Myself and a good mate are planning to do an overland trip to Timbucktu from Ireland. Obviously the route will bring us through France and Spain but after that we would appreciate some help. To us it looks like heading down the Atlantic cost of Morocco, through Moritiana and into Mali. Is this the best route from a safety point of view or is an approach to Timbucktu from the north of Mali practical. Thanks in advance for any help you can give.

Darcy, You have started off on the right foot -you are doing some research into the subject before you leave home. Have you read the information on 'The Atlantic Route' on the sahara-overland web-site ? It is a good start. The information is biased toward those people who are driving in their own vehicle although there is heaps of good advice for those without. -are you bussing/hitching/training, or are you in your own vehicle? If you are going on public transport and hitching, then it may be easier to go Moroc/Mauri/Senegal/Mali, rather than Mauri-Mali direct -although it is possible to do this too. (The train from Dakar to Bamako is a great journey in itself -having gome that way in 1999.) What time of year are you going ? -the middle of summer is not such a good idea -there are far fewer travellers on the route, and carrying enough water can be a problem -although not impossible if you are prepared.

If you are going in your own vehicle then there is plenty of information in Chris Scotts book about vehicle preparation. Vehicle preparation is important as there is no road service.

I would certainly not recommend approaching Timbuktu from the north, unless you know what you are doing and you were experienced -it is an area subject to strife from time to time, besides being true desert with its inherent dangers.

Either way you go, keep up to date with the visa requirements, and plan on how and where you are going to get your visas -again the s-o site is usually up to date. How are you planning to return to Europe (assuming you are not in a vehicle)? There are options to fly from Bamako (Air France -expensive), but the charter airline Point-Afrique flies to Europe from Gao(Mali) (and other places) at some times of the year. It is very good value, having used their services in Jan. 2002 to fly to Paris from Niamey(Niger) See their web-site at www.point-afrique.com

Finally, -when you get to Timbuktu -stay there a few days -it is a place that grows on you with time. Good luck.



[This message has been edited by Alistair (edited 18 February 2003).]

Gibraltar is a worthwhile stop off for a decent pint after Spain. The ferry crossing to Morocco from Algeciras to Tangier is less hassly than the one from Algeciras to Ceuta. Avoid northern urban Morocco if you arent keen on hassle - central Morocco, all the Atlas ranges and the Rif are hospitable and fun, as are the Saharan villages on the other side of the Atlas.
Not sure what the political situation south of Morocco is right now, the Lonely Planet site is usually fairly good on that.

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Take nothing but photographs, leave nothing but wheeltracks..... tread lightly.

Hello,
Me and my Landy 110 Td5 and another couple in their Toymota did London/Timbuktu/London over March/02, just as the then mandatory convoy going south between Morocco/Western Sahara and Mauritania had finished.
We did the round trip in 5 weeks as it was all the time we could spare. I would suggest this is a bear minimum duration, as it involved 8-12 hours driving per day with very few rest days or time for looking around - very tiring. We planned and prepared carefully to save time...
The main problems are:
1/ Time of year, need to pick time slot between too hot and potential swampy approaching Timbuktu.
2/ Minefields between Western Sahara and Mauritania - know where they are..!
3/ Bandit activity - story then was avoid north and east of Timbuktu, but check to hear latest...
If you haven't already, get yourself the Michelin 953 for route planning.
Basic route is Marrakesh, Agadir, Atlantic coast of Morocco and south to Dahkla - roads to this point are very good but often with slow lorries. South towards border with Mauri. No real road through no man's land (beware mines) to Nouadhibou. Then 2-3 days pure desert and beach (beware tides) driving to Nouakchott. Then roughly east to Nema which is generally good tarmac with some broken up patches, so stay alert.
South over border to Mali and Nara. A lot of grading and improvements here as long as you take the 'newer' western side route. After this you could go south to Bamako or try east to Sokolo, but finding seasonally shifting tracks via the latter is difficult and slow going. If you go down to Bamako (corrugated road to hell) and then head NE, initially the roads are OK, but track finding starts to get difficult.
Not the most scenic of Saharan trips, but gives a great sense of achievement...
Must dash now, but by all means e.mail me james.gj.stephenson@bt.com with any questions that I will try to answer...

Good luck

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Best regards,
James Stephenson
Land Rover Defender 130 camper
www.JamesUK.net