Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > North Africa
Security Situation Western Sahara / Mauritania Security Situation Western Sahara / Mauritania
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.

Like Tree10Likes

Reply
Page 2 of 2 1 2
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #16  
Old 30 Sep 2015
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: La Rioja
Posts: 34
Hi. I will start tomorrow the piste towards Atar. I am pretty scared about the sand but will try very calmly on my own...
Will tell you more...
__________________
Whatever you are criticized for, do it, because that is what you are!
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 2 Oct 2015
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: La Rioja
Posts: 34
Sorry and happy to write that I had to quit.
By far it has been the most dangerous place I have known.
For me it was impossible to deal with the sand carrying so much water and gasoline for 650 kms of nothing.
I tried to make it by the railroad but it seemed very easy to get a puncture and the train passing almost toaching me scared me to death.
Spent three hours for 30 kms and saw nobody. When it was flat I tried the piste but always ended surrounded with sand and falling, taking everything off the bike to lift it watching the precious gasoline spilll. Dehidratation would have come very fast.
Will never try anything like that.
Attached Thumbnails
Security Situation Western Sahara / Mauritania-20151001_103450.jpg  

Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 2 Oct 2015
Chris Scott's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2000
Posts: 4,932
That's a difficult track to do alone on a loaded bike, even if the nav is easy.
I remember even in November we had to stop to let the cars cool down.

You know you can put it on a train to Choum, like they used to do with 2WDs before the road to NKT.
Attached Thumbnails
Security Situation Western Sahara / Mauritania-img_3164.jpg  

Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 3 Oct 2015
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: La Rioja
Posts: 34
Gracias Chris. Yes I knew about the train but had to try for myself.
Found a very special auberge in Nouakchott, just 500 meters North of the port de peche, by the beach. Impossible to miss, with huts and restaurant and perfect to visit the port just walking the beach.
__________________
Whatever you are criticized for, do it, because that is what you are!
Reply With Quote
  #20  
Old 5 Oct 2015
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 24
Hi there,


I too plan to travel from Morocco to Senegal. To me the easiest way looks like following the coast line. i.e. Tah-> El Aajun->Dakhla->Nouadhibou->Nouhakchott->Rosso.

Would that be a good option safety wise?

Thanks for the help.

Cheers
Adrian.
Reply With Quote
  #21  
Old 5 Oct 2015
Chris Scott's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2000
Posts: 4,932
It's by far the easiest: tarmac all the way.

There are tracks inland in the Western Sahara part of Morocco (good report here - quad fuel mule needed) but if you mean safety in terms of falling off and hurting yourself, better to stick the the road.

Tracks also lead inland once in Mauritania but, as you read above, hard work alone on a bike due to the fuel range needed.

If you mean safety as in getting kidnapped by AQIM-type gangs, it's never happened in Morocco and exceedingly unlikely in Mauritania now if you stick to the highway where checkpoints will rush you on from Nouadhibou->Nouhakchott in a day. It will be over before you know it.
The Brit FCO's current 'red zone' on the WS-Mori border is not helpful.

You may find Diama crossing downstream from Rosso less aggro. See the sub-Sahara forum. No visa now for Senegal, as you may know.
Reply With Quote
  #22  
Old 6 Oct 2015
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Moscow, Russia
Posts: 48
I have to admit that info about "no need visa to Senegal" is not correct. It works only for EU citizens. For me (russian) and for one of the travellers I met (swiss guy) visa is still required. And NO, they don't give visa at the border, only in embassy.

And no matter that they cancelled visa payments - you will pay "service fee" at the embassy which is 10800 ougiyas (~40 euro) in Nouakchott for example.

Speaking about Diama - it is more easy to cross border here, BUT. You have to go through national park. Which is leads to 2 things. 1) You will pay entry fee (not at the entrance, but in the middle, at police checkpoint). 2) You got to be a tough enduro guy if there was rain days before, because 20km of road is MUD.

As for about Rosso border cross - don't mess with any helper. Official ferry price is 40 ougiyas (~11 eurocents) and every other prices is bullshit (we met one guy who paid 5000 ougiyas for nothing, he even doesn't get his ticket). The border control will try to make money out of you so it's your decision - to wait or to pay. We decided to wait and it tooks 1,5 day.
Reply With Quote
  #23  
Old 6 Mar 2017
Horserider's Avatar
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: france
Posts: 32
Border west Sahara-Mauretania
I passed there several days ago and notice any securety issues at the border. Take a fixer - Arturo is a good one probybly 50 years old.

The only astonishing thing was a Polisario stop just after no mansland. We made pictures and had fun with them. Nice guys.

Edwin
Reply With Quote
  #24  
Old 20 Mar 2017
Horserider's Avatar
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: france
Posts: 32
Polisario
Update: my french friends just passed again the border and had this time troubles with polisario. My friend did have a sticker of Marocco on his hard case. Polisario forced him under gun fire to take it of, he sticked it on the polisario car and than they exploded, immediatly the UN forces came to calm down the incident, nobody understood why a stupid sticker can make them furious!
It's sensible there, take care, laugh as we did the way to etc.!!

It happened the 19th of march 2017
Reply With Quote
  #25  
Old 7 Jan 2018
Chris Scott's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2000
Posts: 4,932
Tensions returning to Guergarat
https://translate.googleusercontent....itz7-Vibd-L3-g
Reply With Quote
  #26  
Old 11 Mar 2019
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 2,134
I spent a week riding around in "the southern provinces of Morocco' (Western Sahara) during January 2019. I didn't go further south than Dhakla, and I didn't go off paved roads. But I did ride around quite a bit there.

In my opinion, the former Western Sahara (in fact, all of Morocco) is safer than a small village in rural Switzerland. The police have the area very well controlled, there are traffic stops about every 50 km on the main roads, and at the entrances to towns. The police are very polite & efficient - they recognize you are a tourist, have a quick look at your passport, and wish you a good voyage.

The main road down to Dhakla was in the final stages of being totally rebuilt when I was there. When it gets finished, it will be on par with any Swiss or German roadway - level, smooth, well engineered, and good sightlines.

I have no knowledge of Mauritania, I did not go south of Dhakla.

Michael
Reply With Quote
Reply
Page 2 of 2 1 2

« 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
Western Sahara offroad trip DTec Morocco 9 18 Sep 2014 16:49
Return to the Western Sahara TheWarden 4 Wheels Travel Reports 12 21 Jul 2014 23:35
Call to boycott Morocco over Western Sahara human rights violations. davidlomax Morocco 9 4 May 2014 21:27
Western Sahara Inlands - a guidebook for 4x4 overlanders vrecha Morocco 16 2 Apr 2014 07:48
Vehicle parts in western sahara and mauritania The 3Dj North Africa 8 29 Jun 2013 13:20

 
 

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 23:57.

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