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North Africa Topics specific to North Africa and the Sahara down to the 17th parallel (excludes Morocco)
Photo by Sean Howman, The Pamir highway in an unseasonably cold late October, Tajikistan

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


Photo by Sean Howman,
The Pamir highway in an unseasonably
cold late October, Tajikistan



Trans Sahara Routes.

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  #1  
Old 16 Jul 2004
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Nouakchott To Timbuktu
We are travelling to the music festival in Timbuktu from Nouakchott, is this route ok by 2 wheel drive car and approx what is the travelling time.Any advice on the best route would be helpfull.
Can the Mali visa be bought on the border the same as Mauri. Are there any problems with leaving the car in Mali, and what is the fuel situation.
Cheers
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  #2  
Old 16 Jul 2004
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I can't help with information about a suggested route from Nouakchott to Timbuktu. I suggest that you get the Mali visa in Nouakchott, -I don't think you can get it at the border.
The road from Mopti to Timbuktu is quite rough, and its condition is variable. A problem for you may be getting from Timbuktu to the site of the Festival-au-Desert at Essakane. The 65 km route from Timbuktu to Essakane is little more than a sandy track. Most people go by 4WD over this section. I am not sure that a 2WD would get there very easily. Have a great time at the Festival.
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  #3  
Old 19 Jul 2004
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Hi Alister
Thank you for the advice, we will think of you when we are stuck in the sand.
Cheers
Alan
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  #4  
Old 19 Jul 2004
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Also heading to the festival. Maybe see you on route or in Nouakchott looking for visas.

How long are you taking to get down there?

cheers,
Doug
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  #5  
Old 19 Jul 2004
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Hi
We are leaving Marbella on the 26th and taking approx six days to Nouakchott, we have done the route to the Gambia for the last two years and it is a simple drive.
How many days are you planning to take from Nouakchott to Timbuktu ?.
Cheers
Alan
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  #6  
Old 19 Jul 2004
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A 2WD will not get all the way to Essakane. We saw several 2WD's left by the route. The last bit has several largeand deep sand hills that were difficult enough for loaded 4WD.

Petrol (diesel) available in Timbuktu. Don't know if gasoline (gasol) is. Doubt it.

The route from Mopti to Timbuktu will also be very difficult with lost of deep sand ruts
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  #7  
Old 20 Jul 2004
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Fuel is available in Douentza, approx 220 km south of Timbuktu. It is on the main road from Bamako to Gao (asphalted).
Fuel is probably also available in Timbuktu if you ask around.
Road from Douentza up north is gravel and before the river Niger some sand but road work was done last autumn. Off piste driving is possible.

I crossed from Mauritania via A'youn to Nioro in Mali last autumn, road work was done but some parts was difficult after rain.
From Nioro (fuel stations) some rough pistes but then good gravel roads and finally asphalt to Bamako.
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  #8  
Old 21 Jul 2004
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Thank You to everyone for the info.
Cheers
Alan
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  #9  
Old 25 Aug 2004
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Quote:
Originally posted by alanavr:
Are there any problems with leaving the car in Mali, and what is the fuel situation.
Cheers
Any answers to his question about leaving the car in Mali?
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  #10  
Old 25 Aug 2004
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Hi Alan
I did this run a few months ago. I went via Kiffa, Nema and then south East to Bassikounou and intoMali at Lernep and on to Timbuktu via Goundam. In fact I am off there again this next Monday for another little explore.
That route at this time of year will be difficult for a 2wd. as it is very wet in spots and there are deep ruts cut in the wet season. The sandy areas are not to bad but maybe some wet areas and ground clearance will be your undoing.
There is a newly built elevated rough dirt road to Timbuktu which heads north from Douentza which should be good all year round.
Fuel fill up at Sevare and Douentza you can fuel in Timbuktu with out a problem but expensive.
As for leaving a car. Depends are you on a carnet and where to you plan to leave it.

Cheers Stanley
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  #11  
Old 25 Aug 2004
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Quote:
Originally posted by Stanley:
Hi Alan
I did this run a few months ago. I went via Kiffa, Nema and then south East to Bassikounou and intoMali at Lernep and on to Timbuktu via Goundam. In fact I am off there again this next Monday for another little explore.
That route at this time of year will be difficult for a 2wd. as it is very wet in spots and there are deep ruts cut in the wet season. The sandy areas are not to bad but maybe some wet areas and ground clearance will be your undoing.
There is a newly built elevated rough dirt road to Timbuktu which heads north from Douentza which should be good all year round.
Fuel fill up at Sevare and Douentza you can fuel in Timbuktu with out a problem but expensive.
As for leaving a car. Depends are you on a carnet and where to you plan to leave it.

Cheers Stanley
Hi Stanley
Thank you for the info, we will have the car in our passport without a carnet, do you think this will cause any problems.
We would like to off load the car in Bamako.
When are you passing Southern Spain as we could meet up and i will buy you a .
Cheers
Alan
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  #12  
Old 25 Aug 2004
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I have never sold a car in Bamako/Mali but thera re a lot of folks that do who only have the car in their past port. Look for smoking Conteneintal types in older Peugeots on route for your most up to date info on selling cars.
I fly to Ghana and then head north from there.
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  #13  
Old 25 Aug 2004
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Quote:
Originally posted by Stanley:
I have never sold a car in Bamako/Mali but thera re a lot of folks that do who only have the car in their past port. Look for smoking Conteneintal types in older Peugeots on route for your most up to date info on selling cars.
I fly to Ghana and then head north from there.
Have a good trip and if you get any more up to date info please let me know.
All the best
Alan
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  #14  
Old 3 Dec 2005
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Quote:
Originally posted by Stanley:

I did this run a few months ago. I went via Kiffa, Nema and then south East to Bassikounou and intoMali at Lernep and on to Timbuktu via Goundam.
Hi Stanley!
Could you send me gps points for this part Nema - Bassikounou - Lernep - Goundam? thanks. Sorry for my english have a nice travels
gregor

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  #15  
Old 7 Dec 2005
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Hi Stanly,

Did you this also the other way aroud: from to Timbuctu to Nema? Is this easily done? How did/do you handle with the Mauratian authorities coming from the Mali border.
Are the patrols on this route sofar you know?

thanks Roelant
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