Hello everybody!
Been reading this great forum for some time now and have got help from here in the past.
Now all the searches have come out empty.

We are 2 fully loaded heavy bikes (1200 GS) taking part of Budapest Bamako 2009.
Can anybody give some information if Kiffa to Kayes and Manantali is doable
with these.
We have some experience in off road riding, but thats mostly on rocks, dirt and some mud.

Also GPS waypoints or tracks would be greatly helpful

Thanks in advance

Janek

Hi Janek,
We wanted to go that way (ish) this time last year, but group dynamics and a dying gearbox denied us. What i do know.....it is possible (just) to drive Kifa - Kayes - Kita in a 2wd ford transit or a scoda felicia estate!! Not easy, but proven as possible!!
Once we got our gearbox sorted, we had a bit of a look at the route from Kita to Bafoulabe....pics here:

Flickr Photo Download: IMG_2 (568)

Flickr Photo Download: IMG_2 (560)

Flickr Photo Download: IMG_2 (563)

And a video here:

YouTube - Niva Say Never.....off road in Mali

The lighter you travel, the better. I doubt it would be a walk in the park, but it should be very doable on a bike

All the best
Sam

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I did the first 50km or so of the route south from Kiffa in january last year. I was solo on a Tenere and turned back after falling off several times. Being on my own I was worried about damaging myself or the bike and not knowing the state of the road further south I swallowed my pride (and some sand) and returned to Kiffa and thence Ayoun, Nioro etc. In the 3 hours or so I didn't see another vehicle although there were plenty of tracks. The first 50kms is gravel but with stretches of rutted sand. I had only passed my test 2 months previously and had never ridden on sand before so I'm sure(if the road doesn't deteriorate as it goes south) that you will be fine.It's a very pretty route and if I pass that way again I will certainly have another go.
Have a good time,
John

Thanks for answers.
Then we'll take it. Gravel and stretches of sand is not awful. I was afraid that if it's deep soft sand for 100-200 km then its a problem.

Thanks Janek

Hi Zopi,
I did that track about one year ago and it is do-able, solo with a KLR 650. However, it took me 4 days. The first 50kms (as mentioned) is a nice, fun dirt road and I found myself having to back off the speed as there are always surprises, like washed out bridge & animals on the track, around the next corner. This is the easy part & great fun.
Slowly the road deteriorates into a sandy single track then into multiple tracks leading in different directions. You are deep inside farmland by this time. At one point I was crossing fields on a compass bearing, remember that Kayes is more or less due south of Kiffa. Beware of fencing wire and covered logs and holes covered by the long grass. Take your time if you have to do this.
I never got out of first gear for several hours. The sandy track will not be fun on your big bikes. You will fall, as I did, many times as you must keep some speed to keep upright on the sand but you are following a sometimes twisty-turning track. As you get close to Kayes there is a formed track on good soil, so your speed picks up and it becomes enjoyable again.
Camp anywhere out of sight. Larger villages have proper wells, but use a filter or whatever purification system you have. As there is no real road, there is no traffic so make sure your bike is in good condition as there are no workshops or anything. There are donkey carts trotting up and down from time to time.
I found my way by staying on a southern heading and regularily asking directions at villages along the way. The people I met along the way were absolutely marvelous. Beautiful and unspoilt & very likely this was the best route I've done by bike.
Don't forget to do your border formalities at Kiffa & then again in Kayes. There is no border post.
But maybe you'll find another easier way to do it...
Cams.

Did the piste about a month ago, we did it in dry season and there was a guy on a bike just in front of us, no problems. During wet season I think the Mali part will be a problem though. I forgot the name of the first town in Mali but you can do immigration there but customs have to be done in Kayes.

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Jean Visser

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