Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > North Africa
Mauritania-Mali (unusual) border crossing... Mauritania-Mali (unusual) border crossing...
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 Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Trans Sahara Routes.

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 28 Jan 2011
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Athens, Greece
Posts: 20
Mauritania-Mali (unusual) border crossing...
Hi to all fellow travelers!

I'm planning a bike trip, with a friend of mine, to Mauritania and Mali for April-May 2011. I'd like to ask for your help on my following questions in order to determine the itinerary of the trip:
1. Has anyone done Atar-Tidjikja piste (R10 according to Chris) on bike recently? What is its actual length (kms from map to map differ)? Is it possible in 2 days?
2. Nema(Mauri) to Timbuktu(Mali) through Fassala Nere (border crossing)? Has anyone followed this route? Is this border open? What is the condition of piste from Nema to Fassala and then Lere-Nianfouke?
3. I'm looking for actual inputs for bike shipping by air from Bamako? It 'd be very helpful to specify the air company, local agent, full cost, preparation (crating?) and to which european destination of course! I know about azfreight.com but I'd like your personal experience?

Thank you in advance,
jumaru
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 28 Jan 2011
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: London
Posts: 542
Atar to Tidjikja is possible in two days on a motorbike if you push. April-May will be very hot, so I would allow at least 10 litres of water per person per day.

The piste is about 400kms, but you should take fuel for at least 450kms, as there are several sections of the track that are not easy to follow (particularly around the Suzuki wreck), and therefore there is a good chance you might do a few extra kms taking detours. The fuel in jerry cans at Tidjikja used to be terrible - check the quality before you buy.

This trip report is from the start of 2007. Possibly others can comment if they have done the piste more recently.

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...tidjikja-24983

There are a couple of older posts about the piste from Nema to Timbuktu route if you search the HUBB. As I am sure you are aware there is a lot of AQIM-related instability in this border area.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 29 Jan 2011
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Bedfordshire UK
Posts: 54
Four of us are planning to do the same route in Nov 2011 (political situation allowing) so I would be keen to hear how you get on.

Keep us posted, and if you manage to update any waypoints that would be even better

Good luck
__________________
Kev
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 31 Jan 2011
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Manchester, UK
Posts: 349
You should speak to Richard Kempley from beast of burden expeditions. We rode an expedition that way on Salt and Gold 2009 but he was back that way recently with his Salt and Gold 2010 tour. He has been that way more often than anyone I know and usually seems to have inside info on the the state of security etc etc as well as fuel availability etc.

Dave
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 31 Jan 2011
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Athens, Greece
Posts: 20
Hi Dave!
How can I speak to Richard?
Should I sent a mail to beast-of-burden-contact "generally"?
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 31 Jan 2011
Chris Scott's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2000
Posts: 4,932
I would stay clear of Nema - Tim border crossing. Doubt they will even let you go there at the moment. Just a few months ago the Mori army was coming off worse with AQIM in battles around here and even before all that it was sketchy. (See this, a few days later).
Do the crossing south of Nema (Nara?) then Lere Nianfouke. That was mostly a fine wide piste 25 years ago. It cant be much worse now.

Ch
Last edited by Chris Scott; 2 Feb 2011 at 09:15.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 3 Feb 2011
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Manchester, UK
Posts: 349
try mail(at)b-o-b(dot)co(dot)uk. Let me know if you dont get a reply.

Dave
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 4 Feb 2011
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Athens, Greece
Posts: 20
Thank you Matt and Chris for your helpful replies!

Dave, I followed your advice mailing to b-o-b.co.uk!
Waiting a reply...
Thanks anyway!
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 8 Feb 2011
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Manchester, UK
Posts: 456
You can still leave Mauri and enter Mali this way. But I would reiterate the advice above to AVOID this border area.There is just too much going on there at the moment and there are safer options to the West.

Atar-Tidjikja unsupported in the heat of May, might also be too much. I think once you make your calcs (50+kg liquid load?) you may find yourself drawn further North where there are shorter and equally exciting runs to be had.
__________________
Pictures, Mauritania 2011
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 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
border crossing between Mauritania and Mali It begins with Africa sub-Saharan Africa 2 20 Sep 2009 21:01
from mali to mauritania - border crossing by car - where to get insurance detnol North Africa 1 25 Jul 2008 14:35
Crossing to Mali from Mauritania yorks-lad North Africa 6 7 Jan 2008 11:21
Mauritania-Mali crossing traveller sub-Saharan Africa 1 27 Oct 2007 12:37
Mauritania/Mali crossing wilco North Africa 3 2 Oct 2005 18:37

 
 

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 2025
Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
CanWest: July 10-13 2025
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21 2025
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

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.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

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 travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

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!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



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 02:21.

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