Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > sub-Saharan Africa
sub-Saharan Africa Topics specific to sub-Saharan Africa. (Includes all countries South of 17 degrees latitude)
Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 23 Jan 2011
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Benin
Posts: 17
Traversing West Africa - carnet, visas, etc.

As I mentioned a couple months ago, I'm preparing to traverse West Africa to do a photo-documentary on Fulani culture.

Well we're about to depart, and we ran into some troubles with the Nigerian embassy. I won't get into details here, but we've put the story on our website:

PULAKU | the fulani photo-documentary project

In any case, I'm soliciting advice about the remaining countries in our itinerary: Burkina, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Mali, Guinea, Senegal, Gambia, and Mauritania.

I've done my research on all the countries, but I'm mostly interested in finding out if you know of any recent experiences and unexpected surprises.

As for Ivory Coast, we're only planning on touching the north of the country, far far away from potential conflict areas.

I've heard it's difficult getting a vehicle into senegal. Does the same apply for motorcycles? What can we expect?

Also, we plan on selling our 2 Yamaha Serows in Senegal in April. Should we anticipate a beurocratic mess, or should it be somewhat straightforward?

We don't have carnets because I've been led to believe all these countries allow you to pay the laissez-passer at the border. Am I mistaken?

I have the 5-country visa for Benin/Togo/Burkina/Niger/Ivory Coast. I'm planning on getting visas for Ghana, Mali, Guinea, Senegal, Gambia, and Mauritania at the borders or in neighboring capitals.

Thanks for your advice! Please follow along as we hit the road!

Christoph
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 23 Jan 2011
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Benin
Posts: 17
I'm making my assumption based on this information:

Anybody have recent experiences with getting a bike into Senegal?

Carnet de Passage - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Thanks!
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 25 Jan 2011
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Sweden
Posts: 1,460
Hi, dunno about the bike
but we were sneaking into Guinea and CIV last year without visas, just to have a look-see.
Sneaked out again same day, no problem. I thought visas were expensive, Guinea was 48000 CFA iirc. So we stayed in Mali-Burkina.
But what I wonder is how/where did you get your 5-country (visa d'entente) and how much did it cost?
Will be interesting to see if it works, but it should. I only heard that Niger didn't take it.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 25 Jan 2011
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Benin
Posts: 17
We got our 5-country Visa D'Entente in Cotonou - 24 hours easy process.

In light of the safety situation in Niger, we're skipping that, but hopefully using the visa for Togo, BF, and CI.

cheers,

Christoph
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 25 Jan 2011
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: johannesburg - south africa
Posts: 108
l'Entente Visa & Cote d'Ivoire

Last year I got the l'Entente visa from the Benin embassy in Pretoria. Before leaving Algeria I got confirmation from the Niger Embassy in Tamanrasset that Niger does accept the visa. Did hear about other border crossings where it was not accepted so I downloaded and printed the articles of the l'Entente agreement (edit: in French and English)and gave it to the border officials at Assamakka - that worked fine.

Entering Cote d'Ivoire at Tioboulounao (south of Kampti south of Gaoua in Burkina Faso) they had no Customs stamps and told me to ask at the next village. And then at the next and the next and so on until I finally got both entry and exit stamps when I left for Ghana. At Bouna (Cote d'Ivoire), still in the far northeast, a member of the unified peace force (probably disbanded now?) was instructed by his boss to sleep right outside my door because they thought the area still to be unsafe. I had no trouble though and did not even notice anyone looking at me strangely. Could be different now though due to the current political trouble.

Good luck!
Kobus
One Ball One Continent page on Facebook
__________________
"The fates lead him who will; him who won't they drag." - Anon

Last edited by Gottoride; 25 Jan 2011 at 19:04. Reason: added detail
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 26 Jan 2011
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Sweden
Posts: 1,460
Kobus! The rider who made it both in and out of Niger.
We came into CIV in February at the same border passage. The whole north was like a free zone with no government control (perhaps that's why they had no stamps).
If there had been unrest we didn't see any, only smiling people.
But we turned around and went back to Burkina before dark.
We paid 10000 CFA for Burkina visa but I heard they are now 40000.
If you're going through a number of countries with a full car it gets expensive.

So how much did the visa d'entente cost?

And can we find out where it can be bought? Anyone found it in Bamako? When you're in Burkina or Cotonou you have already paid for one or two visas.

Cheers
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 26 Jan 2011
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: johannesburg - south africa
Posts: 108
Hi Priffe,

I just found a 2007 thread in which 'seanh' said that he got his from the Togolese Embassy in Ghana - did not say how much it cost. 'hed' paid 25,000CFA in Accra (thread from 2002). 'Gozell' got it from the Burkina Embassy in Bamako in 2003 for 25,000CFA also. 'BenW' also got his from the same embassy in 2005, but did not say for how much.

Sorry - all the above is pretty old, but it seems like the Burkina Embassy in Accra is the place to go.

In Pretoria I paid R450 (roughly EU45) for sixty days, multiple entry - no hassles anywhere.

PS. South Africans don't need visas for Togo or Benin but there is no representation for Niger here, so this visa REALLY made a big difference in my case.

Safe travels!
Kobus
__________________
"The fates lead him who will; him who won't they drag." - Anon
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 26 Jan 2011
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Sweden
Posts: 1,460
Yes, that is about what I could find out, not much up to date. If the cost is then 25000 for all four one could save 100000 per traveller with the visa d'entente!?
+ saving time, waiting for one visa instead of five.
I shall ask around in Bamako next month.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 27 Jan 2011
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Port Harcourt, RS, Nigeria
Posts: 89
If your bikes are registered in Benin, you do not require a carnet in the rest of West Africa. All you need is the lasseiz-passe issued at the borders.

Oh, maybe that immigration official had a bad experience at some other embassy too, just a thought.
__________________
inyang

Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 28 Jan 2011
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Benin
Posts: 17
Thanks for all the advice.

I got my Visa d'Entente in Cotonou for 25,000 CFA. I live in Benin, on a 3-year work visa, so the VE was an easy decision.

I'm still looking for specific advice about getting the bike into Senegal. I hear they are very stringent. Anybody have specific experiences?

To make things more complicated, we're planning on selling the two Serows once we get to Dakar (though we certainly won't mention that when we first cross the border). Any advice on selling in Senegal?

Thanks!

Christoph
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 29 Jan 2011
Calzino's Avatar
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Bavaria
Posts: 8
bike into senegal

hi all,
I passed the border from mauretania a few days ago 80km east of rosso. no big hassel there.
they were asking for €250 per verhikel, but after some diskussions we agreed on €50 per car and €20 for the bike.
but they gave us 48 hours only!

they are killing tourism in senegal! now I'm in the gambia. they were asking for €50 at the border, but by "misunderstanding" I gave €15 which they finally akzepted. they gave me 10 day for the bike, but it should be easy (costing some €) to extend it at customs.

good luck and see you

calzino
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 31 Jan 2011
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Port Harcourt, RS, Nigeria
Posts: 89
Quote:
Originally Posted by pulaku View Post
Thanks for all the advice.

I'm still looking for specific advice about getting the bike into Senegal. I hear they are very stringent. Anybody have specific experiences?


Christoph
Four of us crossed into Senegal from Mali on motorbikes in April 2010. There was no special process, ride up to the customs shed, register the bikes (show your ECOWAS brown card insurance and registration docs) and pay for the laissez-passe which was about 10,000CFA or so. We actually rode into Senegal and had to turn back after 5km when we realized we had passed customs and immigration!

You have not answered the question on your bike registration, if registered in Benin, you should have no issues.
__________________
inyang

Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 31 Jan 2011
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Benin
Posts: 17
Thanks guys - that's just the info I was looking for.

Yes, the bikes are registered in Benin with CDEAO insurance, so it looks like we shouldn't have much trouble. Now we're just waiting for our license plates to be issued - we've been waiting 3 weeks so far!

cheers,

Christoph
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 8 Feb 2011
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 140
Quote:
Originally Posted by ta-rider View Post
For Namibia and Southafrica you definitly need a carnet to enter those countrys. About Senegal and Ghana i researched the same.
I can't comment on Ghana, but we have recently got bikes (without a carnet) into Namibia, Senegal and we'll find out about South Africa in a week.

Quote:
Originally Posted by ta-rider View Post
To get the Visa for Nigeria (the worst country in my trip where people tryed to robb me ad pull me off my bike) and Angola was a big problem but finaly i got them with lots of patiens at a very unfriendly embassy.
We got Nigerian visas in Bamako, Mali and Anoglan visas (transit) in Abuja, Nigeria without any problems. And also encountered no problems at all in Nigeria... aside from the general standard of drivers. I'm sure there are some horror stories, but don't get too scared by it all.

Good luck with the trip
Ben
__________________
Vladivostok - Denmark 2008... Finished.
Denmark - South Africa 2010-2011... Finished.
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 15 Feb 2011
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Madrid , Spain
Posts: 239
I also made Europe-Capetown without a Carnet. A bit tired of pointing this out , but a carnet is not required. CAN be used , but is not compulsory.

Only country bit picky abt this is Senegal -but there are lots of ways to circunvent this-.
Also at Namibia/SouthAfrica you need to buy a temporary import permit (was 80US?) for a bike

Rest of countries of the west coast route don't know , don't care abt carnets. Indeed It will cost you money to persuade them to stamp it.


*Recently -last November -drove a LR Discovery in Cameroon . (from London , via Lake chad) , also without carnet . Plan to resume my trip to SA , and then all the way to Tanzania without carnet . As lots of other people have done.*
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Visas for West Africa (Where from?) mogin'along 4 wheel Overland Travel 3 30 Dec 2008 21:10
Traversing Africa (West Coast) Current Location - Cameroon chriseras Motorcycle Events around the world 0 29 Jun 2008 00:59
Carnet and visas to West Africa kvv sub-Saharan Africa 3 21 Feb 2006 16:38
Carnet and visas for West Africa kvv North Africa 1 24 Dec 2005 16:15
Where to get Chad visas in West Africa tifua North Africa 1 6 Nov 2002 01:08

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 02:01.