Festival in the Desert 2008 questions etc
 

Hello all, lo-o-o-ng time since Ive been on this forum... but hey the old login still working!

Thinking of going to Mali Festival in January 10 - 12 2008 from Marrakech Morocco - have 4x4 Land Cruiser looking for three others who might want to join up and share gasoil, driving etc.

Wondering if anyone can give an idea of how many days we will need to reasonably drive down from Marrakech, taking a day off here and there to explore along the Atlantic coast and take rest days, etc. to Tombuctu.

Trying to establish a date of departure and make a plan.
Thanks for any interest, thoughts and advice in advance.
regards,
Robbin.

sent pm
 

Hi i sent a pm to you

Hi, I'm a first timer and have been looking at the feasibility of travelling to the same festival. Any chance of sharing information on the forum? Many thanks.

Thanks Surfer and Teflon
 

i'll get back with a bit more information soon. Off to Sahara for 4 days so will discuss logistics and do a bit more research when I get back... lots of planning for this one!

We have room in one car for 3 others. LCruisers hold 6 but 5 is more comfy for long hauls like this one. Can arrange for a second car if we get more interested... Still need to calculate how many days will be needed before clueing in to cost sharing etc.etc.

Talk to you soon. Any one else out there interested???

My post has unintentionally missed it's point. It's my fault entirely as it's not for the first time. I seems to have some kind of 'dyslexia of the paragraph' when taking part in forums. Always clear to me, but means ten different things to other people. My apologies.

I'm actually looking to travelling there in my own vehicle (a front wheel drive) and wanted to know best routes, expected conditions, etc, to determine if this was at all possible.

Again, my apologies for any confusion.

Hi Teflon, you can get very close in a 2wd, but probably not the whole way.

A suggestion would be to leave your motor at a hotel in Bamako, (or possibly Mopti) and take a local flight or transport to Timbuctu. From there you should find it easy to hitch a lift with a local or tourist to the festival.

Not a bad idea. I posted a new thread about my 'quest' just before I read your post. It'll be interesting to see what comes up, though your suggestion may well be the way to go. Cheers.

A bike?
 

Any advice for a solo atlantic route motorcycle traveller heading that way!
This fest falls on my birthday and I dont want to miss it!
Orrin

Bike to Timbuktu
 

Hi Orrin
I went down this year on F650 Dakar. All fine, via Mopti to Niger River and then ferry across to Timbuktu. Left bike there, then joined a 4x4 to festival a few hours away (deep sand). It was brilliant - account on my website www.LAPofAFRICA.com. Put bike on a pinasse (smallish river boat) for three day river trip back to Mopti, really enjoyable. Recommend it.
Good luck.
Hugh

bamako to timboctu
 

Hugh, I read your account and travels from Morocco to the Mali Festival. Very excellent read by enthusiastic traveller and great photos btw!

One question, can you give me an idea of how many days we might need to drive 4x4 from Bamako to Timboctu?

And visiting Dogon country. Was 4 days there enough?

Essakane, Festival au desert
 

Well I posted that before in similar threads, Lots of pictures and our account from the festival. Enjoy Manfred
This Fab Trek - my big world journey: Festival au desert, Mali, Essakane, Tombouctou/Timbuktu, Baba Salah, Tiris.
and following pages