great new Josh, and was it all road or was there a ferry crossing ( eg could it take a truck)..im happy you made it.....In Africa there is always a way, well unless there isn't

About 10ks, ammana to akwaya
No ferry, and virtually no road
Its mainly a pedestrian, motorcycle (locals) remote border
Plus side is, once youve been allowed in, youve got another 9 hours of slightly better to bamenda..165 kms.....i think
But its the only route
I crossed solo in defender 300tdi, damaged drag link, when road gave way
There had been bad rains , so you should be fine in a truck, slow is key word
To be honest, ndende to dolisie, after heavy rain was worse
Doing brazza to luvo this week
Safe travels

Really great stuff Josh, and really glad you could make it through!
Now here's a piece of priceless information.
Thanks a million! bier

Safe travels,

Update, Nigeria/Cameroon border
 

In Angola now, so not sure what status with border is currently, but the Cameroon contact, has even allowed a large truck through Ekok border, as Akwaya not suitable.
As before, pm, if your stuck, but bear in mind, that this is an official, bending over backwards (gratis) to help overlanders, so please don't abuse, and ruin it it for genuine travellers.
Safe travels

Was this a tourist truck with about 20passengers by any chance?

Patrick

No idea Pat
Don't think so

Unfortunately the Cameroon contact has now decided not to help any more, as it was abused.
A pity, as he went out his way to help overlanders
Well done guys, you screwed it for real travellers

Cheers for your reply earlier Josh. It's a shame some people just take the piss.
I'll just have to play it by ear. It's Africa there will be a way.

Patrick

Any idea how this helpful chap was pissed off? I was hoping to be crossing into Cameroon in about a month. Would be a shame to have to end my trip in Nigeria because someone has managed to annoy what seems to be the only helpful person with any real sway in the area.

Very true Patrick, there is always a way in Africa.:innocent:

Thanks to all for the info. We are coming through to Cameroon by 4x4 in 3-4 weeks. Has there anyone got through lately? Safe travels to everyone :)

/jasmin & bart

Hi all and sorry for the silence - I had a bunch of problems backtracking in Nigeria including a nasty car accident and all the fun stuff that goes with it.

I couldn't find a way to ship my car from Lagos because the agents there seem to only deal with commercial projects. I would have had to fork out thousands (USD) to make it worth their while. In the end I drove to Togo and shipped from there. $1315 shipping and approx $1,600 agency fees (Lome and Walvis Bay), in a container. If you need contacts let me know.

I also have contacts in Nigeria both at the embassy and at the borders, I'll give them a call tomorrow and post an update here. Sounds like giving out contact details is unwise which is a big shame.

Having relied on "anything is possible in Africa" my car was stuck in Nigeria for three months... I tried every possible option with contacts both sides of the border. Would caution that assumption! This is a directive from the president and border staff were absolutely not willing to entertain an exception under any circumstances. This was at least my experience, although it sounds like things may have loosened up a little now that a precedent has been set.

Thanks for the update.

Hi guys,

I've just been on the phone with the consulate in Calabar and the border is still officially closed. Whether there are other options to test now like Josh did, I'm not sure. But certainly conventional crossing are still not allowed.

The consul had no idea when it will open again. I'd be happy to call him again if you hear rumours of the border opening - will potentially save people from making the same mistake as me and starting the trip based on phony news articles!

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. Such a shame that these days cross-continental African trips are pretty much impossible.

Is the problem with the Nigerians or with Cameroon? I thought it was cameroon that had shut the border because of Ebola but you seem to be having problems with the nigerians?