Hi there,
I have just returned from Mauri and Mali - last week in fact (1st Nov 2007). We went in really crap cars some as old as 20-25 years. We had no visas and certainly no carnet. We had absolutely no trouble at all at any of the borders. There is always some conflict in interesting countries - use common sense, relax and enjoy - you are in Africa :-). We paid for temporary 'import' of the vehicles in all the countries we went through Morocco/Mauri and Mali. This was never more than 10 euros. In Mauri we had to pay to exit the country which was weird (3000 Ouiga - or whatever the local currency is) one of our group didn't have the cash so gave the guy a jerry can full of diesel as payment - sweet....
Mali is a fantastic country - very laid back etc. If you are going to take 'gifts' try give them to schools in Mali instead of Mauri - kids in Mauri threw stones at us, but Mali people are amazing and very friendly and helpful - they deserve it more than the Mauri's in my view.
Have a ball.
We met a guy on Triumph who burnt his clutch out in Dakhla, and a local mechanic 'made' him a replacement one which worked a treat - yup made him one!!!! go bush-mechanics go
Cheers
Andrew
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