Ghana, Togo, Benin border and car formalities - Horizons Unlimited

ag · #1 2 Oct 2006

Hi all,
Has anyone recent infos regarding travelling with owned car through this coutries?
In detail, imaging to join they from Mali (and Burkina) are they looking for the Carnet de Passage?
Is it safe passing through BOuagadogou to rich Benin?

Thanks!
Ciao
Ag

ag · #2 5 Oct 2006

PLS guys... no one has something to tell about?
It's strange, a so large community, with so many good travellers spotted around that area... :-(
Is it a new part of the Sahara "Empty Quarter"?

Also bad news will be better than nothing... TNKs!
ciao
Ag

**DougieB** · #3 5 Oct 2006

about a year ago by bike, no carnet from Mali to Burkina, carnet from Burkina to Ghana. Ghana was a slow process, welcome to British influence, forms, forms, forms. Ghana embassy in Bamako issues visas.

Going into Ghana I was still in the mode of offering up my carnet, so I'm not sure if it's a requirement. I think they actually copied it out in triplicate.

never had any safety problems. £1 bottles of Gin we're not very safe though...

ag · #4 5 Oct 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by DougieB

about a year ago by bike, no carnet from Mali to Burkina, carnet from Burkina to Ghana. Ghana was a slow process, welcome to British influence, forms, forms, forms. Ghana embassy in Bamako issues visas.

Going into Ghana I was still in the mode of offering up my carnet, so I'm not sure if it's a requirement. I think they actually copied it out in triplicate.

never had any safety problems. £1 bottles of Gin we're not very safe though...

Thanks! :-) It's a partially good info!
So, to avoid carnet hassles, costs, etc. maybe I'd to cross from BF to Benin or Togo directly... Any infos about roads and pistes? What to see and where to non pass through?
Ciao
Ag

**DougieB** · #5 5 Oct 2006

pretty sure you could go through Ghana without a carnet, though I haven't done it so could be talking rubbish. Worth it though.

roads are pretty much tar all the way, on the main routes anyway. Nice French hotel in Lome (Togo), steak and chips and red wine... Benin visa was a hassle, you only get a 24 hour visa at the border and must go to the capital to get it extended. it's all pretty much straightforward travel (as much as it can be in that region).

If you're coming via Mali you'll probably find those countries a walk in the park by that time.

**slobo** · #6 18 Oct 2006

Hi there -

We are in Ghana now - driving a TLC 80 series with UK reg.

We needed our carnet and they gave us some BS about needing an extra form b/c it was RHD so the formalities took almost 3hrs - no exchange of money tho just a PITA to deal with. Not sure at this point about Togo/Benin and carnet but expecting to have to use it...we'll see.

Headed into Togo, Benin, Nigeria in next 3wks. Dont know about roads in north Togo so sorry cant help w that. As much as want to go there we dont have the time.

Tip on visas...

Dont know if you can get it from Togo Embassy b4 u leave but we got a 5 country multi entry visa for Togo/Benin/Burkina/Ivory Coast/Niger for $50US, valid for 2mths. Still turned out to be cheaper to buy even tho we will only be using for Togo/Benin portion of trip... had already passed thru Niger/Burkina. Not all embassies issue but start with Togo first. The Togo embassy in Accra definitely issues it tho.

hope this helps.
slobo

ag · #7 23 Oct 2006

Thanks Slobo,
pls get in contact within this forum as we'll start trip on end of december...
Any suggestion or info "on the road" will be a good help!

Cheers
Ag

**Ironbutt** · #8 23 Oct 2006

Hi,

I am in Ghana at the moment and will be here until January. My suggestion would be that you contact me when you get close to this area as things change overnight in these areas. The roads are all pretty good and if you give me an idea of what route you will travelling at the time I will forward you as much information as I can. One thing I would suggest is that you travel with a Carnet, just makes life easier.

Regards

ag · #9 24 Oct 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ironbutt

Hi,

I am in Ghana at the moment and will be here until January. My suggestion would be that you contact me when you get close to this area as things change overnight in these areas. The roads are all pretty good and if you give me an idea of what route you will travelling at the time I will forward you as much information as I can. One thing I would suggest is that you travel with a Carnet, just makes life easier.

Regards

Well..., our intent is to cross Burkina fastly, then enter in Benin from north, make a trip in Alantika Mountains, descent untill the coast and then enter in Togo.
Go searching for voodo and then to the north area for other cerimonies, maybe cross border with Ghana and make a little tour on Volta Lake.
By now, Ghana is an option (not so much time to do all) but certainly Benin and Togo will be scanned the more that we can.
But, as you said, things changes every day, and an option could be a must...
Any idea where could be leaved the car along the coast (Togo or Benin)?

pls, let me know your details:
this is my email is: ag_adrar[AT]yahoo[DOT]it

Thanks!
Ciao
Ag

**Hindu1936** · #10 26 Oct 2006

Slobo, could you please expand on the multi-entry visa? Where did you get it, and does it really allow easier border crossings through those countries? We intend to come down the west coast as much as possible and so will go through Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria. Apparently, the only decent road for a short-wheeled-tired scooter is going around Liberia either from Sierra Leone or Guinea and drop sown through Mount Nimba. Any idea of tarred roads there? Thanks for any help