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sub-Saharan Africa Topics specific to sub-Saharan Africa. (Includes all countries South of 17 degrees latitude)
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
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Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



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  #1  
Old 6 May 2009
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Nioro-diema-didieni mali
hello
I have a question about the road between ayoun el atrous and bamako because the michelin map says there is no problem but when i look on google maps i see it is a piste!?! is it piste or tarmac? when it is piste it would be a problem for us because we go there this summer in rain season.(subaru forester).

thanks

brend
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  #2  
Old 6 May 2009
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Some maps often show 'hopeful representations' of what each country would like to have!
From Nioro du Sahel, it's tarmac since January 2008 - there were just a couple of Km's of track as they were finishing off laying the new road.
Road toll now also to pay! (Grrrrr!!) I preferred the corrugations on that piste! ah well it's progress (allegedly!) sadly by-passing some beautiful villages....
Avoid getting stuck behind a truck belching black diesel clouds on the (full of speed bumps) approach to Bamako - You'll be glad you did!
1st tip: Google Earth is not 'real time'
2nd tip: Carry a strong tow strap - you never know -
p.m me if you need more info
Last edited by Bertrand; 6 May 2009 at 22:38.
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  #3  
Old 7 May 2009
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hee thanks for your reply bertrand.
it is good news. do you know something about the piste between douentza and timbouctou in the rain season too?

and what do say about bamako-kita-kayes........I think in dry season no problem but in rain season not possible..........is that right?
thanks again
bye
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  #4  
Old 7 May 2009
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Quote:
Originally Posted by brend View Post
hee thanks for your reply bertrand.
it is good news. do you know something about the piste between douentza and timbouctou in the rain season too?

and what do say about bamako-kita-kayes........I think in dry season no problem but in rain season not possible..........is that right?
thanks again
bye

Hi Brend
I have not done that piste in the rainy season only during the dry season. I did a similar one but more broken up on what once was the one between Nioro and Bamako- Avoid holes as you never know how deep or what is inside them.
I will guess it will be muddy as you are on corrugations with some sand passages- If going from UK to Tombouctou, this bit will be the most testing!
Try to get to the top of the queue if possible as it's a mad scrum to get on!
If you can't/don't want the day on the piste you can take a pinasse from Mopti harbour and here's a pic for that too with useful number
Can't help the the bit between Bamako-Kita-Hayes - sorry but I have heard that it is pretty sandy and rocky-
Last edited by Bertrand; 16 May 2009 at 14:53. Reason: removed broken links
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  #5  
Old 7 May 2009
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hee
thanks for your quick reply. We will try driving to timbuctu if my parents not resist or complain too much. hihi

thanks brend
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  #6  
Old 7 May 2009
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Be careful as you go through ANY village - go real slow - I mean really slowly and keep your wits about you-
Bamako driving is interesting! good local craft market there- go visit it!
Brend you have a p.m.
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  #7  
Old 15 May 2009
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hee
is there somebody who has some waypoints from the piste from douentza to timbouctou. is saw on google earth there are two piste heading north from douentza. i want to take the best one. is there somebody who has coordinates from this one?

thanks
brend
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  #8  
Old 16 May 2009
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yes but you don't need gps between Douentza and Tombouctou - stay on the piste and you'll be fine. Have another look in Google Earth- it's really handy for planning- The entrance to the piste is flanked by a massive mast! you really can't miss it
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  #9  
Old 16 May 2009
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Hi,
Definitely no need for way points from Douentza up to Timbuktu. We spent very little time on the pieste itself, it was massively corrugated. We found the best going to the east of the pieste, keep it in sight (it is very clear all the way) and you'll be fine. They were grading sections of it (Jan 08) so it may be better by now, when we drove it the graded sections didn't last more that a couple of km's at a time so we didn't bother with it.

Happy travels
Sam
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  #10  
Old 16 May 2009
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Talking
Sam is right - hope you like sand... !!
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  #11  
Old 23 May 2009
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Recently did the same route to Nioro
The road is fine between Ayoun and Nioro. Probably better than most stretches that you will find. I did the road about a week ago and am now in Ghana.

If you are interested here is a link to my blog.

Flying Snakes and the kindness of strangers... - ::. UKGSer.com .::

Cheers
Ed
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