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-   -   Nigeria & Cameroon (https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/sub-saharan-africa/nigeria-and-cameroon-41773)

WillCalderwood 27 Mar 2009 13:12

Nigeria & Cameroon
 
1. Does anyone know how much diesel costs in Nigeria currently? I've heard massively varied values and would like to know the story. Also, how good is the availability? Are the old supply problems still ongoing?

2. Where is the best place to get a cameroon visa in Nigera? I know it's available in Abuja, and the town near the border C..... forgotten the name. Does anyone know the cost differene / time difference in obtaining the visa?

3. Anyone know a good place to stay when picking up the visa?

4. We're looking at crossing the border near the 'Ring Road' in cameroon. Does anyone know the current state of the border / road? Is road likely to be in an ok conditon in early/mid April. We can take the short route anticlockwise, or the long route clockwise from the border, any recomendations?

Thanks for your help.

thelazycyclist 30 Mar 2009 11:39

Hi Will. I'm in Abuja at the moment and on my bicycle but since you haven't had a reply yet, I'll fill you in on the parts I have answers for...

1. Does anyone know how much diesel costs in Nigeria currently? I've heard massively varied values and would like to know the story. Also, how good is the availability? Are the old supply problems still ongoing?

I believe diesel is between 85 and 90 Naira a litre throughout the country, although it is more expensive (100 N) here in Abuja. Coming across central Nigeria (from Benin - Save border post) there were lots of abandoned petrol stations (apparently built so that the owners can obtain licenses to buy and sell petrol which is then smuggled out of the country). Availability seems ok in Abuja, although lengthy queues appear to develop too.

2. Where is the best place to get a cameroon visa in Nigera? I know it's available in Abuja, and the town near the border C..... forgotten the name. Does anyone know the cost differene / time difference in obtaining the visa?

We're going to apply here in Abuja. The info I have from others who have applied here last week is that it takes up to 48 hours and costs 80 euros. I'm not sure if they will take other currencies. I understand that it might be slightly quicker in Calabar (perhaps same or next day). Cost there if it hasn't changed should be 51,000 CFA.

3. Anyone know a good place to stay when picking up the visa?

In Abuja there is free (unofficial) camping at the rear of the Sheraton hotel car park. Just speak to them at reception and provide a photocopy of each person's passport data page.

4. We're looking at crossing the border near the 'Ring Road' in cameroon. Does anyone know the current state of the border / road? Is road likely to be in an ok conditon in early/mid April. We can take the short route anticlockwise, or the long route clockwise from the border, any recomendations?

We plan to cross the border between Bissaula/Gembu, via Abong village (Nigeria). There is an official crossing point here apparently and this will lead us directly to Nkambe at the northern end of the ring road. However, I have no idea what the route is like for a four wheel drive and believe there are several river crossings to be negotiated. The route from Bissaula to Dumbo (Cameroon) that is mentioned as a possible route in the Rough Guide (by foot) is apparently only a hiking trail.

A couple of overlanders are currently crossing from Ikom (NG) to Mamfe (CM) (should be doing it today) and if you drop me an email I can forward their emails so that you can find out the current conditions on that route.

Good luck
Julian (bloomejl_at_tcd.ie)
julianbloomer.blogspot.com


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