Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > North Africa
Mali, Mauri, Burkina Infomation Mali, Mauri, Burkina Infomation
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
North Africa Topics specific to North Africa and the Sahara down to the 17th parallel (excludes Morocco)
Photo by Marc Gibaud, Clouds on Tres Cerros and Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia

25 years of HU Events


Destination ANYWHERE...
Adventure EVERYWHERE!




Photo by Marc Gibaud,
Clouds on Tres Cerros and
Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia



Trans Sahara Routes.

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 17 Oct 2014
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 7
Hello hello,

Thanks everyone for taking the time time reply with your thoughts. I'm setting off to Dover and beyond this Monday!

Regarding selling in Mauri, I had my car stamped into my passport last time down (2006) but there were plenty of sellers and buyers around.

Quote:
Originally Posted by burden View Post
There are several border crossings between Mauri & Mali, where the computerised system doesn't exist and where they charge you only 5.000 or 10.000 fcfa (depending which one you choose) for a "laissez-passer" to enter Mali.
Hello Burden, this is very interesting indeed. Do you know if the Selibaby-Melgue crossing still of the old-fashioned un-computerised sort? Does anyone have any opinions on the safety of this little corner of Mali lately?

Always looking for an excuse for a bit of off-road!

Much obliged once again,
Matt
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 18 Oct 2014
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Sweden
Posts: 1,466
Melgue doesn't have electrickity, and certainly no computers.
Safety is no problem whatsoever. Lovely drive through baobab forests and quaint villages.
There is a military post in Melgue where they sometimes demand you take an escort.
On the Mauri side there is now both customs and gendarmes, so you can do all formalities here. Mali side, only customs, you get the laisser-passer and insurance if you need it, in Kayes.
Last edited by priffe; 23 Oct 2014 at 10:51.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 22 Oct 2014
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 65
Melgue is presently super un-computerised , event though of course there are computers in Melgue and quite soon G3-internet connection too.
In my experience the Mali gendarmes always insists on escorting you (since the day the french guy got kidnapped in Diema). It is not much, if negotiated properly - a per diem in Mali is 4.000 fcfa per day, you get two gendarmes so it makes 8.000, roughly 12.5 euros. They might want you to pay they return too, but then insist on not paying full per diems, as the trip only takes 2 - 4 hours. The more you keep to the left, the nicer the landscape and the easier the piste which is easy anyway, only quite dusty sometimes.
There is another option - skipping Melgue and the gendarmes issue: from Selibaby to Baediam and on to Aourour and then right to Kayes.
This year has seen some extraordinary rainfall in the region: we had to wait 3 full days end of july for the border "river" (usually not more than a trickle) to subside, and even then it was solid 60 cm of water. Lesson learned - the said river is drainage for the entire Kiffa basin. When it rains there it will take 48 hours before the river swells, even if there's been no rain in the immediate vicinity.
However, by now the rains should be practically over.
Voila, enjoy
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 23 Oct 2014
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Sweden
Posts: 1,466
Baediam is north of Melgue. Last trip with the new Mauri border post (gendarmes and customs) in Melgue, they wouldn't let us do the formalities in Selibaby and asked us to go to Melgue.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 23 Oct 2014
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 65
Quote:
Originally Posted by priffe View Post
Baediam is north of Melgue. Last trip with the new Mauri border post (gendarmes and customs) in Melgue, they wouldn't let us do the formalities in Selibaby and asked us to go to Melgue.
When was your last trip? On my last trip end of july, we did customs formalities in Selibaby (with the usual attempt to squeeze 10 euros out of us for leaving the country . The douanes guy in Melgue on the other hand didn't seem to be very interested in work.
In any case Baediam - Aourou is a legit and very possible option ... in my experience at least.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 24 Oct 2014
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Sweden
Posts: 1,466
Last trip was in January. Gendarmes asked us to go to Melgue, and they called the border post to let them know we were coming.
Once out of Selibaby, there is otherwise a multitude of tracks going to Mali. I would like to take some time going south another trip, closer to river Senegal.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 24 Oct 2014
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 65
Quote:
Originally Posted by priffe View Post
Last trip was in January. Gendarmes asked us to go to Melgue, and they called the border post to let them know we were coming.
Once out of Selibaby, there is otherwise a multitude of tracks going to Mali. I would like to take some time going south another trip, closer to river Senegal.
Gendarmes? So you didn't even go to Selibaby douane?
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 24 Oct 2014
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Sweden
Posts: 1,466
I went there, but like the gendarmes they told me to go straight to Melgue.
Not what I wanted, since this is in interesting piece of land to discover, many remote toucoleur and bambara villages all the way to Kayes, and I would like to feel free to roam.

Btw, just heard they had the first case of ebola in Mali in Kayes.
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 2 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 2 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
WS & North Mauri florence of arabia North Africa 34 29 Aug 2018 05:05
Current situation Westsahara, Mauritania, Mali (Dec 2013) Travelbug North Africa 40 12 Feb 2014 20:20
SW Mali January, 2013 priffe sub-Saharan Africa 0 18 Jan 2013 23:53
Touareg rebellion in Mali is on priffe North Africa 52 23 Nov 2012 07:31
Visa for Mali in Ghana or Burkina Faso possible? voglwuid sub-Saharan Africa 4 8 Feb 2012 11:57

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
Ecuador June 13-15
Bulgaria Mini: June 27-29
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Aug 14-17
Romania: Aug 22-24
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes.
(ONLY US RESIDENTS and currently has a limit of 60 days.)

Ripcord Evacuation Insurance is available for ALL nationalities.


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Every book a diary
Every chapter a day
Every day a journey
Refreshingly honest and compelling tales: the hights and lows of a life on the road. Solo, unsupported, budget journeys of discovery.
Authentic, engaging and evocative travel memoirs, overland, around the world and through life.
All 8 books available from the author or as eBooks and audio books



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 14:48.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top