Safest way into Mali?
 

What is the safest overland crossing into Mali? I was planning to enter from Mauritania (Nema), but I have heard carjackings are not uncommon near the Mauritanian border. My car is a 2WD Peugeot van (and a right hand drive for that), so I don't think that it would be too tempting a prize, but I am not sure. Is it better to go down to Senegal and then East?
gustau_catalan@hotmail.com

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Gustau

I would say any crossing on Mori's south border is fine (eg Timbedra - Nara) but not Mori's east border to Timbuktu.- this is vaguely where the robberies occur and anyway, you'll get stuck in the sand. Anyway, it is Land Cruisers they are after, not old vans
Senegal to Kayes is OK too. From Kayes a new road to bamako via Kita (or is it Kati?) so no need to go via Nioro.

Chris S

I agree with Chris on that, but if you are after ease and safety, definitely go down to Dakar vai St. Louis from Mauri and then take the tarred road (all the way, European standard) from Dakar to Kidira (Seneglaese border), easy, friendly, no hassles there, cross into Mali, then about 3 hours drive on a corrugated and potholes piste (in teh process of being tarred) and you are in Kayes. From there you go down in teh direction of Kenieba and turn off towards Mahina, from theer a perfect road to teh Manantali dam, from there a reasonable road to Kita and then an easy road to Bamako, can all be done in a Peugeot, except between June and October.

Have Fun,

Heye