Situation in Mauritania since 29Nov09?

[roamingyak]

I did the road 3 days before the kidnappings I think.

From 'bou to 'chott is just less than 500km, there were 13 checkpoints then (various police and customs) but also long stretches of nothing inbetween.

There isn't much traffic, but if you stop for 30 mins usually 3-10 different vehicles would go past in that time, mostly all mercedes being taken to be sold and tourists.

Horrible place to break down, usually very windy and sandy but you wouldn't die etc. There are variouis little settlements along the way and places you can call in for tea etc (Auberges, but not the fancy western version)

Leave early in the morning (7am) and you will be in 'chott by 3pm easily and it allows a few hours for things to go wrong or taking pictures.

As ever, never tell guides/hangers on what your plans are - if going to 'chott, say you have just come from there and are going in the opposite direction etc etc

I was on the road from Kiffa to Nioro the day after it happened and noted nothing special from the Police etc - but it would take a few days to sort out.

I would imagine convoys/escorts will become the norm - surely the road through to Nioro is a much easier target if the plan is to get them into Northern Mali?

[chris]

In a post by "SilviaR" at Wüstenschiff :: Thema anzeigen - Entfuehrung in Mauretanien dated 05Dec09 sent from Nouakchott this lady says there is no noticeable difference in the security situation since 29nov09 compared to before. She says that in a stretch of 100km between 2 checkposts there was nobody. Between these 2 checkposts, the 3 Spaniards were taken.

She went in convoy with others.

Chris

[strimstrum]

Rick Travis is now in Western Sahara en route for Mauritania so he must have got his visa in Rabat a few days ago. He hasn't sent an e-mail yet to update on border crossing but he is heading further south each day according to his "SPOT" co-ordinates and he must be asking questions about the border crossing along the way. The fact that he is still heading towards the border is hopeful. Will post again with more info when known.

[shanghaied]

Hi all -

I am planning to drive through Mori in about two weeks and will not be calling it off in total - the points that security will be higher and there were a lot of special features of the kidnapped workers make much sense to me.

I had though been hoping to veer off to Atar and spend a day or two visiting Ben Amira and so on then proceed to NKT. Would this be very silly and I should drive straight through to NKT from NDB? Or would it still be as safe or more as the main tar road?

This'll be my first time in Mori (though not first in post-"bad news" environment)

Luke

[doues_1n2]

Originally Posted by shanghaied

Hi all -

I am planning to drive through Mori in about two weeks and will not be calling it off in total - the points that security will be higher and there were a lot of special features of the kidnapped workers make much sense to me.

I had though been hoping to veer off to Atar and spend a day or two visiting Ben Amira and so on then proceed to NKT. Would this be very silly and I should drive straight through to NKT from NDB? Or would it still be as safe or more as the main tar road?

This'll be my first time in Mori (though not first in post-"bad news" environment)

Luke

Luke, Im planning something similar around then too. I would prob stick to the NDB-NKT route considering all I have read on the net and these forums, it would be the 'safest' option.

Wondering though when people think is the best time to drive the road NDB-NKT, ie early or mid morning or afternoon? I've heard it can get quite windy and sometimes hard to see too far ahead?

Also, is it possible to obtain a list of the official road blocks/checkpoints to expect on the way. It appears there are between 11 and 13 but I see knowing where to expect to be stopped an added measure of being situationally aware esp given these current event

[saharaeend]

Hey guys,

Passed the Nouadhibou - Nouakchott stretch a day before the kidnapping, alone by 2cv, hearing about it the next morning in Nouakchott.

As for the road, it is a good road, the only worry (by then) a bit of bad road at km 225 from Nouadhibou.

Police checkpoints are straightforward, and even quicker when we received the news and heading to the south two days after. The police seems to understand the worry of overlanders. Just keep ur "fiche" (paper with passportnumber, chasisnumber etc...) with u and you'll be off in a minute.

The road is almost perfect and even the 2cv speeding at 100km/hr, no problem.

Even though the kidnapping didn't happen by then, I tried to follow the bus heading from north to south instead of waiting for a convoy.

There's a petrol station half way, where you can wait up others or the next bus. I know it isn't a guerantee of safety, but no-one can give that.

Overall, I think, with a bit of planning and looking for others in Nouadhibou, I wouldn't cancel my trip through Mauri. Find fellow-travellers, reschedule your planning - if nescessary- a bit and go in daylight. It's 465km from town to town, which can be done in 5/6 hrs.

[Chris Scott]

Or would it still be as safe or more as the main tar road?

I think so. If they grab you off the N1 they can grab you anywhere. Just don't shout about it. But I would not do this piste alone, even before last week and no way solo on a bike. You will get stuck in the sand once or twice.

Ch

[Dazzerrtw]

Originally Posted by chris

Hi
Didn’t want to hijack this thread on the hostage kidnap: http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/sahara-travel-forum/western-tourists-attacked-in-mauritania-46792
so wish to start a new thread. Has anyone travelled into/through Mauritania since the day (night) of the kidnappings? What’s the situation now in terms of security? Any change to before?

I’m monitoring the situation, but from a personal point of view... My bike is already in Malaga, I have a flight to Malaga booked for 18Dec09 and a flight from Dakar back to the UK booked for end of December (bike parking in Gambia). My plan was (and still is) to transit Mauritania down the main coast road, right past where it happened.

I intend to ride in the daylight only.

This might seem like a very silly question: How busy is the main Atlantic highway in Mauritania? Do you see a vehicle every minute/ every hour/ 5 cars all day?

Cheers for any input.

Ride and drive safely,
Chris

Chris...you need to hire the service of a ex Para

one that can ride a bike

Also he need's to be good at bike maintenance

Anyone spring to mind

On a serious note , I would be more worried if I were doing this route in a 4x4,rather than on a Motorcycle.

stay safe Chris

Dazzer

[chris]

I got this reply to an email I sent to a contact who lives in Mauritania:

Quote
Situation is quiet.
Here also a total blackout on the kidnapping.
But for sure security has been reinforced everywhere in the country.
I cant garantee anything but would normally travel. Also all borders are normally opened and there are no restrictions.
Unquote

Chris

[lambchop]

Chris

When you say that you would not do the Mori Border to Choum route alone is this because of security concerns regarding crime and terrorism or because of difficulty?

[Jose Brito]

Hi,

I would not recommend doing R2 alone for both reasons, but especially the piste is hard for a solo rider. Also, I would bet that kidnappers crossed this region to get to Mali. But probably, this could mean that the area is secure for the next times...

Cheers,
José

[Chris Scott]

... crime and terrorism or because of difficulty?

Primarily the difficulty IMO.

The kidnappers would have zipped across R2 somewhere around Ben Amira and cut a corner of the PFZ before heading east for north Mali (or so José and I have speculated). But I doubt there will be much added security along R2. Where would they start?

Regarding difficulty - even if you head for Choum and not direct to Atar (as R2 does) on a bike you have to carry a fair amount of fuel through the low dune sections. Sure you can ride the rubble between the rails to avoid the cordons, but there are 2 trains a day and getting up on the tracks can be tricky. It's all so much easier with someone to help or a 4x4 to carry the gear.

Ch

[bydgoszcz-dakar]

What with the visa to Mauretania- is it still possibile to get visa at the border after 29 Nov 09?
We going to cross it 03.01.2010.

[chris]

Originally Posted by bydgoszcz-dakar

What with the visa to Mauretania- is it still possibile to get visa at the border after 29 Nov 09?
We going to cross it 03.01.2010.

You couldn't get a visa at the border in the weeks before 29nov. You can't now either: http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...border-46171-2

Rabat is the place to go.
HTH
Chris

[The Toad]

Oh B*******

Update from the UK FCO site.

We advise against all travel to the eastern and northern provinces of Mauritania - Tiris Zemmour, Adrar, Tagant, and Hodh el Chargui - due to the continuing high threat from terrorism throughout the country, This includes all areas bordering Mali, Western Sahara and Southern Algeria. We advise against all travel to the western provinces of Dakhlet-Nouadhibou and Inchiri, after the kidnapping of three Spanish aid workers in November 2009. This includes the road from the port of Nouadhibou to Nouakchott. We advise against all but essential travel to the rest of the country. We believe that terrorists continue to plan attacks. These could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.