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 28 Feb 2010
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Posts: 16
Road to Mole National Park (Ghana)

Hello,

Just a quick word about my recent experience on the ugly roads that lead to Mole National Park in Ghana (from the main highway). The +-90km that links Fufulsu and Damongo on the way to Mole National Park was a very painful experience for me. It was heavy washboard and rocks all the way with sandy pits on both sides. It was hot and tiring. Perhaps a more experienced rider would have just flown above the washboard at a crazy speed, but I couldn't do it, so it took me about 3 hours.

Instead, I would recommend the road from the South, through Buipe. The map indicated a smaller road (as opposed to the one through Fufulsu, which I thought might even be paved), which it was, but which was also much more fun. It was rough and bumpy, but mostly a "lots of fun" kinda rough and almost no washboard (few cars and buses go there, as opposed to the "main" road through Fufulsu). But that one also took me about 3 hours... Mind you, I am traveling on a Yamaha YBR125...

The Damongo - Laparanga stretch is also bad, but there's no way around it.

Voil
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 28 Feb 2010
roamingyak's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Portugal
Posts: 1,134
Yip, there hasn't been much rain for months now and the temperatures are rising towards 40 each day, so the roads are getting very washboardy (just spent two months in Ghana).

Considering the importance of Mole to Ghana's tourism industry you would think they would manage to seal the road, but then it is easy to think a lot of things of others countries. I came down from Wa (great border crossing at Hamale) and left via the eastern route - both terrible in a Land Rover.

Slowly slowly and drink loads to help keep the concentration up....
__________________
Kiwi, 7 years around Africa. Overlanding channel:https://www.youtube.com/c/roamingyak
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 2 Mar 2010
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Posts: 16
I'm in Kara (Togo) right now and soon heading for Pendjari park in Benin. I'm hoping the roads leading there will be a little sweeter than the ones for Mole...

BTW, the heat here is really something : last week, in Lomé, a weather board read "10h29 AM, 39°C" (102 Fahrenheit)... and Kara is even farther up north. Aiks!
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 3 Mar 2010
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Wellington
Posts: 9
hi guys

we are planning to spend 3-4 weeks in ghana later this year.
just a question about the weather
does it get cold at night as in the desert or does it remain warm all night
just trying to sort out what gear to bring ie; sleeping bags/tent
any other bits of helpful info would be great
thanks for any help you can give

peter

Lifes journey is not to arrive in a well preserved body
but rather to slide in sideways totally worn out shouting "holy shit"
what a ride
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 8 Mar 2010
roamingyak's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Portugal
Posts: 1,134
Pendjari is very hot - 40 degrees when I left a few weeks ago. Sealed roads in Benin are pretty good. In the park the main route (from the south) in is washboarding for 50km, but the pistes aren't too bad after that. Nice enough place - ask really nicely at the hotel, explain that your on a long trip etc, and they might let you camp (they did for me anyway).

During the cold season Ghana is quite cold at night in the north (ie: Wa, Mole), but once you get south to Kumasi it is extremely humid and unpleasant for sleeping at night. Without a fan it is a slow torture at night at times.
__________________
Kiwi, 7 years around Africa. Overlanding channel:https://www.youtube.com/c/roamingyak
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 7 Apr 2010
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Somerset, Great Britain
Posts: 471
It's Washboard sure enough!

Rode from the tar road to Mole a few days ago on a 1200 GS.

It's not very nice, but there's no question that speed makes it better! Had a look at GPS tracklog afterwards - the 40 miles from the tar road west to Damongo (where I stopped both times) took me 1:15 on the way there, and I hated it, but on the way back I hammered it in 48 minutes and loved it, didn't stop once

Although badly corrugated, there aren't really any potholes except one sandy gully 1-2 metres wide crossing square across the piste, towards Damongo which I didn't see coming and hit with a bang on the way back...
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 7 Apr 2010
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Port Harcourt, RS, Nigeria
Posts: 89
Quote:
Originally Posted by Weeman View Post
hi guys

we are planning to spend 3-4 weeks in ghana later this year.
just a question about the weather
does it get cold at night as in the desert or does it remain warm all night
just trying to sort out what gear to bring ie; sleeping bags/tent
any other bits of helpful info would be great
thanks for any help you can give

peter
Is mostly hot and humid even during the night.
__________________
inyang

Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 8 Apr 2010
Ride Far's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Central New York
Posts: 344
Quote:
Originally Posted by IanC View Post
Although badly corrugated, there aren't really any potholes except one sandy gully 1-2 metres wide crossing square across the piste, towards Damongo which I didn't see coming and hit with a bang on the way back...
Ah yeah, I remember that thing ... came out of nowhere! Virtually no sand on the Mole road except that one large sand pond and it was pretty deep. By the time I realized what it was there was nothing to do but gun on thru ... pretty fun but it does it wake you up!
__________________
http://ridefar.typepad.com
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
Road from Lusaka to South Luangwa N. Park (Zambia) honey rider sub-Saharan Africa 9 19 Sep 2009 15:39
W National Park, Benin, Niger, Burkina manfredschweda sub-Saharan Africa 4 5 Mar 2009 09:04
Parking in Puerto Limon to visit Tortuguero National Park nina99 SOUTH AMERICA 0 19 Oct 2005 06:08
Canyonlands National Park rgorbell Route Planning 2 14 Sep 2005 14:07
Acadia National Park-JUly 4th Weekend? Biram Travellers Seeking Travellers 2 24 Apr 2004 21:57

 
 

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 22:34.