Atlantic Road with an Opel Astra?

[qwer1234]

Hi,
I have never been to Africa, but I am planning to visit next winter Mauritania and Mali.
I have read in this forum that, probably, at the end of this year the tarmac road from Nouachott to Nouadhibou is going to be finished.
Do you know, if the border road between Mauritania and Guerguarat (W.Sahara-Morocco) is going to be asphalted too?
If not, do you think that a "normal"-not a Land Rover or 4X4 Opel Astra can get over from Morocco to Mali without getting stuck in the sand in the middle of a minefield (Morocco-Mautritania crossing) (or afterwards).

P.S.:A VERY GOOD and informative forum!

[Jose Brito]

Hi,


From Guerguerat to Mauritania I think they are not planning to asphalt the road. However there is absolutely no problem for a 2WD to cross the border. It's only about 6km of piste, but it is well marked and there are no dunes to cross.

As from Mauritania to Mali, that's a different story. There are deep sand roots which can caught a 2WD easily. If you're unsure I would suggest crossing from Ayoun to Nioro. After Nioro you get a fairly easy piste to Diéma. From Diéma to Metanbougoui its unpaved but no problems for a 2WD. And after that it paved all the way to Bamako.

Cheers,
José

[qwer1234]

Thank you José.
So, it seems that there is no tramac road from Mauritania to Mali, I should go through Senegal whith its annoying carnet requirements (or go by a motorbike or bicycle).

I know, this isn't a car forum, but I didn't find any other forum about this topic.
I am asking about a "normal" car (12 years old), not for a motorbike.

Also, I have looked photos about the road from Guerguerat to Mauritania and it seems too narrow. How do 2 cars pass without leaving the piste, as it seems that there are landmines outside?

[Jose Brito]

Hi,


Last year I saw a spanish Renault Trafic crossing fairly easy the piste from Ayoun to Nioro. They had been stucked in sand a couple of times, but nothing really special.
Thus, don't give up of crossing from Mauri to Mali!! Just take your time, choose carefully the way and you should be fine.

The mines "are not" placed like 25cm away from the piste, on the sides!! There is a margin of confidence.
Also the piste looks more squeeze than what it really is. I'm sure you'll be fine; hundreds of people cross that border.

Cheers,
José

[Robbert]

Yep,

Don't worry to much about the border crossing into Mauritania.

Not that it is impossible to get stuck, but it is easy enough to get unstuck. Normal cars cross daily.

When I passed there in october 2003, a german in a Renault 21 smached it's sump. so take it easy on the stony bits (make sure you're tires are back up to pressure).

In to Mauritania, there where a couple of French Guys in peugot 406es that got a guide in Timbedra and made it from there to Nara. I think From Nara to Bamaka can now all be done on reasonably good road (Road works where ongoing in 2003).

Rob

[Mirmil]

We made it by ford fiesta,in winter this year.4 person on board,car is 10 years old.
We dont take any gudes,dont lost any time.But we have GPS and general map(micheline 741)No problem whith fiesta.
After 19,000 km,including 11,000 in Africa.
from 22.01 to 28.02.2005
Route:
Maroco,atlantic route.from Mauri border to NKC by new route.300 km pista,200 new asphalt.We were stuck in sand 3 times,sambady helped.
From NKC to nema,all asphalt.
Nema-Nara 200 km very difficult pista.
Worst part of oure trip.very bed route.
After nara 200 km grand pista to bamako 100 km asphalt.
From bamako we went to Segou,Djene,Mopti,Bandiagara,Dogon county.95 % asphalt.
We dont go to Tombouktu,we don't have enought time(4 days).Maybe next year? :-)
Back to Bamako,through Diema to Kayes(some grand pista),Senegal,Dakar.St.Luis,Mauterania(border on the Senegal river dame),Pista through senegal mud,Rosso.
We went to Poland through Marakesch.
No problems with the fiesta :-).In Mali We were stuck in the sand only 2 times,but we go out of the send by ourselves.
Fiesta needed 6,5 l esence for 100 km.
We spend 800 euro for esence,350 ferry(4 people)
We never bought obligatory insurence :-).Checkpoints were very often.We never gave bakschisch.
Mauretania was okay, real sahara.
Mali and Senegal very expensive( 1 litre of fuel,petrol = 550 cfa, 1 euro= 650 cfa).But very chip fruits(3 mango= 100 cfa) :-)

Mirmil
(soory for bad englisch)

Do You like my photos?
http://www.trekearth.com/members/MIRMIL/

http://community.webshots.com/script...umID=344579605

[qwer1234]

Thank you for your answers.
So, it seems that the border crossing from Saharan Morocco to Mauritania is no probelem for a "normal" city car. Is there still sand? As maybe I am going to go alone (nobody from my friends does want to come - they say, I am crazy!) it will be impossible to push, if I get stuck.
I have a bulgarian passport (still non EU), do you thing that I will be able to get a visa for Mauritania on the border? If not, will I be asked for a "carnet de passage" in the mauritanian consulate in Casablanca?

I have read that the EU has asphalted the road from Ayoun (Mauritania) to Nioro (Mali), it is only piste from Nioro to Didieni.

Mirmil: Did they asked for a "carnet" when entering Senegal from Mali? Did you needed a visa for Senegal?
Very good photos!

[Jose Brito]

Yes, they demand a carnet when entering Senegal, no matter what border.

Last year, after a hard negotiation with the chief of the douane, I got a 3 day laissez-passez from Kidira to Diema. That was it, 3 days to spend in Senegal, no more!!

If planning to enter Senegal, it is better to have a carnet.

Cheers,
José

[Mirmil]

Maybe you need visa to Marocco?
Take visa to mauretania in casablanka=20Euro,on border 50 euro.(one way).Nobady ask as obout carnet de passage in any ambassady,or on border.We took wisa to senegal in bamako.No problem,3 hours.
On senegal border,fee 2500 CFA(6 euro),when you go in or out senegal.
Ford fiesta 10 years old,no problem.

[qwer1234]

Thank you Mirmil.
Since march I no longer need a visa for Morocco.

Did they asked you about how you were going to Mauritania at the mauritanian consulate at Casablanca?

I have read that they write on the visa place of entry:Airport Nouachott is it true?
A traveller also said that the consul denied a visa to a moroccans, but I hope there are no problems with europeans.

Very interesting photo http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/Afr...hoto174930.htm

I think that I should learn some basic arabic before going.



[This message has been edited by qwer1234 (edited 23 May 2005).]

[Mirmil]

Originally posted by qwer1234:

Did they asked you about how you were going to Mauritania at the mauritanian consulate at Casablanca?

I have read that they write on the visa place of entry:Airport Nouachott is it true?
(edited 23 May 2005).]

They dont ask as,but we show him auto registration.
On mauretanian visa I have "point d' Entree.....NOB"
Nauadhibou,right?

Mirmil

[qwer1234]

Thank you Mirmil.

[wormold]

Hi There - with a friend we are possibly plannning a trip through morocco down the atlantic to gambia and possibly further - leaving UK possible about the 14th Deecember - also 2 whell drive - get in touc to discuss

Originally posted by qwer1234:
Hi,
I have never been to Africa, but I am planning to visit next winter Mauritania and Mali.
I have read in this forum that, probably, at the end of this year the tarmac road from Nouachott to Nouadhibou is going to be finished.
Do you know, if the border road between Mauritania and Guerguarat (W.Sahara-Morocco) is going to be asphalted too?
If not, do you think that a "normal"-not a Land Rover or 4X4 Opel Astra can get over from Morocco to Mali without getting stuck in the sand in the middle of a minefield (Morocco-Mautritania crossing) (or afterwards).

P.S.:A VERY GOOD and informative forum!

[joaopdelgado]

Hello.

So you don´t find company to your trip? That´s my problem too. I´m looking for company to go from Portugal to Mali, atlantic route in a Renault19, 2WD. I will do it in July and August. When are you thinking to travel?

[qwer1234]

Hi joaopdelgado, I am planning to go there about december.
I thing that in July and August it will be too hot in Sahara and rainy (some roads closed due to flooding) in Mali.
I thing that, if you don't have a carnet de passage to go through Senegal (asphalt) it will be very difficult to go directly from Mauritania to Mali (piste for about 200 km).

If you want, send me a private message and we will discuss it.