Quick check on Nigerian and DRC visa

[jamesallen]

I'm due to head off from the UK in the next 4-8 weeks and just wanted to check I've got the correct (latest) info on the 2 dificult visas on my route to S Africa.

My understanding is that both the Nigerian and DRC visas are obtainable on the road (with a bit of patience), but it would be great if others could confirm / correct me.

NIGERIA
I've heard Ouagadougou is the best option, but Cotonou is a back up

DRC
I've heard Cotonou is the best option, but Yaounde is a back up - then crossing at Luozi

Is this correct? Are there any tips and tricks to getting one issued? Any unusual requirements beyond the normal (application form, photos, passport copies, exhorbitant fee)

Thanks

James

[motolight]

You can try to get Nigerian visa in Bamako, capital of Mali. I got it there and so far I heard that it is one of the easiest place to obtain it.

[jamesallen]

Originally Posted by motolight

You can try to get Nigerian visa in Bamako, capital of Mali. I got it there and so far I heard that it is one of the easiest place to obtain it.

Thanks. I've heard that Bamako is good for a lot of visas. Can I ask how long it took?

I was planning to avoid Mali as it sounds like there is a genuinely high chance of terrorism, kidnap etc, but I may need to route myself this way anyway as the ivory coast's borders with guinea and Liberia seem set to stay closed.

Do others see the threat in southern Mali as better or worse than say southern Burkina Faso, mauritania or Southern Nigeria?

Do you know of somewhere low key to stay in Bamako?

Sorry for all the questions!

[Wanted]

Bump, interested in more info as well. Heading into Africa in week or two

[Herr_Bünzli]

Greetings!

I made my Nigerian visa in Bamako in January. Cost me 40'000CFA, a lovely English chap I met paid 65'000 iirc. Apply one day pick it up two days later after 14:00. The embassy is at N12°37.005 W007°58.558 My open street map coordinates were not correct and I spent some time searching. They wanted two copies of passport and vehicle registration on seperate papers plus two passport photographs.

My DRC visa was obtained in Yaoundé. It cost me 100'000 CFA. I went there Wednesday morning, they handed me the application forms over and told me to be back the next day 8:30. The next day I was there with copies of passport and yellow fever card. The day after at 8:30 my passport was ready for pick up. The embassy is at N03°53.781 E011°30.843.

I have yet to cross into DRC to see if I will have any problems because the visa was not issued in my home country, but from what I know from other overlanders(a group of four on bikes, an English solo biker and an English family in a truck) nobody has visa related issues.

Concerning the safety situation in Mali: stay to the south and you will be fine. I crossed into Mali coming from Kedougou in Senegal and left at Sikasso. The most dangerous situation for me was a drug related diziness while trying to walk down some stairs. Sample size one, I know, but according to locals the whole country south of Mopti is safe. At least by African standards. However, the state of this can change quickly, keep an eye on it, but as of today I can only recommend going through Mali

[kingkoru]

Just finished the west route, get your Nigerian visa in Bamako and DRC in Cotonou Benin, get Angola in Accra Ghana.

I made a post about where I and allot of CURRENT overlanders got the visas:

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...t-africa-85513

Good luck on the West! Its Awesome!

[jamesallen]

Thanks Guys - really appreciate it!
Bamako it is then for Nigeria. I'll try Cotonou first for as it always gives me the option of Yaounde if it is difficult.

Good travels!

[Baobabia]

If you plan to go to Guinea-Bissau, you can get the Nigerian visa also in Bissau. We paid 60.000 CFA because our country was not on the list, but otherwise they have prices according to nationality. We didn't need a letter of invitation there, only hotel bookings (booking.com, cancel thereafter). Got it within one day.
And Guinea-Bissau is a relaxed and nice country - can recommend Varela beach for wild camping.

DRC we got from home, so can't comment on that.

Safe travels - West Africa was awesome!

BR
Sandra

www.afrikabisunten.wordpress.com

[Wanted]

Is it possible to pick up a Nigerian visa in Ouagadougou or Cotonou? Really looking for some information on this

[jordan325ic]

As of June/July/Aug 2015...

I got my DRC visa in Yaounde, Cameroon (very easy, but around $200 for a 2 month). I tried also in Senegal (with psuedo-residency), Mali, Benin and Nigeria with no options for non-residents. The man at the embassy in Lome, Togo would do it for some ridiculous price (I think $450 total?) but it was clearly just going into his pocket and I don't support that sort of thing.

Nigeria I sent home for (didn't realize Bamako was an option), but I also met several people who got it in Bamako no problems.

Yes, crossing at Louzi is the best option.