Looking for company thru Algeria, Niger...

[Gottoride]

Hi!

Is anyone planning to go through Algeria to Niger & Mali/Burkina Faso early in Feb 2010 by motorcycle (or other means, I suppose)? I'll be heading south to Angola and then east before south.

[Gottoride]

Hi again,
It's four days later and still not a single reply! Does that mean nobody's going or that the timing doesn't work out?
I'd really like to know who else will be in the area around that time or anywhere south along the west coast between Feb and April 2010. Even if you're slightly ahead of me.
Safe riding!

[markharf]

It's not a high-volume route these days. Have you looked through old threads on the Algeria--Niger routing? Researched elsewhere? You might find more overlanders once you reach Mali, and you might draw more responses if you indicated something about your experience, expectations, advance planning, etc.

Or not. As I said, it's not really a very well-traveled route at the moment. I'd broaden to include 4x4 drivers, too, if I wanted company.

Personally, I decided against despite all the stories I've heard. To expensive, too fraught in other ways. But I was tempted once I was already in the Aire Mountains.....

Hope that helps.

Mark

[Gottoride]

Thanks, Mark. I've been planning the trip for almost a year and have extensively read publications about the area as well as whatever I could find on HU and other sites. I've also read a good number of travelogues. I have arranged the compulsory guide through Algeria too.
Riding experience: Just under 20 years of blacktop and the last 5 years dirt as often as possible. Rode through Argentina, Chile, Peru and Bolivia. Also Swaziland, Lesotho (several times), Botswana and Namibia. Most recent was Cape Town to Johannesburg (South Africa) on dirt.
Of course 4x4 vehicles would be OK - if traveling together is cumbersome because of different tempos, we can always start off together and meet at prearranged places. The recent unfortunate incidents in west Africa are a concern, but I'm not sure a South African is such a great prize considering that our government's budget is substantially less than that of European countries'!
In terms of expectations: none really, except to enjoy good riding and uncomplicated company (if available). I am on a rather tight schedule though, so I won't have too many rest days.
Thanks for responding!

[Bartosz]

I think about visit in Algeria in April 2010. Niger is not safe now, but Algeria is Ok. We will travel by 4x4 car from Taleb Larbi on south and then return.

[Gottoride]

Hi Bartosz, I'll post whenever I get an opportunity. By early April I should be in Congo already and, unless I get too much rain between there and Zambia, I should be in northern Mozambique by month-end (from Zambia it's mostly blacktop until leaving Dar es Salaam). Tight, I know, but I will see how it goes and adapt where necessary. Enjoy your trip!

[kalaharigeorge]

Our plans may coincide as far as Cameroun. My start date is a bit flexible, but can't be before the end of Feb (ex-London). Stay in touch. Chris

[Simon660]

Hi Goto, myself and a mate should be in Morocco in the next day or two. We are riding an Africa Twin and KTM Adv. Planning on doing some exploring before heading (quickly) through Mauritania and on into Mali. Then down to Cape Town. At a rough estimate I reckon we should be in Mali towards the end of Feb. If our paths cross it would be great to meet up. Cheers. Simon