Questions planning motorcycle trip to Senegal during Christmas (and back to Spain)
Hello guys,
I am planning a motorcycle trip from Spain to Senegal during Christmas for some 20-25 days (round trip coming back to Spain). So, Morocco, Sahara, Mauritania, Senegal, Gambia (maybe Guinea?)
I have been out of “business” for a long time and my information is probably outdated. I will do my research, but some initial help would help me greatly to focus on relevant issues. So I would be very thankful if you could give me hand about relevant information.
Questions:
1) Roads. To my understanding, there will be plenty of straight road in Sahara and Mauritania, So comfort and speed may be an issue. In my –limited- experience in previous trips and considering the short duration, there will probably much less unpaved roads than I may plan ahead. My V-Strom handles reasonably well easy gravel roads, as I do it here.
2) Vehicle. I heard that in Senegal there was Carnet, then removed, but then Laissez-Passer with limitation with age of vehicles. Confusing. What’s the situation now to get in those countries?
I could have 3 options of bike:
a) Suzuki V-Strom 650 with plates (2012) – Comfortable, readily available, but heavy as a pig.
b) Honda Dominator 250 (to be registered, since I had it in Switzerland before moving back to Spain) (1991, good condition). Very nimble and easy to fix anywhere if it breaks down.
c) Buying a new Tenere 700 after selling the V-Strom, since here in Spain I prefer so much off-roading (in Switzerland it was almost impossible). But I would avoid putting so many kms on the clock on a new bike.
3) VISAS: which ones can be obtained on the border or have to be issued before the trip?
4) COVID? I have 2 doses, for sure in Morocco I need 3 or PCRs (I was there with my daughter 1 month ago by car). What’s the situation in the rest of countries? I think I would need the –damn- 3rd dose to move easily.
5) Any concerns with diseases as Malaria at that time of the year? I won’t get pills since I am highly sensitive to side-effects, but would bring Malarone –or whatever it is advised- with me in case I catch it.
6) Any other concerns? Security? I would love so much to visit northern Mali, but it seems to remain a no-go area. Do you recommend trying to get to Guinea having such a short time to travel?
I am new to this area and mainly to Africa –apart from Northen countries and South Africa, which to me doesn’t count- so any advice is more than welcome.
See you on the road,
Esteban
Last edited by estebangc; 21 Sep 2022 at 18:59.
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