Wilberforce Charity Expedition to Sierra Leone

[JonnyRichards]

Hi everyone,

I'm a new member on this forum and I'm in the process of reading Chris Scotts book to get some hints and tips for a charity expedition from Hull (UK) to Sierra Leone.

Firstly, before I ask some questions, am I on the correct forum? I know we will have to cross the Sahara but there is a Sub-sahran forum.

Thanks

Jonathan

[Chris Scott]

Hi Jonathan, thanks for asking - many dont and just post here because it is the businest forum.
I would say your Sahara crossing is going to be no drama but if you have Sahara questions (ie, not south of NKT and beyond) fire away.
You may find:
sub-Sahara
4WD Overland Tech
4WD Overland TRAVEL
more useful.

Chris

[JonnyRichards]

Hi Chris,

Thanks for responding.

Firstly, we hope to travel as a group to SL, probably 4 Landcruisers.

Which route do you recommend we take? We would like to accomplish the journey in three weeks, is that realistic?

Jonathan

[Richard K]

Originally Posted by JonnyRichards

Hi Chris,

Thanks for responding.

Firstly, we hope to travel as a group to SL, probably 4 Landcruisers.

Which route do you recommend we take? We would like to accomplish the journey in three weeks, is that realistic?

Jonathan

3 weeks sounds OK, but you won't be taking many diversions or breaks. Ferrying to Bilbao or Santander cuts out at least some motorway grind.

UK to the Senegalese or Mali border is very straightforward. Good fast (long) roads all the way (just 5k of piste at the Mori/Moroc border), after Moroc you simply follow the Atlantic road through W.Sahara & Mauri all the way to NKT.

It's after Mauritania (sub-Sahara) that things might get 'interesting' and you will have a choice of routes - lots of good stuff in the sub-Saharan forum.

[JonnyRichards]

Thanks for the advice!

I was unsure about the political situation in Western Sahara. Is that OK?

Also, when we get to the more interesting stuff, what would be the best route?

Jonathan

[Chris Scott]

>>>I was unsure about the political situation in Western Sahara. Is that OK?

Nothing going on there that will slow you down, tho 3 weeks UK to SL sounds fast.

Beyond Sahara, as RK says, it will get 'interesting' - expect the pace to slow right down.

Ch

[JonnyRichards]

I know this might not be the policy of the forum Chris, but I'm new to all this stuff and would appreciate talking to you in person - I have lots of questions.

Is that possible??

Jonathan

[dlsmawfield]

Dear Jonny,

By coincidence I am a Hull lad, now married to a Sierra Leonean and based between U.K. and Sierra Leone. I'm actually planning to try drive all the way down there starting from Hull leaving hopefully end of next week. It will depend on the condition of my vehicle (right now not starting, hopefully just flat battery) and on finances (after repairing vehicle and organising documentation).

I may be on the optimistic side but it looks like quite an easy run, in fact I was expecting it to take just a little over a week (I'm not intending to dawdle on the way). As the crow flies it's about 5,000 miles so even if only covering 5-600 miles per day this might not be too unrealistic. I was most worried about crossing the Sahara but apparently this is now a covered road all the way. The only tricky section in terms of driving should be between Tambacouda, Senegal and Labe, Guinea. The highway between Guinea and Sierra Leone is now graded if not yet completely tarred.

As a Brit you will need Guinea and Sierra Leone visas in advance (I intend to get them in Senegal). The rest you could pick up on the borders. For vehicle permits it's looking to me like a carnet is the best option, as getting through Senegal with a 5+ year old car can be tricky/ expensive. Otherwise you could get everything on the way.

Any other questions let me know, I might well have researched it already.

Cheers, Daniel

[JonnyRichards]

My word! Now that is a coincidence!!

It would be really great to talk with you and keep in touch during your journey.

Can you call me on my mobile or landline (I'll call you back to save the costs)??

07939 512215 or 01482 629933

Jonathan

[Richard K]

Originally Posted by dlsmawfield

I may be on the optimistic side but it looks like quite an easy run, in fact I was expecting it to take just a little over a week (I'm not intending to dawdle on the way). As the crow flies it's about 5,000 miles so even if only covering 5-600 miles per day this might not be too unrealistic.

I'd keep your schedule flexible. Off the pan-Saharan highway those sort of daily distances are only really possible driving by shift and by night. Crows rarely fly straight in Africa and they don't fly for long before getting called down to deal with some issue or other.

[JonnyRichards]

I was thinking that a week sounded like a very short amount of time!

Jonathan

[dlsmawfield]

Hehe, I guess when I said "a little over a week" I really meant at least 10 days. However as stated I don't intend to leave the highway, and I was hoping to drive with a 3 litre diesel Mercedes (it loves highways). Myself I actually prefer to drive at night in Africa, it's quieter of course and I find it easier to spot obstacles in the road. Javier has driven down a few times and here are his average riding times (with a motorcycle):

Day 1 Ceuta Marrakech
Day 2 Marrakech Tan Tan
Day 3 Tan Tan Dakcla
Day 4 Dackla Nouaddibou
Day 5 Nouaddibou Nouatchott
Day 6 Nouatchott Dakar
Day 7 Dakar Banjul

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...a-bissau-11471

So reach Dakar in under 5 days with a car doesn't seem too unreasonable. That's the bulk of the mileage done, but then the remaining distance to Freetown will likely take the same time again...

Unfortunately it seems the person who sold me my Mercedes didn't bother to send off the registration certificate. So I have to apply now for it myself. It will delay my departure by at least a month.

[JonnyRichards]

Hi Dan,

What are you driving in to SL? Is it a 4x4 Mercedes?

J.

[Richard K]

Just take the docs to your local DVLA, they 'should' be able to give you a temporary V5 over the counter that will serve fine. That's presuming you can get hold of the last owner's v5? I had to do this last year, it took about 10 minutes.

3 litre Merc - sounds like the right kind of car for your kind of roadtrip, up until NKT at least. A LR or TLC is a pain on these long stretches of tar.

Oh, and you forgot:
Day 0.1 UK to France
Day 0.2 France to Ceuta...

My guess is 14 days flat out - you can take that as a challenge!
; )

[dlsmawfield]

Thanks for the tip Richard... unfortunately I already posted off the new owner's slip this afternoon so will probably just have to sit and wait for the reissued certificate. Frustrating though as I am eager to take up your 14 day challenge... To cut 1 day off I intended to take the ferry direct to Spain.

In fact although the Mercedes saloons must better any other 2WD on rough roads, I've noticed the front is very close to the ground on this car. It looks as if maybe the suspension has been lowered. In fact I have doubts whether it will manage off the highway, so maybe I will send this one by ship and acquire a more suitable vehicle (would love a G-Wagon instead of course!).