Any recent news on riding through Nigeria?
 

After way too much partying, I'm sitting in Dakar planning the next phase of my west coast route down to Namibia and trying to decide on how to get from Ghana to Cameroon. The usual stories of violence and corruption in Nigeria prevail.

Does anyone have recent experience of travelling through this equatorial paradise and is anyone heading in that direction? One or two people have suggested skirting round the north of the country where things are quieter. I'm also wondering about the state of the roads for my overloaded GS..

Any input would be appreciated.

Rick

[This message has been edited by rickx (edited 01 May 2004).]

At the beginning of april we drove through Nigeria to Cameroon by the following route: Nikki (Benin) to Kaiama (bad road but Nigerians drive along that road with small Toyotas!), Kaduna; Kano; Maiduguri, Banki, Maroua.

The police has been extremely friendly and helpfull with us. Nevertheless locals have to dash all the time.

In Kano we have taken a nightbus to and from Calabar to get our visa. This is very convenient as roads and buses are fast in Nigeria.

Traffic in Nigeria is the worst we have seen so far in West Africa. Try to avoid driving at night at any time, as there are a lot of people driving with either too much or no lights at all.

All in all it was far better than we expected.

Good luck,

Ike and Susan

Thanks Ike, that was great input. I will probably follow the same route.

Where are you now?

We will be going through in the next couple of weeks and will keep you posted when able too.

Hello,

Some time ago (2003) drove from Benin through the northern stats to Cameroun. We got our Visas in Lagos which was an adrenaline rush for the whole week.

Anyway, keep any aye on the bbc news (excellent email service) because there were some violent clashes around the jos plateau....

otherwise, nigeria is a cool place!

grtz!

Thanks guys!

At the moment we are in Brazzaville (Chez Liebermann).
I will post some info on Congo at the question about passing through Congo-DRC-Angola.

Good Luck,

Ike and Susan