Essakane-Nema - Horizons Unlimited

**ranmaze** · #1 6 Dec 2005

What is the best route from Essakane/Mali to Nema/Mauretania in a 4WD Landcruiser, and how long will it take?
Thanks! Randolph Bath

**Tonyabc** · #2 29 Dec 2005

I am not sure if you are looking for a fast route or a desert route.

I came to Mali going via Nema to Naara ad then on to Bamako. The Nema Nara stretch is scenic and not difficult in 4WD.

There is a piste going from Nema direct to Timbuktu. A guide in Timbuktu told me this was not too difficult but I have no direct experience of it.

There is also a real desert route which goes either from Nema or Oulata and goes via oneof the wells north of Timbuktu on the route between Timbuktu and Arouwan (spelling). This last route is not a piste, is through open desert, and probably requires a guide. I know of a good guide but don`t know how one would deal with visas.

There is a border crossing on the Nema Nara route that was friendly to me on the Mauritania and Mali sides.

From Nara to Bamako and on to Timbuktu is pretty straightforward in the sense that the pistes and roads and easy to follow. The easiest route to Timbuktu seems to be via Douentza. The Douentza Timbutu piste is failry good all the way.

Regards Tony

**ranmaze** · #3 30 Dec 2005

Hi Tony,
thankls for your reply and info.
We want to go from Essakane direct to Nema
through Gargando, Lerbeb, Bassikounou, Dendara, Nema, or, if too difficult a little bit more south through Lere, Nampala, Med Allan, Bassikounou, Dendara, Nema. Anyone knowing these pistes?
Kind regards
Randolph Bath

Quote:

Originally posted by Tonyabc:
I am not sure if you are looking for a fast route or a desert route.

I came to Mali going via Nema to Naara ad then on to Bamako. The Nema Nara stretch is scenic and not difficult in 4WD.

There is a piste going from Nema direct to Timbuktu. A guide in Timbuktu told me this was not too difficult but I have no direct experience of it.

There is also a real desert route which goes either from Nema or Oulata and goes via oneof the wells north of Timbuktu on the route between Timbuktu and Arouwan (spelling). This last route is not a piste, is through open desert, and probably requires a guide. I know of a good guide but don`t know how one would deal with visas.

There is a border crossing on the Nema Nara route that was friendly to me on the Mauritania and Mali sides.

From Nara to Bamako and on to Timbuktu is pretty straightforward in the sense that the pistes and roads and easy to follow. The easiest route to Timbuktu seems to be via Douentza. The Douentza Timbutu piste is failry good all the way.

Regards Tony

**Tonyabc** · #4 31 Dec 2005

Sorry I can not really help with the detail you need.

I was impressed with a guide who took me from Timbuktu to Taoudenni. His name is Lamala. He can be contacted via a man in Timbuktu called Tabala. Tabal speaks French but very little English. 00 223 6023388.

Tabala is just the contact man, Lamala is the guide.

I was surprised how little I was charged to be guided to Taoudenni.

Lamala told me about the desert pistes/routes to Nema when we were at a well a few hundred Kms North to Timbuktu. He said he knew the way on both the northern and southern route.

Lamala speaks French but almost no english.

Regards Tony

**ranmaze** · #5 31 Dec 2005

Thanks Tony, leaving mext week!
best wishes for 2006
Randolph Bath

**hajle** · #6 31 Dec 2005

hi,
what about the conditions of the pistes from nema to nara (mauri - mali) and douentza to timbuktu ? is that also easy for 2wd cars?

**Tonyabc** · #7 1 Jan 2006

During dry season Douentza Timbuktu is OK in 2WD. It might not be possible in wet season.

The Nema Nara route has some sand and ruts. I saw a truck stuck on this route. I am pretty sure this route would be difficult for 4WD in the wet. The piste is also one that devides and rejoins so it is not easy to do without a gps. When I crossed the border at Nara I was the first European across for three weeks and I saw very little traffic on the way. I was in 4WD. So, the short answer is, it's risky in 2WD.

See this post

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb...ML/001905.html

[This message has been edited by Tonyabc (edited 01 January 2006).]

**hajle** · #8 2 Jan 2006

thanks a lot

i know mirmil personally, and i know he did that trip by 2wd (and also by ford fiesta - like my own car:>);
i hope we gonna make it real and get to timbouktu;
thanks a lot:>