Ivory Coast-Burkina Faso in stead of Mali?
 

I had planned to be in Mali (from Burkino Faso to Guinea) in about 3 weeks, but thinks look rather dark out there.

Does anyone has recent information about the security situation south of Bamako?

As an alternative, I am thinking about driving from Burkina Faso through Ivory Coast to Guinea. Has anyone recently done that and is this route at least reasonably safe?

Thanks a lot for your advices.

In my Blog i have collect the link to a Guy who did the ivory cost route. The other Option is to Drive from Bamako to Senegal, driving south as possible.

Surfy

Hi I live in Cote d'Ivoire and i currently still am here. I went from Ouaga to Abidjan back in November and everything is very fine. I went all the way up to Yamoussoukro this past weekend and everything is perfect. I can easily say its safe. Just very annoying Police checks once you get into Ivory Coast. now about Guinea that i wouldnt know what to say. it really depends which part of it you will be crossing.

Hi Guys,

Anacondor- please keep us updated. I am in Mali in 3 months time. I am also looking for alternatives.

Hopefully the french can sort something out.

For more info also hook up with Kapp2cape.net. They are currently in Senegal travelling to SA. Hopefully they can give us an on the ground report of the conditions.

Cheers

Just drove Burkina - Ivory Coast - Guniea - Senegal without any problems. Bobo - Korhogo - Kankan - Labé - Senegal

Hi Ronnie,

That's great. How long did it take you from the BF border to the Senegal border? Any further tips (border crossings/waypoints for customs, immigration/places to avoid/road conditions)?

Thanks!

How did you get on Anacondor? My bf and I are planning to ride to Senegal from Ghana via Ivory Coast and Guinea. But unsure about the route and safety in general. Would be interested to hear about your experiences and suggestions re. border crossings etc. Cheers, Steph & Rory

The route was fine and I liked it. Border crossings were easy (no hassle at all, no carnet the passage payments/hassle at the Senegal border, etc.), but be sure you don't miss the immigration and custom posts. We camped next to the immigration office of Ivory Coast on the border with Guinea. The immigration office was a large mango tree. I didn't make any waypoints, so I cannot help you with that. If I recall correctly you have to cross a river twice, but that was fun, cheap and fast with the 'ferries' (in one case it's to canoe-style boats tied together, but it can handle up to 7 ton, they say). Be prepared for a lot of fun, rough dirt roads and some less fun potholed tar roads. Not long before the border with Senegal you are treated to perfectly new tar, you will love it and regret it at the same time.

Btw: we did not feel unsafe or whatever. Many locals carry large guns, but they are very friendly and it doesn't feel insecure at all. One time in Ivory Coast we saw an extremely heavily armed UN convoy (Bangladeshi blue helmets); no idea why they were having about 10 soldiers with their guns standby in the bush next to their convoy, but apparently they thought that to be sensitive. They waved friendly to us. Would definately take this route again.

We also felt safe with very freindly people. Really nice! :)