Crossing into Senegal

[zedsdead]

Hmm I have been reading some old threads about crossing from Mauritania to Senegal. Does antone have any recent experiences?

I already have a visa, obtained in Madrid and valid until October. I also have a carnet for the bike.

Any views on what to expect would be helpful, this will be my first time. I am not sure about the euros thing. People talk about using them and I have none left. Should I pick some up on my way through Mauritania?

Cheers everyone.

[Helianthus]

Today we have made Mauritian visa in Rabat. Tomorrow i going to W-Sahara. I hope I get to Dakar without carnet. My bike is Varadero 1000, 5 years old. Does anyone have information on the Rosso border?

Thanks!

[zedsdead]

The Wesrtern Sahara is nice at the moment. I am here in Dakhla, a peaceful chilled out town.

The campsite is on the way into town just past the police checkpoint. Windy! But I guess it always is here. Have a good journey.

[Helianthus]

Benzin problem (missing) in Western Sahara? Temperature? (50C degrees?)
What kind of bike?

[zedsdead]

I had no problems with fuel on the way down, all the major towns had it. As for the tempreture it is cooler here because of the coast, if you wander inland then it does ramp up. I would say it is pleasantly comfortable.

As for the bike, it,s a big KTM and is fitted with an extra tank. Gives me almost 400 km range.

[slartybartfast]

i dd this route 4 years ago and would try for Diamma rather than Rosso as a crossing into Senegal cheaper and quicker(I used it on the way out).The route down to rosso from western sahara does have a section between Nouabhiddo and Nouakchat which can have no petrol for 500km, we carried spare petrol ,with the last station having petrol but month before did not

[saidschin]

Did it 7 months ago on a tenere 600, 28years, 23l tank about 400km range. No problem to get fuel. Had to wait once in mauretania an hour for electricity.... did senegal without carnet. Stayd actually 3 months wich was pretty illegal but who cares? Has cost me 30000 cfa less than 60 euros. Passavant from the border 5000cfa should be valid for 3-5days then can be extend two times for 20 days in dakar. This is the theorie, practice depends on youre talent of negotiation
With a carnet you have to pay nothing!! Within 3 days you have to go to dakar to let it confirm, thats all! Take a insurance, senegal is the only country where the police will look after that and bribe you if you dont have.
Im in nigeria since 3 weeks and stuck trying to fix the bike. And rosso was the worste border so far. Prepare yourself, but exept of this, senegal is a beautyful country!

[Knight of the Holy Graal]

Originally Posted by saidschin

did senegal without carnet. Stayd actually 3 months wich was pretty illegal but who cares? Has cost me 30000 cfa less than 60 euros. Passavant from the border 5000cfa should be valid for 3-5days then can be extend two times for 20 days in dakar. This is the theorie, practice depends on youre talent of negotiation
With a carnet you have to pay nothing!! Within 3 days you have to go to dakar to let it confirm, thats all! Take a insurance, senegal is the only country where the police will look after that and bribe you if you dont have.
Im in nigeria since 3 weeks and stuck trying to fix the bike. And rosso was the worste border so far. Prepare yourself, but exept of this, senegal is a beautyful country!

Hello!
Sorry, one clarification: if everything in my plans goes well (holiday period from work), I should make Italy - Gambia - Italy in December astride my Super Ténéré 1200.

I understand I don't need a CDP because my motorcycle is a MY 2010, but in this case, will I need the Passavant or do I need nothing?


And with regard to the insurance... is it available at the Mauri-Senegal border? Approximate price?




Thanks for your info!

[saidschin]

Hi Nick
Well the carnet has nothing to do with the age, its a customs thing. Not sure, probably you have to take a passavant, but maybe you can talk yourself out... try it... its possible to make the insurrance in nouakchott, there are ones for whole westafrika, carte brun. 3 months less than 60 euros. When i was at the border i did only one for 5 days because i felt like they tried to cheat me. But you can try. I did mine in st.louis, axa insurrance...
Enjoy the trip

[Knight of the Holy Graal]

Originally Posted by saidschin

Hi Nick
Well the carnet has nothing to do with the age, its a customs thing. Not sure, probably you have to take a passavant, but maybe you can talk yourself out... try it... its possible to make the insurrance in nouakchott, there are ones for whole westafrika, carte brun. 3 months less than 60 euros. When i was at the border i did only one for 5 days because i felt like they tried to cheat me. But you can try. I did mine in st.louis, axa insurrance...
Enjoy the trip

Thanks mate.
For the moment, it's important to know that I don't need a CDP: I wanted to obtain it for a trip to Iran in 2009 but it was crazily expensive...
And this year I'll be on a quite tight budget for this trip to Dakar, if I want to ride Oman and UAE during the 3-week holidays of 2015.


You say that I can get the insurance in Nouakchott...
But if I don't want to lose so much time in the research of the office (I have only 24 days to go to Gambia and return), is there the possibility to get it also at Morocco-Mauritania and Mauritania-Senegal borders?

[Helianthus]

I survived Rosso...

Mauri side: 100euro approx
Senegal side: 27000cfa, and 130euro for my motorbike (5years and 5mounths old) My passavant valid 10 days, not only 2 days. This is 30 euro.

My english so bad.

[moggy 1968]

Originally Posted by Helianthus

I survived Rosso...

Mauri side: 100euro approx
Senegal side: 27000cfa, and 130euro for my motorbike (5years and 5mounths old) My passavant valid 10 days, not only 2 days. This is 30 euro.

My english so bad.

Sounds very expensive to me. Long time since I did these borders. Rosso 10 years ago, proper nightmare so next time (8 years ago) did barrage, much better. 2 vehicles and 4 people including passevant was about 100 euro and a coat!

All depends on your negotiating skills. First time loved St Louis, second time loads of trouble with the police trying to rob you every few miles, absolutely hated it.

Be firm but polite and determined. They get bored eventually as well. Never pay what they first ask for and preferably nothing at all! Got pulled 4 times for alleged traffic misdemeanours, all bullshit, but only actually paid up the first time, and then half what they originally demanded.

[zedsdead]

Well I went through the border, all the details are in my ride thread. Good luck everyone. I am beginning to really hate the corruption. It is putting a sour edge to things.

[Knight of the Holy Graal]

Originally Posted by zedsdead

all the details are in my ride thread.

Sorry, mate, where can I find it?

Thanks in advance!

[saidschin]

Agree with moggy. Way to expensiv... well if u dont have your senegal visa in advance, the full not only the pre form, i suggest you to go anyway to the senegalese embassy in nouakchott. If you have the visa already, you can go for the insurrance at the border but the hustle is gona be big. So be there early to have enough time. I paid for the 3 months carte brun about 30000 cfa so a insurrance for only senegal should not be more than 10000 maybe 15000 cfa and another one you will not get at the border i think. The axa office in st.louis is facing the roundabout befor the big bridge, pont faidherbe, looking at the bridge to the right maybe after 100m right sided....