Fuel stops between Bilma and Nguigmi?

[Andrew Airnes]

Are there any reliable fuel stops along this route and does anyone know the condition of the route?

AA

[Toby2]

Reputedly quite hard driving - met a number of guides and some french guys who made comments to that effect. John Hare in National Geographic has recently done a 3 1/2 month camel exped up past there any you might get some idea from the article although not to much about the tracks there.

[Andrew Airnes]

Read his article, like you say not too much detail on the tracks. Is it possible to hire guides who have there own transport to carry extra fuel in this area?

AA

[Toby2]

Don't think there are any fuel stops or for that matter any civilisation of any sort between the two but I haven't driven it - I went Nguimi - Lake Chad. Could get guides but they are going to be expensive as they are going to add on extra days probably from coming from Agadez. You would have to pay from them going from Agadez - Blima but I guess you might be able to use them there as well, Blima - Nguimi then you would have to pay for them to return to Agadez. In addition. If you have no vehicles with you then you may get caught with guides insisting on a second guiding vehicle depending on how they regard the route -all gets fairly expensive. Guide with vehicle and driver works out about US$100+ per day,

[SandyM]

Hi Andrew,

When are you intending to do this route? We are also keen on doing this, and so are the other couple we are likely to be travelling with. We will both be doing it by Land Rover, probably in mid/late May.

I presume you are on a bike? If so, we would probably be able to help with carrying some of your fuel.

Unlikely to fit in with your plans, but it's worth the offer...

Regards,

Michael...

[Chris Scott]

Unless you pay well over the odds (and Niger is expensive anyway) I dont reckon local guides will be queueing up to help you on this route - they like to keep to their tram tracks and as most cars are old this route would push them too hard, certainly the agencies I asked.
From what I know of it, this barely used route is way too hard for loaded bikes unless you are very experienced in dunes. There is no piste - the line on the 953 is misleading as Alex Marr found a couple of years ago. North to south is extremely hard, other way is less so.

CS

check out the updated Niger.pdf at ...overland.com/updates



[This message has been edited by Chris Scott (edited 15 January 2003).]

[Andrew Airnes]

Hi SandyM
we`re not leaving till Nov and are planning a west east crossing ie: Noukchott to Port Sudan at the moment we`re finalising routes. As we will be carrying everything on our bikes. At the moment we have fuel capacity for 43litres and water capacity for 10l on the bike and up to 5l on our backs. Thanks for the offer to join up, if you plan to go back later in the year we would definetly want to get in touch!

regards

Andy