Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > sub-Saharan Africa
sub-Saharan Africa Topics specific to sub-Saharan Africa. (Includes all countries South of 17 degrees latitude)
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 21 Mar 2012
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: France
Posts: 88
Nouakchott-Kifa-KayesTambacounda

Just a general question about this route .... I just looked at a YOUTUBE video of someone doing this and it looked like it was just sand with ruts. I was a bit surprised, as I thought it was do-able in a 2WD. Thoughts anyone?????

Roger
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 22 Mar 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Sweden
Posts: 1,465
Quote:
Originally Posted by Roger Bruton View Post
Just a general question about this route .... I just looked at a YOUTUBE video of someone doing this and it looked like it was just sand with ruts. I was a bit surprised, as I thought it was do-able in a 2WD. Thoughts anyone?????

Roger
Doable yes with a 2wd in the dry season, sandy pistes, much more fun than the tarmac. Beautiful bambara and peul villages en route. A few river crossings. Take it easy as it can be hard on the tires. I had two punctures in ten minutes and with only one spare had to drive 65 kms on the rim before we could find a Michelin Man.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 22 Mar 2012
Titbird's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Back in Europe
Posts: 181
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...eat=directlink

My friend took this route and says it will be difficult with 2wd to pass the oueds, but it is doable.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 22 Mar 2012
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 42
Difficult with a 2WD, even in dry season, especially the first third between Kiffa and Kankossa quite sandy, an experienced driver might make it ... maybe not just now
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 23 Mar 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Sweden
Posts: 141
Smile

It's a very fun route! 100 times as fun as the tarmac!

I don't think I would do it in a 2wd, at least not alone. But it would be i challenge for sure!
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 26 Mar 2012
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: France
Posts: 88
Thanks for all the replies, people!

Roger
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 29 Mar 2012
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: France
Posts: 88
OK - we have now consulted the three maps we have of this area and they all give different information, and NONE of them seem to echo the conditions shown in the youtube video I mentioned. Total confusion!

Can anyone say what the most reliable map is, showing the likely condition of roads in south central Mauri and that little bit of Mali around Kayes???

Roger
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 3 Apr 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Sweden
Posts: 1,465
There are no roads between Kiffa and Kayes! Only pistes, most of them sandy. The occasional rocky patches, and several oueds to pass. Piste sometimes disappear and you have to ask the way - if you find someone speaking other than pulaar or bambara.
A GPS does help.
We met a passenger bus doing Mayes-Melga (border village) so it can surely be done even with 2wd.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 3 Apr 2012
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: France
Posts: 88
Thanks Priffe ... I met a couple of girls from Sweden, in Gambia back in February, who had been driving all around this area in a 4x4 - I wish I had got more info from them! Do you know anything about the Ayoum-Nioro-Diema route???
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 5 Apr 2012
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: London
Posts: 24
Roger,

Ayoun el Atrous - Nioro - Diema is tarred all the way, and in very good condition. We did this on motorcycles in November last year.

The road from Kiffa to Ayoun is tarred in theory. They are redoing most of it, so you end up doing about 60km of dirt road as a diversion. Well, that was the situation back then, its probably changed a bit by now.

The rest of the way to Ayoun is back on tar, but in very bad shape, lots of pot-hole dodging. And by pot-holes, I mean craters.

A
__________________
London to Cape Town
http://pikipikisafari.net
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Nouadhibou - Nouakchott safety AndrewPrior North Africa 7 25 Feb 2012 14:51
Nouakchott - Toyota garage? bowman North Africa 4 26 Jan 2012 19:22
Recovering bike from Nouakchott Desert Ways North Africa 16 14 Dec 2011 23:27

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

  • Virginia: April 24-27 2025
  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
  • Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • Switzerland: Date TBC
  • Ecuador: Date TBC
  • Romania: Date TBC
  • Austria: Sept. 11-14
  • California: September 18-21
  • France: September 19-21 2025
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 12:49.