Transatlantic route south to north
 

Transatlantic route (South to North) for dummies

Hello Overlanders
We have some “burning” questions concerning doing the transatlantic route from south (Mali) to North (probably Slovakia). We will be moving to Europe after ten years West Africa…
We have an old Toyota Landcruiser BJ70 in reasonable condition with Malien numberplates, Malien Carte Grise, Malien Visite Technique and Malien insurance (only covering CDEAO countries so nothing North of Mali). We have Dutch passports with Malien visa, German international health insurance and a Dutch (no international) driving license. Plus two african dogs with dutch papers, chips and bloodtests results concerning rabies.

Our questions are:
- can we drive from Mali to Europe with a Dutch driving license (the interantional one is not valid anymore and we can only get a new one in Holland..)?
- how and where do we get insurances for our car for Mauretania, Marocco and Europe?
- Can we expect to get controls concernig the technical state of our car when we arrive in Europe?
- Has anyone experience or advise doing this trip with dogs?
- Apart from Mauretania, do we need a visa for Marocco or any other country?
- All information and advice concerning the trip, good campsites etc. are welcome!

Thanks!
Det and Nol

http://detnol.weebly.com

don't worrie
 

Sure, dutch license is international enough for Mauri/Morocco and certainly Europe.

Mauretania: at the first occasion, depends which border otherwise in the first town you cross.
Morocco: at the border ?
Europe: ?, maybe call the insurrance you last used in Holland and see what they can arrange, if you can get a insurrance through one of them, in most cases you will be insurred for Morocco too!

I suppose only if you are a danger one the road (missing lights, brakes, worn tyres stuffed with cloths, etc.) It's an foreign car and you have all the papers (even a Malien Visite Technique ?!).

I heard that Morocco can be difficult if you don't have the correct papers, I heard they can force you to let the dogs examine by a vet and let him give the injections he thinks are neccesary, which is suposed to be expensive

No


cheers

For transatlantic you will also need the pinnasse fitment for the BJ70 - you can get them from the port in Mopti.

Ch

Hello Bart
Yes indeed Malien visite technique: for personal cars every 12 months, trucks every 6 months and public transport every 3 months!!

Thanks for your answer!

Some Answers
 

Hi Det and Nol,

I went with motorbike last December from Marocco to Senegal and back.
- Driving license: If you go through Senegal, you might have problems with police around St. Louis, the rest is no problem at all. But: If you take your time with the policemen there it costs max. EUR 5,00 penalty.

- Insurance: Mauretania: at the boarder, West-Sahara (= Marocco): at the boarder I was asked by somebody, otherwise in the first town, as said before

- Dogs: I did not have any problems with dogs, Actually I cannot remember seen any.

- Visa: Only Mauretania is necessary

- Campsites: Nouadhibou: Baie du Levrier, Dhakla, before the police control turn to the right, Boujdour (in the middle of the town turn left, when coming from the South, there is a sign), Tan Tan Plage: Villa Ocean, very nice little hotel.

All the best to you. Enjoy the trip.

Lalli