Hi all,

I'm looking for information regarding border between Ivory coast and Ghana on the north side.

I'm planning to reach Ghana from Bouna then crossing the Mounhoun river to reach Bole (Ghana).
On google earth it looks like there is a boat crossing the river.

Any information? How about Border documents (visa, CDP) in this area?

Thanks
Laurent

Hi Laurent,

I wanted to confirm that on the Ghana side their is immigration and customs and they can processes your entry into the country. There is however no bridge linking CDI and Ghana, so you will need to pile everything (including your bike) into a local canoe. Always fun!

Thanks,

Rory

Agree with Rory! The boat could become problematic though in terms of cost, you'll need some serious negotiation skills!

Stunning corner of CI, I adore Bouna & have friends up there ... enjoy it! Where do you plan to continue onto after Bouna? The roads heading west are terrible, going south to Bondoukou - Abengourou the tar is in good shape

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Hi Rory and Creer,
thx for your response. Setting the bike on a small boat seems to be a wrong idea.

There is a border crossing between Bondoukou and Sampa. This looks a better option.

However there is no termac in this country, after Malian dirt tracks this should be ok...

There is a crossing between Bondoukou & Sampa (also used by traffickers!) ... you'll hit tarmac near Bondoukou, the road from Bouna down to Abidjan is all tar and brand new from Agnibilekrou to Adzope!

Alternatively, if you headed into Burkina from Ghana you could go south from Kampti and cross at Galgouli (BF) and Koguienou (CI). It's a decent dirt road to Doropo (where there's a good hotel on the northern edge of town) then the road to Bouna is currently being surfaced by the Moroccans so it might be semi-tarred!

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Creer,
It seems that the situation in BF is not safe actually. As our bike are in Bamako, we will go from Bamako directly to CI passing by Tingrela, then Korhogo (by M'bengué) then Bouna and finally Boundoukou. As there is no Hotel on this route (maybe do you have any information) we plan to set ou Tent in Comoé park (hope there is no more wild annimals)

What about CDP in Ghana, entering by this small border? Might we try to do wihtout?

1. Burkina is probably safer than Mali right now, even southern Mali. The Lobi region I'm talking about is generally fine, it's the northern borders of BF I'd worry about.

2. If you're crossing the border south of Bougouni to Tengrela, get some local advice before you do this. That road can be tricky with bandits apparently, I was also going to do the same last December and checked with friends in Oulessoubougou who warned me away from it! If you do decide to go that way, once you get to Tengrela in CI the road to Boundiali is newly tarred, going via M'bengue is going to make your life difficult! However, the road to Korhogo isn't in brilliant shape, then the road from Ferke to Bouna is HORRIFIC! There is/was a hotel en route to Bouna on the edge of the Comoe Park to the north side, not 100% sure if it's still open though! There is wildlife in the park, mainly chimps and other primates ... there is 'talk' of an elephant or two still there but not confirmed reports for some years (please let me know if you do see them!)

With the above in mind, I would seriously consider going via Burkina, if you're on a bike you should make it through this route with a lot of patience, in a vehicle it's going to be VERY hard work from Ferke to Bouna!

Personally I'd go: Bamako - Sikasso - Banfora - Loropeni - Kampti - Doropo - Bouna or by avoiding Burkina - Bamako - Sikasso - Ouangolodougou - Ferkessedougou - Bouake - Daoukro - Bondoukou using mainly tarred road ... I know the Bounkani region very well with many friends in Bouna who would all be shocked by the route you're planning to take via the park!

No idea about the Ghanaian side with the CDP I'm afraid, the Bondoukou/Sampa crossing is a busy one, like the ones further south at Dormaa Ahenkro/Tatiekro and Oseikojokrom/Niable!

PS. There's an excellent restaurant in Bouna when you get there!!! Just found it's GPS coordinates: 9.271844, -2.999055 Enjoy!
PPS. The lodge I'm thinking of is called Kafolo & it's near Nasien (also spelt Nassian) ... just got info from friends in Bouna, no one is sure if it's actually open though!

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Hi Creer,

Thanks for your answer, it seems that the road/tracks to Tengrela isn't the solition anymore, i will pass trough Sikasso.

As you seems to well know the country, i'm looking for a ship transport for a bike (one of my friends who plan to join us) frome Europe (Belgium, Netherlands or France) to Abidjan or Accra. Do you know something usefull (a company, a local connection) to help us?