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Current Border info From People on the ground for West Africa Current Border info From People on the ground for West Africa
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sub-Saharan Africa Topics specific to sub-Saharan Africa. (Includes all countries South of 17 degrees latitude)
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  • 1 Post By roamingyak

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  #1  
Old 25 Oct 2014
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Current Border info From People on the ground for West Africa
Hi Guys,

With all that is going on in West Africa right now I thought I would start a thread to try get as up to date info on current border crossings.

The route that I have planned right now is Morocco, Western Sahara, Mauritania, Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Cameroon,Gabon, Congo, DRC, Zambia.

Once in to East Africa crossings are very easy and all borders are open and all visas can be obtained at the border.

The latest I have heard is the border between Nigeria and Cameroon has been shut? If this is the case it makes it almost impossible to get through via West Africa. Unless it is possible to ship a bike from Togo or Benin to Gabon.

So if you are currently traveling through West Africa any info you can share will be a big help.

I am catching the ferry to Morocco on the 19th or 20th of December from Spain.

I know that there is a couple of us on here all trying to find out the current info.

I have been keeping an eye out on this sight. Border Monitor.
Africa Border Monitor

I have also started a blog for my trip and will be placing up to date info on my sight as I travel down through West Africa.

Link to my blog.
https://www.facebook.com/drcanafrica...homepage_panel

Regards

Patrick
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  #2  
Old 25 Oct 2014
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Mali to Mauritania border reported as closed, probably due to the ebola case in Kayes.

However, unclear if it is open if entering Mali FROM Mauritania. Suspect just if coming from Mali into Mauritania.

Malijet Le virus Ebola au Mali: la Mauritanie ferme sa frontière Mali Bamako
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Old 26 Oct 2014
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Originally Posted by Dave The Hat View Post
Mali to Mauritania border reported as closed, probably due to the ebola case in Kayes.

However, unclear if it is open if entering Mali FROM Mauritania. Suspect just if coming from Mali into Mauritania.

Malijet Le virus Ebola au Mali: la Mauritanie ferme sa frontière Mali Bamako
Cheers Dave,

Im still hopeful of doing this trip via West Africa! I just cant bring myself to take east coast yet. Only a month to go now. It still looks like I could still go through Senegal then cross into Mali? Its still the border between Nigeria and Cameroon that is coursing problems right now! Oasis is still departing on there trans trip next week.??

Patrick
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Old 26 Oct 2014
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"The latest I have heard is the border between Nigeria and Cameroon has been shut? If this is the case it makes it almost impossible to get through via West Africa."

Go around Nigeria - Niger and Chad - what people did for many years.....
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Old 26 Oct 2014
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Originally Posted by roamingyak.org View Post
"The latest I have heard is the border between Nigeria and Cameroon has been shut? If this is the case it makes it almost impossible to get through via West Africa."

Go around Nigeria - Niger and Chad - what people did for many years.....
Ive thought about that but just not to sure of the security situation is like going that way as you would have to then go through Central African Republic.
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Old 26 Oct 2014
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Look at a map. It will help your proposed trip tremendously ;-p ;-p

Cameron has a thin strip that goes up to border Chad.

However also note the serious troubles in the areas of Nigeria next to that thin strip and that some Frenchies were kidnapped in that Cameroon Strip a few months back...
French family seized in Cameroon by suspected Boko Haram Islamists freed | World news | theguardian.com

You have noted the concerns with CAR on the other side of the thin Cameroon strip - so don't piss about, get through asap.... ;-)

Good luck!
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Old 26 Oct 2014
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Originally Posted by roamingyak.org View Post
Look at a map. It will help your proposed trip tremendously ;-p ;-p

Cameron has a thin strip that goes up to border Chad.

However also note the serious troubles in the areas of Nigeria next to that thin strip and that some Frenchies were kidnapped in that Cameroon Strip a few months back...
French family seized in Cameroon by suspected Boko Haram Islamists freed | World news | theguardian.com

You have noted the concerns with CAR on the other side of the thin Cameroon strip - so don't piss about, get through asap.... ;-)

Good luck!
Just had a quick look at Africa border monitor and that border is closed because of fighting in the area.
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Old 26 Oct 2014
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Perhaps not surprising -but remember official stories and things on the ground are often different, and things can change quickly...

Perhaps talk to expats and the French embassy in Chad - there might be a weekly escorted convoy or something, or it might be open and that website incorrect etc

Or if your willing to write a letter to them absolving them of the risk they might let you cross etc. Hire a Cameroon soldier who is going south for a holiday or something to ride along?

There is often a way, it is part of the adventure I'm afraid....
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Old 26 Oct 2014
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Originally Posted by roamingyak.org View Post
Perhaps not surprising -but remember official stories and things on the ground are often different, and things can change quickly...

Perhaps talk to expats and the French embassy in Chad - there might be a weekly escorted convoy or something, or it might be open and that website incorrect etc

Or if your willing to write a letter to them absolving them of the risk they might let you cross etc. Hire a Cameroon soldier who is going south for a holiday or something to ride along?

There is often a way, it is part of the adventure I'm afraid....
Im currently in contact with my old boss who I worked with in Africa and they are about to start a west Africa Trans trip with 20 paxs im keeping an eye on how it goes for them as they will be a month in front of me. As you said things change very quickly out there and you just never quit know from Day to day hence why im still keen on heading south Via West Africa.
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Old 26 Oct 2014
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Good luck to all of you.

Cameroon-Chad border crossing closed after attack | Africa | Worldbulletin News

Reading between the lines - it may be closed to stop 'baddies' from crossing. Your unlikely to pose a threat to the national security of Chad or Cameroon so may be allowed to cross if you get permission in the capital and if not there then drive to the border and ask and be extremely polite and patient etc
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