Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > North Africa
UK to The Gambia and back....quick debrief! UK to The Gambia and back....quick debrief!
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 Lois Pryce, schoolkids in Algeria

25 years of HU Events


Destination ANYWHERE...
Adventure EVERYWHERE!




Photo of Lois Pryce, UK
and schoolkids in Algeria



Trans Sahara Routes.

 
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
Prev Previous Post   Next Post Next
  #1  
Old 17 Jan 2007
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Kent, UK
Posts: 16
UK to The Gambia and back....quick debrief!
A few weeks ago I returned from a motorcycle trip to The Gambia. I travelled on a BMW F650 completing the 8800mile journey in 5 weeks.

This was my first big trip and at the planning stage I used this site extensively to research all the information that I needed plugging the gaps with other sources. I felt it would be handy to offer up a few snippets of information which I would have found handy before I went.

1. Security – I never had a problem with security in any of the countries that I went through even though I was travelling by myself for much of the time.

2. Morocco/Mauritania border – The route through the minefield is easy to follow. There are a number of tracks but you will not have a problem...as long as you stick on the track!

3. Mauritania/Senegal border – The Diama Dam/barrage crossing is still the crossing point of choice! I crossed via Rosso on the way down and lived to tell the tale! The scope for bribes/extortion does seem greater at Rosso however it would appear that the folks at Diama are starting to get greedy and are “upping” their prices as the crossing gets more popular. The piste running to Diama is beautiful, however I had problems finding the start of the piste and consequently got hoodwinked by locals who persuaded that the piste was flooded! For the benefit of others here are the coords for the beginning of the piste: N16˚ 30.739 W015˚ 48.742.

4. Carnet etc! I had a carnet for the trip this was my experience:

Morocco – No carnet required. You will get a number stamped in your passport and a form which you get signed when you take the bike out of Morocco. Cost – zero.

Mauritania – No carnet required. You will get a form which gets handed in to customs when you leave the country Cost – 10 euros. Having said that, on the way back they used my carnet rather than giving me a form!

Senegal – With a carnet they still charged me about 3 euros for the privilege of stamping it! If your vehicle is less than 5 years old it would appear that it is true that you do not need a carnet. In this instance you pay about 20 euros for a temporary import document (laissez passer, I think it is called) which is valid for up to 10 days, single trip. If your vehicle is over 5 years old you have to have a carnet or you can take your chances on someone accepting a big bribe (and I believe they are big!).

Gambia – They stamped my carnet for free. I get the impression that Gambia may apply the same rules as Senegal (after all you can’t get to Gambia without going through Senegal).

5. Insurance –

Morocco – Green card from UK insurers. You will be asked for it before they allow the vehicle in.

Mauritania – I bought insurance from a caravan at the border. You can buy it in Nouadhibou but beware there are Police checkpoints between the border and Nouadhibou where they will ask for insurance paperwork.

Senegal/Gambia – I bought insurance at Rosso which covered me for both countries, but probably got ripped off!

A note on these insurances worth bearing in mind: they really don’t cover much! If you demolish a house with your bike (possible, trust me on that!) or kill a cow you will have to pay for it. What it does do is prevent Policemen from fining you for not having it!

6. Camping – I camped pretty much every night, which was a surprise to me! Even in Mauritania there were Auberges where you can pitch your tent for next to nothing.

7. Fuel – With one exception availabilty of fuel is not a problem, but quality is! There is no unleaded past Laayoune (Western Sahara), and what is available is at best 91 RON. My bike ran OK but suffered a bit of pinking under acceleration. Fuel economy did suffer by about 20% though on bad batches!
There can be fuel shortages is Western Sahara so try to avoid the “I’ll have enough to get to the next fuel station” scenario, as there may not be any petrol when you get there!!

The one bad stretch which has been talked about recently is the 450km from Nouadhibou – Nouakchott on the new desert highway (not on any maps). There are no fuel stations at all, but there are people selling stuff pretending to be petrol on the roadside. Take it at your own risk, it would not be a nice place to get stuck!

There are a million other things I could pass on, but that would take the fun away from the experience!! However, if there is anything specific that someone would like to know then ask away. In the meantime those in the planning/thinking stage may like to check out my online diary at hitthegrit.blogspot.com where you can also find some pictures.

Sorry about the length, hope someone finds it useful!

Safe travels. Stop making excuses and just do it!!

__________________
Major Moto

BMW F650 GS Dakar

http://hitthegrit.blogspot.com/ One man, one bike. Africa 2006.
Last edited by major moto; 27 Jan 2007 at 14:41.
Reply With Quote
 

« 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
Gambia to Mali?? The_Lost_Crusade sub-Saharan Africa 6 23 Dec 2005 16:17
Room in crate from Gambia to UK Gary-TNT Trip Transport 2 1 Mar 2005 17:50
Morocco to Gambia AndySabb North Africa 4 29 Jan 2005 22:26
uk to gambia and back... tips? alan hopkins Route Planning 3 31 Jan 2004 13:09
returning morocco from gambia and carnet info markyneggy North Africa 4 29 Mar 2002 21:23

 
 

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
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
Ecuador June 13-15
Bulgaria Mini: June 27-29
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Aug 14-17
Romania: Aug 22-24
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

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.

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 Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes.
(ONLY US RESIDENTS and currently has a limit of 60 days.)

Ripcord Evacuation Insurance is available for ALL nationalities.


 

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!

Every book a diary
Every chapter a day
Every day a journey
Refreshingly honest and compelling tales: the hights and lows of a life on the road. Solo, unsupported, budget journeys of discovery.
Authentic, engaging and evocative travel memoirs, overland, around the world and through life.
All 8 books available from the author or as eBooks and audio books



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 16:24.

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