Atlantic route is probably the best bet at present, given the serious security problems in Algeria with the various kidnappings and the unknown timescale for security to return.

The bombing in Morocco look isolated. Its no different to going to the US after 9/11. The country in general still looks fine. There has been an attempted coup in Mauritania but this has been stopped and you should have a good indication as to whether it is settled by the time you go.

A note re the advice in the log above, whilst convoys may form as travellers meet up, there is no longer a formal convoy from Dakla down to the border and over. On the positive side, this means you can go straight down to the border, do the paper work there and continue without having to spend a couple of days in Dakla. On the downside, the requirement to form a convoy at Dakla used to be a good place to meet other travellers to continue south with but thats life. Now you will need to try and meet up in Camping grounds etc if you are looking for other vehicles to travel with - a good idea given your choice of vehicle.

We met several other travellers in two wheel drive vehicles - ford escort, old fairly long mercedes, etc, they all made it though arbeit a bit battered.

Re visas, you can get them in advance, or as we did go to Rabat for 5 days and getting a number of West African ones from there.

RE Nigeria - whilst there are religous problems there, I'm not aware of them being any worse now than for example a year ago. Plenty of travellers go through Nigeria, it can be a bit dodgy but there is also a large expat community in Lagos. So providing your aware its a reasonably tough country to be in, I'm not aware of any pariticular reason for further concern.

Have a good trip.