Bamako-Nouakchott
 

After so many years in West Africa, it's time for a ride back home. I am planning to drive my Suzuki Jimmy (2000, petrol) from Ghana to Holland. It'll be me (mom), together with my 8 year old son. We'll take the easier routes (Atlantic) and it'll be rainy: from halfway June untill end of July. All tips and remarks are welcome. A few specific questions:
1. I'm wondering whether to go: Bamako- Kayes-northern Senegal- St. Louiss-Nouakchott. Or: Bamako-Nema (or Nioro-Ayoun)- Nouakchott. Any tips on both routes (rainy) as well as places to visit?
2. Looking for other people to team up with, here and there
3. Any tips for the car?

Hi Mana
I went from Bamako to Noukchott six weeks ago. Be careful of petrol shortages in Ayoun El Atrous and Kiffa. There was plenty of diesel, but there had been no petrol in Kiffa for a week. The impression I got was that such shortages happen fairly regularly. I had to pay a ridiculous amount of money to a man who had a stock pile of petrol in his garden shed.
Mike

and of course if your car is over 5 years old chances are you wont be able to go through senegal anyway..

...unless you have a carnet!

aha !
i don't drive and don't own a car
i don't know what a carnet is
i think i should probably leave this to the people who know what they're talking about... http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/smile.gif

NOOOOOOO!! patonki..travel without a vehicle and pre knowledge..you'll have fun!!!!go for it!!!
jeff

Hi you all,

As for me, I did some rainy season driving in upper Burkina last year without any preparation (near Gorom Gorom) and in retrospect I still wonder how I managed not to get stuck in the middle of nowhere, without any other car in sight. Indeed it's great fun. But with the kid I might want to prepare a bit this time (although he was with us that time too and prooved a good stone-carrier).

The more I read about it, the more I want to do the southern route between Bamako and Kayes (in Mali): via Kita and Bafoulabe.
- Again my question: is it possible in rainy season? Who has the latest?
- One person mentioned putting the car on the train at Mahina to Kayes. Does anybody know about that?

Thank you!
Mana

Ah yeah, the carnet business..

It seems I don't need a carnet since I'm driving under an African Licenes plate. As far as the info goes: "Most African countries don't need..." etc.
I haven't found a list of those 'most countries' yet, so if anybody has this info into details, it'll be good.

Otherwise, I do have some other look-a-like of a car-passport, so it should safe me a lot of trouble. I hope.

Mana