Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > North Africa
Rumours at Adventure Travel Show - True? Rumours at Adventure Travel Show - True?
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 Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

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


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



Trans Sahara Routes.

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 16 Jan 2005
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Somerset, Great Britain
Posts: 471
Rumours at Adventure Travel Show - True?
Been to Olympia (London) today, and heard a couple of things, both not good:

1. I asked a chap on the Maroc Tourism stand whether the tarmac was complete out the bottom of Western Sahara, to which he replied it was, BUT that the Dakhla convoys have just resumed! Apparently because the Polissario have got the hump having not being consulted about the Dakar rally.

2. Apparently even Tunisia may be introducing compulsory guides for expeditions to certain areas, due to haveing to rescue too many people, presumably package holidaymakers hiring 4x4's etc. Perhaps not too serious a loss though?

Not sure how accurate either of this info is, it's just what I picked up today...

Listened to Charley Boorman chatting about his "Long Way Round" - apparently Mr McGregor was too busy filming in LA to attend, but had said he would rather have been recounting his adventures to us than acting. I know they weren't excactly self-sufficient, but I have to say that (not having satellite) watching the all 7 episodes of the DVD on Christmas afternoon was the best Christmas viewing I've ever had! May be doing a "Long Way Down" next to Capetown.

------------------
www.aslc43.dsl.pipex.com
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 16 Jan 2005
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 11
I do not think there is any convoy from Dakhla to Mauri , you can go to this website http://www.plymouth-dakar.co.uk/
and click on "News From The Field" where you can find fresh infos on cars just crossing the border in this same hours ....Polisario is dead long time ago , asking for theire persmission to allow the rally Paris Dakar to cross Morocco is some kind of funny joke...
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 17 Jan 2005
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Bath, UK
Posts: 30
I was in Dubai recently and i was *told* that to drive on the sand dunes you MUST have a special Dunes Driving License which you can only get after a 2 week course. I believe it was true but would be happier if someone independently confirmed that. Could be starting a worrying trend.

Either way it wouldn't surprise me if they stopped independent travelers from going to the Tunisian desert as pissing off non-package tourists isn't as big a financial risk as losing the big spenders in the sand....

Basically the moral of the story is if you want to do anything independently that a nanny state would get it's nappy in a twist about DO IT NOW. There are a lot of examples where we've lost our freedom in the name of our safety.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 17 Jan 2005
Chris Scott's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2000
Posts: 4,913
IMO the calibre of desert travellers in Tunisia is not always the same as those who venture into the central Sahara - they dont necessarily prepare or take it that seriously, it being short range. The Grand Erg in southern Tunisia is small dunes, nasty, difficult terrain, to go there for a laugh in the wrong season is asking for trouble (I suspect the same may be true in the Emirates, etc).
Like in Morocco, I bet there are a lot more tourist rescues required than in central Sahara (where there's no one to rescue you anyway!). So I think the Tunes have a point. The question is, if it happens, will they be real guides who know the desert or just escorts to fit in with the regs. (NB. As far as I know, southern Tun has always been restricted anyway).

Chris S

(Dont all rush to Maurttania at once!)
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 17 Jan 2005
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Edinburgh
Posts: 762
over the past 6 weeks I've come down the western sahara route. the one bit of advice (other than fuel/water) is to take expert advice with a pinch of salt. Perfect roads to one person is another's nightmare.

Just get going and see what's there when you arrive. There was no finished road when I passed 2 weeks ago, and no convoy.

[This message has been edited by DougieB (edited 18 January 2005).]
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 17 Jan 2005
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: London
Posts: 34
Just completed the Plymouth Dakar

The roads are ok down to Maurittania. The road in Maurittania from nouakochott to nuadibou is to a degree complete but not all sealed in Tarmac, but one can drive on the road base. Its a little like driving over corrugations though in some places. We chose to do the lot off road through the desert and along the beach with a guide. Guide cost 250 euros between 6 cars. You can get waypoints off the web for the route and they will suffice. The desert is not difficult terrain. I did the route in a 2CV and we also took a 1971 Bedford ice cream van which had no problems.

In Senegal at Diama they requires 60 euros per car for an escort through the country plus 10 euros to look at your passport. Senegals a pain with the officials.

Hope that helps
__________________
Ashley Scott
Ashley (dot) scott at EDAW (dot) com
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 17 Jan 2005
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Somerset, Great Britain
Posts: 471
Looks like the Maroc Tourism guy had his facts wrong then - thankfully!

------------------
www.aslc43.dsl.pipex.com
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

 
 

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

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. 11-15
  • 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 09:28.

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