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Cap Skirring to Varela Cap Skirring to Varela
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sub-Saharan Africa Topics specific to sub-Saharan Africa. (Includes all countries South of 17 degrees latitude)
Photo by Stefan Thiel of Mark Hammond crossing a river in NW Mongolia

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


Photo by Stefan Thiel, of
Mark Hammond crossing
a river in NW Mongolia



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  • 1 Post By CREER
  • 1 Post By SimonF

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  #1  
Old 23 May 2015
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Question Cap Skirring to Varela
Still in the planning phase of our upcoming trip around Africa due to start in October this year I now stumbled about the following question and hope anyone could give an advice on that...

Is it possible to drive directly from Cap Skirring to Varela by 4x4 (proposed route by T4A) or do you need to go via Sao Domingos (like all Internet info and Michelin proposes)?

And has anyone driven the road lately? Some indication on the road condition?

Thanks!
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  #2  
Old 24 May 2015
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Location: Moossou, Grand Bassam, Cote d'Ivoire
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It is possible, certainly along the beach at low-tide. However immigration formalities could be interesting as there's nothing on the Varela side (not sure about Cap Skirring but I'm sure the police would do it for you).

If you're off to Varela to stay at Chez Helene, very sadly Fatima died a month ago I believe Franco is still there although he may be back & forth to Italy/Portugal.

The road from Sao Domingos is a lot better than it used to be, quite well graded these days & thankfully the bridge is now stable after all Fatima's efforts!!
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  #3  
Old 24 May 2015
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Thanks for your helpful reply!! Seems I have to consider going via Sao Domingos - entering Bissau illegally would probably be too much of adventure
And its very good to hear that the bridge is stable now, as I saw some pics of the broken bridge already.

Sad news about Fatima though...

BTW does it make sense to go to both Cap Skirring and Varela or is it basically same-same as that there are less tourists in Cap Skirring nowadays? And which one would be the nicer spot for some relaxing days on a beautiful beach?
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Old 24 May 2015
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I've been to Cap Skirring once & was put off immediately due to the Club Med atmosphere, it's nice enough but ..

Varela has two beaches, one is an extension of Cap Skirring essentially, the other is the 'fishermans beach'

Both are lovely ... but it's all in our vision isn't it?!?!?!
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  #5  
Old 24 May 2015
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Understood Club med atmosphere is clearly not what we are after. Seems we will skip Cap Skirring then and go directly to Varela.
Thanks a lot for your help!
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  #6  
Old 4 Jun 2015
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the river?
Hi Guys,

Are you sure it's possible at low tide? I walked this route and there was a significant river crossing a couple of km's south of Kabrousse. I was a few hundred meters inland and stand corrected if the tide goes out enough to drive across, but am surprised!
There's some pictures and description of the route on my blog here: A short stroll into Guinea Bissau - The Little Baobab
I would thoroughly recommend this trip - I've lived in the Casamance for 5 years and that journey was one of the highlights, especially camping in the small forest villages.
The road via San Domingos was pretty good when I did it in February 2014 - lots of check points but I've heard things are much improved since elections last year. San Domingos - Varela is about 50km of dirt track and takes a couple of hours.
That's sad about Fatima - lovely lady.

Simon
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