"Algeria-Niger" or "Maro-Maure-Mali-Niger"
 

Hello all,
I planning a big African trip down to South Africa (no bikes, I'd love to, though).

I wanted to go through Sahara i.e. from Algeria straight to Niger but the news is bad as it seems impossible to cross from Algeria to Niger. I've started to consider a diversion via Maro-Maure-Mali. It also seems easier in regards to visa.

Do you have any insights on which route is better or do you have any experience or information about the current situation?

Thanks everybody

Bob

Morocco-Mauritania-Mali should be relatively easy: no big problems with visas or other paperwork. There's a route with 99% tarmac, regular places to buy fuel & food & drink, and so on.

However, maybe "easy" does not mean "better"; perhaps you'd like a challenge. If you wanted the easiest journey you'd never leave Europe! ;-)

Algeria-Niger" or "Maro-Maure-Mali-Niger
 

Hi,

In may 2009 we wanted to come up from Niger to Algeria.
We could go "at our own risk".
this is what the sittuation was that time:
There are still bandits who carjack cars.
Between the border and Arlit it is "piste" sand and once in a while a barrel to show you the way. not really a place to be left allone.
it is also there were these bandits operate.
Between Arlit and Agadez and between Agadez and the south of Niger there are Military convoys.
You are not allowed to leave the cities to explore the dessert even not with a travel agencie.

We took the save way back up: Burkina, Mali, Mauretania, Marroco.
Quite easy because if you want its al tar road.
that time you coudn't buy Mauretania visa at the border!
the rest was peanuts except the Custom officer at the Mauretania-Mali border at Gogui. That was the only place where we had to pay extra on our Carnet de Passage. (15 borders)
the best is to take very small borders but then you always need to get a visa in front.

have a nice journey
Gert

If your passing into Nigeria, it's best from the Niger border as illegal cars are common from Benin causing strict impossible policing (made up paperwork)!! :(

My father has lived in Nigeria for 10 years and it is a beatiful country as long as you stay out of the Delta (Oil Oil Oil!) Yankari game reserve and Wikki Warm springs are amazing......

The road from Nigeria to Cameroon, is also very nice in dry season but in wet season you need to be mad or have serious guts!! :nono: LOADS OF PEOPLE IN NIGERIA WILLING TO HELP IF YOU ARE STUCK!! (if you have a bit of money)

That road is called the Mamfe road.
It made us scared before we arrived there.
30Km in one day if there was no rain in 4 days.
otherwise like the end of the rainyseason 30km in 5 or 6 days
Or not and rent a buldozer!

when we passed there end of March 2009 Japanese people where messuring for a new road i guess.

G