Mauritania, Mali
 

Hi, soon we'll leave for Mauri and Mali, 4 people in 2 well-prep 110's. We'd like to go straight from Walata or Nema to Tombuctú, but I understand it can be risky because of bandits. Any advise to make that part as short as possible? Any particular problems with security from Douentza to Tombuctú?

Although I know this has been mentioned before, it's still not clear to me whether a car older than 5 years (one of ours is a 200Tdi) needs any special permission to enter Mauritania, can anybody lend me a hand?

Thanks, Pedro F. Conti

No problems entering Mauri with a vehicle over 5 years old at all, I was there 3 weeks ago with a 12 year old vehicle, just pay the 10 euro temporary import fee.

Sorry but cant advise on the rest of your questions re security etc into Mali, but I would imagine the mauritainians are a bit jumpy after the recent events, I was at el gallouahia and even then (before the recent shooting), the army seemed very wary of us when we approached the area & were quite thorough in checking us out.

Don't go straight from Walata or Nema to Tombuctú at the moment it's not safe. We did Néma - Bassikounou - Fassala Néré - Léré - Tombouctu 4 weeks ago, it's fast it took only 2 and a half days. No security problem from Tombuctu to Douentza

You can enter Mauritania with cars older than 5 years, no problems.

Thanks and another question
 

Thanks a lot for the answers, we'll go through Bassikounou and Lere then. We plan to come back from Nara to Ayoun el Atrous, either through Nioro or Timbedgha, any advise to choose one route or the other?

Thanks again,
Pedro