Track Info? Nema - Tombouctou - Gao ?

[ManxScamp]

Just mulling over some possibilities for our little excursion this Christmas, tis the season to be jolly after all

Has anyone recently done any of the tracks from Nema across to Timbuktu, either down via Nampala or more directly across toward Ras el Ma? What are these tracks like (very sandy?) for a high riding 2WD merc 300d with an industrial sump guard?
Also interested in the track going on to Gao on the north side of the river, anyone done this recently?

All amusing anecdotes enjoyed.


Scamp

[8340SU]

Check this link:
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...mbouctou-18256

P

[Chris Scott]

Also interested in the track going on to Gao on the north side of the river


I dont think you will manage this in a high riding 2WD merc 300d - very sandy ruts and bushes/trees trapping you in the ruts on the eastern half - a bad combination.

I believe one goes as far as a ferry over to Gourma on the south side which runs down to the Hombori highway then east to Gao ferry.

Ch

[roro]

May there is an other problem to do this route : I've heard this area (between Nema and Tombouctou ) not very safe . Any info about that ?
RR.

[ManxScamp]

Hey, thanks for the replies, it sounded like they were all going to have a crack at it last year so I should probably just pm some of them to see how it went
Lots of sand doesn't sound so good for us, so we maybe better to head south from Nema then back up via Lere.

[Chris Scott]

I saw an interestring documentary the other night and it claimed in the soft stuff old Mercs go a lot better in the soft stuff if you remove the doors, boot lid, seats, rad grill, etc. Shooting the floor pan helps too, for river crossings

Ch

[Bensouthall]

Yep saw that too Chris but was pretty unimpressed by the way the BBC allowed the Top Gear crew to abuse that part of the world.

I've travelled through Botswana extensively and the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans are one of the most isolated awesome places I've been lucky enough to visit, especially Kubu Island which is a very sacred place for the Setwanan people.

They did have a good time and it did make good TV but just can't understand why they had the smash the crap out of the cars and then burn the parts?

Boys being boys I suppose....just respect the country you're in, the environment you pass through and the people whose lands you lucky enough to visiting or you'll give the rest of us a bad name!

Sorry to whinge,

Ben

[Chris Scott]

...abuse that part of the world

I must say that was my instinctive reaction too - but i assume they anticipated many viewers will see it the same way and it was all done for show (ie, they cleaned up afterwards).

And what is 'the spine of Africa' anyway??

My impression is a lot of those TG challenges right back to the Hilux are 'creatively edited' to fine tune the jeopardy/suspense - (not least that arctic one the other week) but it's still fun telly.

Ch

[ManxScamp]

Unfortunatly I missed that (probably something to do with not having a telly!), I'll have to see if I can down load it.
Certainly sounds like our old Maud is already prep'd, with technical weight reducing ventilation holes & bits missing, ready to go!

[gregor]

hi Chris.

pls let me know:
tyres for car nissan terrano1 2,7td 4x4 : 205x16fulda AT will be ok for route in algieria or should i change it for any 235x16 bfgoodrichMT?
is many stones on the toad around tamm but the rest it's a good conditions.
route ghardaia-djanet-tamm-arlit?

Originally Posted by Chris Scott

Also interested in the track going on to Gao on the north side of the river


I dont think you will manage this in a high riding 2WD merc 300d - very sandy ruts and bushes/trees trapping you in the ruts on the eastern half - a bad combination.

I believe one goes as far as a ferry over to Gourma on the south side which runs down to the Hombori highway then east to Gao ferry.

Ch