west-Africa and rainy season
 

any experiences of people that have driven west-africa during the rainy season? especially interested in experiences for Mali, Senegal and the Gambia. how difficult is it?

No worries...just because its rainy season, it doesn't mean its gonna rain everyday...nor will all vehicular traffic cease for the season...

You're in a car, so you'll be ok...the Peugeot bush taxis do fine as will you...if you happen to be off road and you come upon a suspicious patch of road or potentially deep puddle...stop, walk ahead, and take a peek.

Other than that you should be fine. I lived in the Tambacounda area for a couple years as a Peace Corps volunteer and have travelled through Mali, Senegal etc...you'll be ok...how is your French though?

And if you find yourself en brousse in a pinch ask for a Volontaire-Toubab...Corps de la Paix Americain...they're the only white people around that will speak the local language...and will help you out.
HTH

hi there MotoEdde. Thanks a lot for your information. Good to get to know this first-hand information of yours. My French is very basic. I got French in secondary school but not more then that. I hope the French phrasebook of the lonely planet will stand me by sufficient enough. Thanks again. Cheers.