Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > North Africa
North Africa Topics specific to North Africa and the Sahara down to the 17th parallel (excludes Morocco)
Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



Trans Sahara Routes.

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 13 May 2003
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Santa Barbara, Ca--USA
Posts: 11
First trip to Mauritania

Hello--

I am planning a trip to Mauritania this August/September and was seeking any and all advice. I am not traveling with my own transport, but am planning on going into Mauritania from Morrocco via public transport or other. How reasonable is this approach?? If I did want to meet up with people who were driving their own vehicle where would be the best place and what might be my best approach (offer money for petrol??).
Once I am in Mauritania, how reasonable is it for me to assume I can move around in the country without my own transport?? Any suggestions as to prefered methods of local/public transport.
How difficult are border formalities and where might I get a visa since the Embassy in the US seems unwilling to respond to me???I have heard you must be a round trip ticket to Nouk and then get a visa in Casablanca and then cancel the ticket. Is this the only way???
Also, I am tolerably competant in Classical Arabic, how far can I expect this to get me in mauritania where they speak Hassanya Arabic???

I have traveled in Yemen, Tunisia, Egypt, Nepal, Thailand, Peru, etc. before, so I am not as green as I perhaps seem---but any suggestions and/or info on Mauritania and the route into it through the Western Shara would be greatly appreciated.

--jacob
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 13 May 2003
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Groningen
Posts: 4
Hi Jacob,

Since you have to be in Casablanca for the visa anyway, just go to the campsite near the Mauritanian embassy, lots of overlanders/ car sellers there who probably are willing to take you with them. Or simply try at the embassy itself since everybody has to wait for the visa plenty of time to find a car. If this doesn’t work out try Daklha In the Western Sahara.
The airplane ticket is no longer needed last December we just had to be at nine in the morning at the embassy fill out the forms pay 100 dirham (approx. 10 euro) and collect the visa in the afternoon.
The border formalities are no problem if you don’t have your own transportation.
There is a train running from Nouadihbou to (I think)Atar and you can also take a taxi from Nouadhibou direct to Nouakchott. There are plenty of possibilities to travel in Mori without your own transport but this is hear say so I can’t give you any detailed info about this subject. French does it for my in Mauritania don’t know anything about the type of Arabic spoken over there.
Good luck and maybe see you somewhere over there, I plan to go mid September with a friend, will be travelling with two old cars which are to be sold in Gambia or Senegal (if they make it over there!).

Vincent
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 15:01.