Hi Fotodadi,

You had an easy time at Rosso as you paid far too much money. This is the problem. People handing over money all the time.

I don't wish to cause any offence to you by saying that so please don't take it that way.

You say you paid 15,500 Ougiya Mauri side (approx €37.72 Euros) and 49,500 CFA on Senegal side (approx €75.57 Euros).....so a total of €113.29 Euros.....to cross a border!

On Mauritania side, you should not have to pay any money for customs or police. The commune tax seems to be legitimate as this is receipted.

We paid 7,500CFA for a 16 tonne truck on the ferry, so 5,000CFA for a bike is alot of money. Even 7,500CFA for our truck I was later told was too much, the locals don't pay that much.

On the Senegalese side, there are no fees to be paid except the commune tax (receipted) and the laissez passez (2,500 CFA).....all these other fees are made up.

We did have to pay 1,000CFA to have our passport stamped on Senegal side, but this is a downright bribe.

All these port exits fees, custom station, police etc.....these are all made up costs and going straight into the pockets of the hustlers and authorities.

Dave, you are quite right. I chose, pay money or pay time. Something has got to give.

However some corrections. Space on the ferry, which is actually operated by some Lebanese chaps is based on how much space one takes. My bike had the full space that a "small" sized car would take so go figure.

And if its such a bother, the money one pays, (even if you say its into some guy's pocket) consider that you don't pay any other money till you get out ouf Senegal.

How much are the tolls through Europe again?

BTW, why did you pass Rosso?

to fotodadi
don't even think you got their respect in paying that much, nor our
Rosso is still a PITA, the new visa system also (not the fact to pay for a visa, visiting a country means respecting the rules) but the informatic procédure must have been designed by a "cousin"
drive safe

Hi Fotodadi

We have passed through Rosso a number of times, usually because the road to Diama is too wet to get through (august/september)....the road to Diama is very difficult in the wet not alot of fun so Rosso is our only option.

Your point about the bike based on size....our truck is 12 meters long, and we paid 7,500CFA (which we are told is too much, the local trucks pay less).....so I can not believe that a motor bike on the ferry costs 5,000 CFA.

My problem is not with paying money. If it is official and I get a receipt, then I will pay the money. But this is blatant stone faced lets screw people out of money (Africans and overlanders alike)...it is a mafia racket at Rosso, and has gotten worse over the years due to people continually paying money. And the fact that they intimidate you to pay the money if you question what you are paying for is what angers me the most.

I know that even if the money is officially receipted, it will often go astray regardless. Very true. I am not naive to this fact.

Yes, pay huge amounts of money on European road tolls, very true, but this discussion is not about road tolls. I will happily pay road tolls. This is about screwing people out of money at a border crossing for non existant fees.

BTW Fototadi, I mean no offence by what I write, I am simply making a point

I got insurance from a hut just after customs at the maroc/Mari boarder. It is just next to the Mari customs. Cover was by AIG and included most western African county's. £30€. I crossed at Diama and the guys there were the most friendly we met on the Mari side. The Senegal side was a nghtmare. No getting in unless a 50€ bribe was paid. It all got out of hand and nearly ended in a fight. The police hut was great...the army hut was aggressive beyond belief.

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