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Festival in the Desert, Timbuctu, Jan 2012. Festival in the Desert, Timbuctu, Jan 2012.
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Photo by George Guille, It's going to be a long 300km... Bolivian Amazon

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by George Guille
It's going to be a long 300km...
Bolivian Amazon



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  #1  
Old 8 Oct 2011
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Festival in the Desert, Timbuctu, Jan 2012.
Anyone going overland to the "Festival in the Desert" near Tombuctu on 12, 13, 14th of Janurary?
We wouldn't mind joining up with others through Mauritania to Tombuctu for security considerations.
We are a couple, not young, in a Russian, ex military, 4X4 truck with a lot of overland experience.
Persistence.
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  #2  
Old 8 Oct 2011
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Persistence View Post
in a Russian, ex military, 4X4 truck with a lot of overland experience.
Persistence.
not good for safety this IMHO
North Mali not safe, dodgy ailkaida want military like yours-
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  #3  
Old 10 Oct 2011
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Festival in the Desert, Timbuctu, Jan 2012.
Hmmmmm, I don't think they'll want this one, Slow, petrol powered.
I heard ( from people on the scene) that the vehicle of choice is toyota troop carriers or other toyotas. They cut the top off and mount a machine gun. Fast and manouverable.

Persistence.
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  #4  
Old 11 Oct 2011
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when do you think you'll be leaving to make the festival?
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  #5  
Old 11 Oct 2011
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Thumbs up timbuktu
hi guys i will be getting the ferry to spain on the 7th dec heading to moroc and a slow ride down west coast hopeing to be in timb for xmas return ferry 23 jan i will be on a bmw gs rideing solo would be great to meet up and travel together cheers Dai.
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  #6  
Old 12 Oct 2011
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Festival in the Desert, Timbuctu, Jan 2012.
Hi Fellas,
As you can see I've had some warnings from concerned members. Also on the Australian Government travellers advice they say don't go. On the Festival in the Desert site / forum, people have expressed their fear. The management of the festival have replied saying it is no more dangerous than anywhere else in the world.
I'm telling you this so you don't have illusions.
I don't think the Festival itself is a danger spot. However, there's a lot of kilometres between the Western Sahara border and Tombuctu that I can't have opinions on.
My logic is that there is more safety in numbers.
This is a Festival worth visiting but not worth suffering for.

We will be in Maroc (hopefully) the 2nd week of December and intend entering through Ceuta (Sebta).
We are flexible as regards time once we are in Maroc and our original plan was to go to Tombuctu and roam Maroc on our way back. (I've spent a fair bit of time there previously but my partner hasn't)

If it happens, which route will we take.= The least risky.

So, PM me for an email address if you want to discuss how we can fit together with your travel plans.
Persistence.
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  #7  
Old 13 Oct 2011
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I went last year at the festival (when the 2 french guys were killed in Niger).
We drove from Bamako to Timbuctu and NO PROBLEM at all, at not time we felt unsecured. Timbuctu is really safe. But IMHO going more north than Timbuctu could be dangerous.
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  #8  
Old 1 Dec 2011
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hey everyone...
I am starting my trip from benin next week and will attend the festival in mali. I am still looking for travel company from the festival back home to germany... so it would be great to meet up somewhere
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  #9  
Old 1 Dec 2011
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I think the best company to go with would be the SAS at the moment.
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'He who laughs last, was too slow to get the joke'
Never confuse the map with the journey.
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  #10  
Old 1 Dec 2011
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Hello,

good answer.I have been many times in Mali and Timbuktu.At the moment you could give money,but i would not go there.And i love Mali.Great people.

Mike
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  #11  
Old 1 Dec 2011
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Good luck...


One tourist executed, three kidnapped in Timbuktu - Story - World - 3 News
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  #13  
Old 11 Dec 2011
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you wont be alone
hi around this time there will be lots of motors from england going down around 70? see plymouth/banjul rally by them a pint and they might let you tag along go luck enjoy
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