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**ferdi** · #1 22 Jan 2019

Hello,

I am looking for an offical border crossing in the triangle Mauritania/Mali/Senegal. The route from Kankossa to Kayes I know, but there are no customs on the Mali side (only in Kayes). The immigration in Aourou told me two years before, that the customs are near the border in Sansangé ( or in the region).

Somebody knows more?

Thanks.
Ferdi

**simon dippenhall** · #2 22 Jan 2019

Ferdi

Last February I crossed going south from Ayoun el Atrous to Gogui (border point) and on to Diema. Picture below of the area.

From memory the customs was at Gogui.

Border crossing Mauitania/Mali near Kayes-img_2492.jpg

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**priffe** · #3 22 Jan 2019

The customs after Kankossa is near the border and easy to miss. If you drive on to Aourou they are likely to send you back to the border.
This in spite of the douane at Melgue being closer by. The gendarme doing the passeports was unusually formal and correct for Mali.

This is a very nice part of Africa to drive through.

**ferdi** · #4 23 Jan 2019

Thank you Jon.

Melgue is the village! I know Gogui since last year. The Karakoro basin is a very nice region like the Mare of Kankossa. So I will try to pass from Sélibaby to Aourou via Melgue. I will report if there are still malien customs.

Have a look on the map at page 11 in that document:

https://www.oecd.org/countries/mauritania/42071670.pdf

Greetings (from snowy Freiburg)

Ferdi

**priffe** · #5 24 Jan 2019

Coming from Selibaby, you have customs and passport done in Melgue on the Mauretanian side. But ask in Selibaby before you go, one time the customs guy never showed up which gave me a minor headache the next trip (they wanted a €4000 fine for the missing stamp).

On the Mali side, customs is in Melgue and you do the passports in Kayes.

**ferdi** · #6 24 Jan 2019

Hello Jon,

i changed my passeport every year (expensive in GER, 26 Euro for one year), because of the missing stamp of mauritanian exit for the vehicle ;-)

Greetings

Jon

**Bartosz** · #7 28 Jan 2019

Last year I crossed border in Kankossa and first I got on custom check point in Bafafora. Good night there with good chicken made by soldiers and next day stamp passeports in Aourou.
Few weeks ago I crossed border in Mbout (close to Serinati) and there is a ****ing corupt soldier, they give you assist to Kayes for 25 EUR (no chance to negotiate), but they don't care of stamps or anything and lead you to Kayes and you are absulutly free.
It depends of you, if you like paying this bastards it is ok, if not you will not win. The truth is that even this soldiers can't find route to Kayes.
I did the route 2 times (and paid 2 times) so I now that is difficult to find good track.
The corrupt gang is only on this border, so it depends on your choose.
The rest part of this area is free of corrupt bastards. If you can pass them few km you will free.
Don't bother of stamps in passeports. Noone will look for your passport in Mali.

**priffe** · #8 29 Jan 2019

I think you mean Melgue. Mbout is an hour north of Selibaby.

The gendarmes in Melgue usually ask if you want an escort, their leader often a tuareg captain. I always politely decline.
Some years ago, I heard they would insist. Then I bypassed the gendarme posts all the way to Kayes. Try sneaking away south along the river, beautiful drive in the baobab forest.
The problem you may have is the checkpoint on the bridge over Fleuve Senegal. Park the car and walk up to see if it is manned.

Only time I took an escort in Mali was many years ago, from Sevaré to Douentza. "Bandits", they said, but I think they just wanted a lift.
Dont much like escorts.

**Bartosz** · #9 29 Jan 2019

Quote:

Originally Posted by priffe

I think you mean Melgue. Mbout is an hour north of Selibaby.

The gendarmes in Melgue usually ask if you want an escort, their leader often a tuareg captain. I always politely decline.
Some years ago, I heard they would insist. Then I bypassed the gendarme posts all the way to Kayes. Try sneaking away south along the river, beautiful drive in the baobab forest.
The problem you may have is the checkpoint on the bridge over Fleuve Senegal. Park the car and walk up to see if it is manned.

Only time I took an escort in Mali was many years ago, from Sevaré to Douentza. "Bandits", they said, but I think they just wanted a lift.
Dont much like escorts.

you are right: Melgue

It was not possible to decline, the worst is little soldier look like bandit.
First you get to the custom post, then when you drive througt village it is impossible to pass them.

Bridge on the Senegal is only in Kayes, but I don't saw any checkpoint. Maybe I'm wrong (but the bridge is only one).

**ferdi** · #10 26 Feb 2019

Thanks again Jon and Bartosz,

I am just back from Westafrika. The route I took from Selibaby to Kayes is attached, doable with a small car. Everything fine there - no hassle, no convoi, nice landscape.

Greetings from Freiburg
Ferdi