Fuel availabilty sub-Saharan countries
 

I'm planning my next journey with my small motorbike in West-Africa ...
I'd like to have an idea of the fuel availability in the sub-Saharan countries.

I know (cause I've been there without vehicle but I saw different gas stations) that Morocco and Mauritania they are pretty well-provided

what's about the quality ? unleaded is not available right (or very hard to find)?
according to a friend of mine it shouldn't be a problem for the engine !
any idea about the price per liter ?

thanks a lot !
:scooter:

Heading the same way on a Serow in November...so interested in replies you may get! Message me if you'd care to swap info etc...
Richard

Hi,

This data is from my February 2011 trip:

Morocco
Average 10,34MAD/l or 0,91EUR/l

Western Sahara
Average 7,10MAD/l or 0,63EUR/l

Mauritania
Average 349MRO/l or 0,87EUR/l

Senegal
Average 790XOF/l or 1,20EUR/l

Didn't pay attention if it was leaded or not, I was riding a '97 Africa Twin.

In W. Sahara sometimes petrol had a nasty dark color, but the engine kept on going beer

In my mind it is handy to know the distance between fuel station in W. Sahara and Mauritania, since there are so few. Please PM me if you need their waypoints.

BR,
Luis Cabrita

Thank you Luis

I remember South of Agadir to Dakhla several petrol station ... but I was travelling by bus so I didn't pay attention

Can you confirm my memory :) ?

I don't remember any gas station between Dakhla and Nouahdibou in Mauritania (and it's a long distance)
Is my memory still ok ? :)

Can you tell us the average distance between the gas station in Western Sahara and Mauritania ? more or less of course :)


Thanks a lot

Hi,

Between Dakhla and Nouadhibou there are a few fuel stations but the more reliable is the fuel station/ restaurant/ hotel called Barbas that can be found at N22 03.292 W16 44.820 (some 85km before the Moroccan border).

The issue in Western Sahara is not only the quantity of fuel stations but their reliability - some run out of fuel, some do not have electricity or there is no one there.

I was lucky this February never reaching reserve in my Africa Twin, but I was stopping in Western Sahara for fuel whenever possible after 150km into the tank.

There are a few topics on the Sahara Forum about this subject but if you want the GPS location of all the fuel stations just PM me and I'll gladly send.

BR,
Luis Cabrita

Regarding the West Coast:

Western Sahara and Mauritania are actually the only places where there are long stretches without fuel. You can buy a fuel canister though or fill up plastic bottles. And there's a lot of traffıc along the main coastal route, so no danger.

In Sub-Saharan Africa, there's always a village around and someone will have a few liters or be able to organise some. Just plan a little ahead and you'll be fıne.

Then again, in Namibia you should really plan your routes. It's a vast country and on the smaller roads gas stations are sparse.