Hi folks

Is it safe to travel through Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia and Ivory Coast?

I'm heading to Senegal from Mauritania tomorrow and would like to continue to follow the coast rather than head inland into Mali. Is this feasible?

Thanks
Steve
OverAfrica - overland, over Africa

I dont have experience from that area, as I´ve only been to some southern countries of Africa... but to me, sounds like a list of countries, that needs maybe just a few more, like DRC and Somalia, and you´d have a nice collection of the most troubled hotspots on the whole continent!

But like I said, dont have any 1st-hand info, so hopefully someone who has, can provide you with better information. And its also possible, that certain areas of countries can be highly unsafe, while others are relatively safe, and the situation can change quickly. So try to get as recent & accurate info on those as possible.

Check out 'manfredschewda' on here (think the spelling might be wrong)

Guinea - keep an eye on the news ... things aren't too stable at the moment, the Guineans are wonderful people though, keep out of the big towns if it starts up again! Depending which border you want to enter by you might have a bit of a haggle over getting the vehicle in. Terrible roads/pistes!

Sierra Leone - stable, should have lots of fun there! Expensive visas US$100

Liberia - dreadful coastal piste down to Cote d'Ivoire that a friend did in a taxi, it's also stable, if you do head that way PM me as I have contacts in Monrovia

Cote d'Ivoire - stable, friend drove from Abidjan to Mali the other day, not a problem, however, the area around Man/Danane could be tricky, if you can, enter via the coastal route - see you there maybe? I will be there in 4weeks & leave late January ...

Bonne route!

Kira

Thanks TTKira

What about Cassamance - is that safe at the moment?

I have a carnet - will that not help in getting a vehicle into Guinea? Which border would you recommend?

What about Guinea-Bissau - is that worth going to?

Thanks
Steve

Casamance is fine at the moment - although I'd always keep your ear to the ground as it changes regularly. Going into Guinea Bissau would be fun, the border from Zig to Sao Domingos via M'Pack is a bit crazy; for your own safety I would drive with another vehicle from the G.Bissau post just south of M'Pack through to Sao Domingos - this is 'bandit' country & I heard stories of a German priest being ambushed in an NGO vehicle; the taxi drivers go at high speed for a few kms here! If you head to G.Bissau, go out to Varela but stick to the piste (it's mined still) - great spot.

Carnet - might do, the Guinean military will do anything to get more money - the only 'uncorrupt' ones I came across were between Fongolembi (Senegal) & Labe (the post near Balaki) but the piste is terrible but incredibly scenic there; took 40hrs to get from Labe to Kedougou in a 4WD (about 75km I think). The road from Gabu (Guinea Bissau) to Koundara is good but then from Koundara it's atrocious again but apparently better than the Balaki route from Senegal. Once you've got to Labe the roads are good (in a Guinean sense) & you have tarred road to (I think) the SL border near Forecariah. Beware if you head this way there are several police posts, the worst being at KM36 on the edge of Conakry!

Have fun!

Kira

Hi guys,

Thanks for this post.

I am planning a trip from the Cassamance region onto Guinea Biaasu, then into Guinea and onto Sierra Leone. It will be in my own vehicle (a truck).

Could anybody give me advice on the following:

1. I have about 5 days in the Cassamance region, entering from Gambia. If you had 5 days, what would be a good itinerary? The must see places if you like? I will need to get my G Bissau visa in Zig so will need a nightstop there.

Is Cap Skiring worth visiting?

2. I plan to cross from G Biassau to Guinea at the Kandika border crossing, carrying onto Koundara then onto Labe. Some people say the Chinese have started grading this road ready to lay the tarmac? How far have they done? Will this road be a nightmare to do in a truck (approx 9 meters long, 9 tonnes in weight). I'm told there is a ferry across the river on tsi route, and saw a pciture of it, and it looks okay to take the truck.

3. With 3 nights to play with, again, what are the must see places in the Fouta Djalon? I'm on a bit of a schedule so can't really spare much more time. Is Pita a good place to base myself and explore from there>

Would sure appreciate any help with these question, thanks everybody.

Although this post is old it might be good for future reference.
I've just been around Sierra Leone and Liberia in the past few months and they were very safe provided you note a few things:

-The number one problem you'll have is with the roads in the wet season, being dirt they are effectively gone for much of the time. This time of year would be a nightmare in terms of mud - I saw photos of bikes submerged up to the tank in muddy puddles in the middle of the road. Fortunately there will always be people willing to help get it out or give you a lift somewhere. Parts for anything special are going be nonexistant outside of Freetown / Monrovia and even buying simple tools (allen keys) can take a day of looking.

-My taxi load of people (1 Australian, 5 Liberians and around 10 Leones) got attacked because the driver gently bumped a teenager in Mile 91, Salone. We got surrounded by a bunch of bad boys, had the windows smashed and one tried to drag me out of the car before we sped off. In areas where there is little law and order (basically most of the region) 'justice' can be swift and arbitrary so traffic accidents can be incredibly dangerous. It's rare for tourists but I've heard many stories about locals being beaten to death after causing someone an injury.

-As I'm sure you know, Monrovia is not considered safe after dark unless you are in a car and on the move. I spent a lot of time out at bars and clubs (driving) and there is still some risk unless you can park directly (and I mean within metres) of a guard. Anything that could be stolen is a risk and parking in a dark area (plentiful when there are no streetlights) may be inviting someone to sit by the bike/car and try to rob you when you come out. Many places have secure carparks for this reason.

That said, I did get stuck taking motorcycle taxis some nights and while no bad came of it, I did have lots of locals coming up and saying I should leave and that the area was not safe. Outside of Monrovia is much better, except for the areas filled with Ivorian refugees around the border.

Salone is pretty safe throughout - I'd still be wary of where I leave the bike but violent crime is very rare.

Hi guys,

I am planning a similar trip in 6 months. Can anyone update me with current information ? I plan to go from Morocco to South Africa the west road, so need to know how is it with security in Mauritania, Mali, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Nigeria, Gabon and DRC.

Thanks for any useful info

Petr