Mauritania, Tichit/Oualata

[davidlomax]

Does anyone know if it is possible to get petrol at either Tichit or Oualata? If its not, and bush taxis run there fairly regularly I assume you could get a taxi to run with a jerry can or two if was absolutely necessary?

Cheers,

Dave

[ursula]

hi
you can get always somewhere in a backyard petrol from barrels or in bottles. But don't ask me about the price!
Bushtaxis are not very frequent on this piste. In Oualata there is a police station where you have to go anyway. They can help you too.
Have a good trip
Ursula

[Sophie-Bart]

davidlomax:

Perform a search (on Tichit), you'll find most of the answers and some more info.
Although some info is maybe not uptodate, most is correct.

What I know; there are no gasstations in either Tichit or Oualata, so you depend on blackmarket, diesel normally wouldn't be a problem (except for the costs) but don't expect to find big quatities of benzin if any at all.
Last January there was even a big fuel shortage in Tidjikja which last some weeks.
Between Tidjikja and Tichit you will find some traffic and the same goes for Oualata and Nema, but there is virtualy no traffic between Tichit and Oualata. No local traffic and only a few tourists or organised tours.

good luck

[NCR]

Hi,

In 2003 we got petrol from drums - Paris-Dakar leftovers - in Tichit.

[davidlomax]

Thanks guys, great info. Any other tips/hints for the route?

Dave

[Richard K]

Hi David, sent you a pm. We aim to drive/ride this route next winter.

[TT-Kira]

Generally you can buy 'fuel' in most habited areas in Mauri; however it's not necessarily that great and might need a filter ...

Are you off in July to Mauri? I'll give you the route when you pick up your bike! Was there last year!

Kira (with your bike sitting here!)

[davidlomax]

Kira,

Small world! re: my bike, I'd best be polite to you then huh!!!!

The offer of your route is very generous, as is looking after my bike! In July I will be riding mainly in the Pyrenees but will be back in Africa for three weeks in September and October and over Christmas. I expect to head to Mauri over the Christmas period.

We can talk in July, I've a feeling we might be bumping into each other around then!

Dave

[TT-Kira]

LOL!

But as I've mentioned to the 'white van man' (sorry if you're reading this P nothing personal!!) ... further south in W.Africa is incredibly interesting ... will be there over Christmas but without 2 wheels, would like to take 4 wheels down but will probably be on foot again!

As for Mauri and getting back on thread, you shouldn't have (m)any problems!
(
Kira

[armadillo]

We found no petrol in gas stations after NKCTT. In Tidjikja, expensive, from drums from "the Dakar" but the drums were quite old and the "petrol" did not even smell us such but as a mix with cheaper fuels. No problema if you mix "that" with a good O.D of petrol additive.

The same for Tichitt but quite more expensive, but we had little choice.

Oualata, as far as we were told, no problema.

good luck !

[armadillo]

By the way, we got some news from our Mauritanian friends: "SOS Tichitt" plans to cement the 3 most difficult spots between Tidjikja and Tichitt.