Rotterdam-Bamako 2008 @ YouTube

[de Duin]

Dear all

In dec07-jan08 we drove from Rotterdam (NL) to Bamako, Mali.
In spite of a (AQIM) attack on tourists in Mauri and the cancellation of the Dakar, a ****ed up engine (that we replaced at Just Buma's place in Atar) we reached Bamako in 1 month.

I posted 2 videos on You Tube of 2 great specials we drove:
1: Morocco, Merzouga-Zagora YouTube - Zand 2008 Special 1 Morocco
2: Mauritania, Guerguerat-Atar YouTube - Zand 2008 Special 2 Mauritania

Regards, Jurjen Duintjer

[jkrijt]

Nice video's
Thanks for sharing it with us.

[de Duin]

I've uploaded 2 more videos from our Rotterdam-Bamako trip.

* Atlantic Route section in Western Sahara YouTube - Zand 2008 Atlantic Route
* Nissan Patrol Engine switch in Atar YouTube - Zand 2008 Atar Engine Switch

that was it

Cheers, Jurjen

[EJAG]

Nice videos. In January 2009 Im planing to do same route. Is petrol - esence easy to find on the way like petrol service station (Atar, Kiffa, Mali).

Robert

Bamako - Rally - Team FUNCK

[maurice joyce]

Hi

are there any camp sites along by railway line as we will be on this route jan09 with kids and do not feel safe bush camping


thanks
maurice

[Jose Brito]

Hi,


Don't take me wrong, but if you feel unsafe in doing bush camping in Mauritania, then Mauritania is not your best destination! In Mauritania, you'll be bound to do bush camp a lot as there few campsites (apart from large settlements, like Nouak, Atar, etc.).

Between Nouadhibou and Atar there are no campsites (except at a few dozen kms of Atar), altough you may find shelter with the nomad camps along the railway. This should be a very pleasent experience.

Near Choum there several mountain rock pyles. These are perfect for bushcamping!!

Cheers,
José

[Chris Scott]

No campsites seen when I last did it in 2006 until Azogui or Atar. These rail line villages are pretty poor, rough 'bidonvilles' from what we saw. IMO it will be less hassle, cleaner and probably safer (as well as more fun!) to camp out in the desert. As anywhere, just get a few kms south of the main tracks, in a dip or behind a dune to get out of sight of passing traffic.

Ch

[Jose Brito]

Chris is right: the small villages along the railway aren't very interesting. When I mentioned "nomad camps" I was suggesting the few isolated khaimas (nomad tents) that can be spotted along the railway, especially in the area of Choum. These khaimas are ocuppied by a single family and most of them will be very pleased with your visit.

Cheers,
José

[maurice joyce]

Hi

We will bush camp have done it on 3 other trips and hope for the best

thank you
maurice

[de Duin]

Hi Maurice,

IMO wild camping in RIM is not a problem as long if there is no AQIM activity in the region. In December07, we first heard the news of the AQIM attack on French tourists, at the border MRC/MAU. We then decided to continue on Guerguarat-Atar. We encountered military patrols every day.
But in Atar, when we learned that the Dakar was cancelled, we on our behalf cancelled the Atar-Tidjikja section. We felt that camping in the open for 5 days makes you unneccesary vulnarable when there is a risk of encountering AQIM. This was a difficult dissicion, we did not have complete information, but I still think it was wise.
Our alternative route was Atar-Nouackhott-Senegal. That lead to new adventures in Senegal (a remarkably easy to arrange customs escort), Africa is always fun and full of surprises.
Nevertheless; I can't wait to drive the Atar-Tidjikja part, it's supposed to be very nice (and I want to spot the Nega Pass Crocodile !!)

Cheers and all the best.

Jurjen

[TransSaharaRally]

"In Mauritania, you'll be bound to do bush camp a lot as there few campsites (apart from large settlements, like Nouak, Atar, etc.)."

One of the best camps I've been (twice) is a camp in - or rather next to - Boutimit, a dusty little settlement on the way to Aleg. What a surprise that was... cold drinks and fresh goat meat on grill at night...

TSR