Ivory Coast / Cote d'Ivore

[happydunk]

Hi there to anybody who can help, I am at present riding my bmw through africa, have made it to gambia and will continue to Ghana then back through the centre of Western Africa to Morocco, my only real concern is the ivory coast stretch i want to enter by the border close to Man and then head south along the coast to Ghana, I have the fco recommendations, but anybodies personal view (who have done this) would be greatly received. Thanks for any help
Duncan

[Skonte]

Hej Happydunk!

Did you do the trip to Man and Ivory Coast?
If so, how was it?
In some weeks time, I will go from Ghana to Ivory Coast and then to Guinea and Senegal.
BR
Skonte

[happydunk]

Sorry Skonte, didnt do it embassy in Guinea advised against as they were still unsure and a couple of travellers had been down that way ans said it would have difficult to get through the border, I am now skirting round through Mali into Burkina then down into Togo and Ghana. Hope you have a good trip
Dunk

[Ian Bradshaw]

I last went to CI during the end of 99 or beginning of 2000 - a few weeks after the coup but a few days before the military desertion. I flew in & out of Abidjan on the same day and felt very uncomfortable, locals were staring at me without smiling. I don't think many had seen a white face in a while and I didn't see any other white people, which was in contrast to my previous visits the place normally over-run with French ex-pats.

Looking at the current FCO advice, I don't think things have improved since then, so I think it wise to avoid at present, if for nothing else, safety in numbers.

If you do get there, I can recommend 'Chez Cakpo' restaurant - excellent Langouste, Gambas, Aloco and Atike - all washed down with Guinness. It's on the beach just to the east of the main port entrance (on the bend in the port/beach road) at about N5 15.100 W3 59.800 (give or take a couple of k's) & of course the Alocodrome open air restaurant is not to be missed when the security situation greatly improves (this was a dodgy spot for lone travellers in the best of times)

HTH

Ian