Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Planning, Trip > Route Planning
where to go in West Africa for 5 weeks where to go in West Africa for 5 weeks
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Route Planning Where to go, when, what are the interesting places to see
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Like Tree3Likes
  • 1 Post By CREER
  • 2 Post By Tim Cullis

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 23 Aug 2017
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 28
where to go in West Africa for 5 weeks
Hi,
I'm planning a 5 week West Africa trip in December starting from Geneva. The plan is to dash straight down to Guerguerat and start the real trip from there.

I'm torn between visiting Mauritania or Senegal or Mali. I've already visited Morocco and Western Sahara a few times with a motorcycle and 4x4. I want to see and absorb as much as possible in terms of landscape, wildlife, people and culture.

My initial thoughts were to explore Mauritania (Choum-Nouadhibou, Terjit, Chinguetti, Ouadane, coastline) and Senegal (not sure where yet) or Mauritania and Mali (Timbuktu).

I'm looking for recommendations from experienced travelers on which countries they would visit? Maybe there's somewhere else I can go for 5 weeks?

Thanks
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 23 Aug 2017
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Moossou, Grand Bassam, Cote d'Ivoire
Posts: 285
Stick near Bamako, Timbuktu is seriously off limits these days, I have a friend working up that way with the UN who has a hard time of it and grateful when he's able to get out. You might not be so lucky! You might find it hard work to cross in from Mauritania too ... they might not let you out that way!

Senegal is interesting, some lovely routes, interesting culture but if you've not already seen Mauritania then you'll be blown away! Fantastic scenery (some of it desert obviously but still stunning) the area around Atar/Chinguetti is wonderful. An incredible country with a diverse culture and lovely people ...
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 24 Aug 2017
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 28
Thanks for the advice Creer. I guess I'll stick to Mauritania and Senegal. I'll start researching Senegal more thoroughly. I might be able to extended my holidays for another week. Given this new information, is it worth visiting Gambia?
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 24 Aug 2017
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Moossou, Grand Bassam, Cote d'Ivoire
Posts: 285
Quote:
Originally Posted by seeb View Post
I'll start researching Senegal more thoroughly. I might be able to extended my holidays for another week. Given this new information, is it worth visiting Gambia?
Personally NO, can't stand the place BUT you should try to get down to Casamance, Senegal the other side of Gambia which is stunning and totally different from the northern part of Senegal in terms of lifestyle, a lot more laid back! Try to drop in on The Little Baobab you won't want to leave!!!
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 24 Aug 2017
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 8
The route south of the iron ore train track to Atar is amazing, beautiful wildcamping in the Sahara. Take plenty of fuel, it's about 500KM driving trough the desert, which consumes a lot
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 24 Aug 2017
Tim Cullis's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: London and Granada Altiplano
Posts: 3,124
Quote:
Originally Posted by CREER View Post
Try to drop in on The Little Baobab you won't want to leave!!!
From a post elsewhere... Although Irene and I visited Senegal on motorbike we didn't get as far as the Casamance region which is a pity as we never got to meet Simon and his family. Simon died in June 2017 in a car accident. He was editing the Bradt Guide to the Gambia, was the author of 'Squirting Milk at Chameleons' and 'Chasing Hornbills' and the owner of the Little Baobab guesthouse, Important Update - The Little Baobab

As you will read on the link above, Simon's wife is carrying on with the guest house and the family could do with all the support our community can offer, so I'd echo Creer's suggestion.
Attached Thumbnails
where to go in West Africa for 5 weeks-screen-shot-2017-08-24  

__________________
"For sheer delight there is nothing like altitude; it gives one the thrill of adventure
and enlarges the world in which you live," Irving Mather (1892-1966)
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 25 Aug 2017
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Moossou, Grand Bassam, Cote d'Ivoire
Posts: 285
Thanks Tim, I was worried about advertising so didn't post any links. To have a Super Moderator endorse it is wonderful thank you!

I get snippets of what's happening there, Khady is doing a great job managing it, the boys are unaware of what's really happened.

Simon was an incredible person, his memory and what he was trying to build in Casamance for his family shouldn't be forgotten!!! Still can't believe he's gone!!
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 8 Oct 2017
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Moossou, Grand Bassam, Cote d'Ivoire
Posts: 285
Just to note for anyone wanting to stay at The Little Baobab in Abene, there's a new reservations e-mail address being handled by Simon's family, hope it's ok to post here:

thelittlebaobabreservations AT gmail.com

To ensure your will be chilled on arrival!!!
Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
africa, mali, mauritania, senegal, west africa

« 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
Latin American drug cartels find home in West Africa xfiltrate Travellers' Advisories, Safety and Security on the Road 1 27 Sep 2023 05:46
Comprehensive Guide To West Africa - Without Carnet Wanted sub-Saharan Africa 48 17 Jan 2020 22:50
Apostille for West Africa impala_dk sub-Saharan Africa 7 1 Jul 2016 20:44
West Africa in wet season DR11 sub-Saharan Africa 7 13 Oct 2015 09:04
Africa - down west coast, up east coast, leaving Europe mid-late November regie Travellers Seeking Travellers 3 12 Oct 2015 16:50

 
 

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 16:49.

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