madrid - mali by 2wd

[gordopilo]

in last november and december I will try to get Mali with a couple of 2wd vhicles, following the atlantic route Nouakchott, and then...I dont know yet

someone can give me advices about best tracks, guides, waypoints for gps, where can can I joint to convoys ...?

thanks in advance

[joaopdelgado]

I´ll send you what i have by email, ok? It is a lot of information i took from old tpoics in this site. Anyway beware: in the rain season lots of roads are impraticable.

And, at least, buy the Michelin 741.

[gordopilo]

thank you very much joao...

doesnt finish the rain season in august-september?
do you think there will be mud in the tracks?
and finally, wich route do you prefer to get into mali, Ayoun el atrous or Nema (think in 2wd)?

[BenW]

Hi Gordopilo,

I drove the Atlantic route in August and the route to Ouagadouga via the route d'espoir is easily do-able in 2wd. I took the Ayou el atrous route rather than nema because there is tarmac all the way from Ayoun to the Malian border at Nioro du Sahel. From Nioro to Diema it is piste/track and impassable by 2wd in August - we just about made it through in 4wd with experienced mud-drivers.

I'll email you my route files for the saharan section and can also email a track file of my entire route if you like (from Madrid to Ouaga).

Hope this helps.

Ben

[This message has been edited by BenW (edited 19 October 2004).]

[gordopilo]

received your track, thank you very much Ben

[joaopdelgado]

Could you please send me the track to?

[BenW]

Hi joaopdelgado,

I'll sent it in the next day or so - no problems.

B

[Andy Hunt]

I would strongly suggest that you take a 4x4 into Mali, in October, after the rainy season many of the roads are no longer roads just deep and solid ruts. Height clearance of the chassis and diffs are important, in standard 2 wd, you will get wedged in. As for the dried river beds and vertical hill climbs, a 4x4 a must. We took the very bad old road from Kayes to Bamako in a 1982 Series 3 Land Rover and managed but only just, with some very tense moments.
I have been told that there are many new roads but for me Africa is the beaten track and only a 4x4 will do.

Cheers,

Andy

[mercedes190]

can you send me those coordinates too please?
(us1@xs4all.nl) Thanks

Jeroen

[Stanley]

[I have sent you my notes from this year.
A 2wd is no problem.
cheers
Stanley

thanks in advance[/B][/QUOTE]