where to go in West Africa for 5 weeks

[seeb]

Hi,
I'm planning a 5 week West Africa trip in December starting from Geneva. The plan is to dash straight down to Guerguerat and start the real trip from there.

I'm torn between visiting Mauritania or Senegal or Mali. I've already visited Morocco and Western Sahara a few times with a motorcycle and 4x4. I want to see and absorb as much as possible in terms of landscape, wildlife, people and culture.

My initial thoughts were to explore Mauritania (Choum-Nouadhibou, Terjit, Chinguetti, Ouadane, coastline) and Senegal (not sure where yet) or Mauritania and Mali (Timbuktu).

I'm looking for recommendations from experienced travelers on which countries they would visit? Maybe there's somewhere else I can go for 5 weeks?

Thanks

[CREER]

Stick near Bamako, Timbuktu is seriously off limits these days, I have a friend working up that way with the UN who has a hard time of it and grateful when he's able to get out. You might not be so lucky! You might find it hard work to cross in from Mauritania too ... they might not let you out that way!

Senegal is interesting, some lovely routes, interesting culture but if you've not already seen Mauritania then you'll be blown away! Fantastic scenery (some of it desert obviously but still stunning) the area around Atar/Chinguetti is wonderful. An incredible country with a diverse culture and lovely people ...

[seeb]

Thanks for the advice Creer. I guess I'll stick to Mauritania and Senegal. I'll start researching Senegal more thoroughly. I might be able to extended my holidays for another week. Given this new information, is it worth visiting Gambia?

[CREER]

Originally Posted by seeb

I'll start researching Senegal more thoroughly. I might be able to extended my holidays for another week. Given this new information, is it worth visiting Gambia?

Personally NO, can't stand the place BUT you should try to get down to Casamance, Senegal the other side of Gambia which is stunning and totally different from the northern part of Senegal in terms of lifestyle, a lot more laid back! Try to drop in on The Little Baobab you won't want to leave!!!

[rrooggiieerr]

The route south of the iron ore train track to Atar is amazing, beautiful wildcamping in the Sahara. Take plenty of fuel, it's about 500KM driving trough the desert, which consumes a lot

[Tim Cullis]

Originally Posted by CREER

Try to drop in on The Little Baobab you won't want to leave!!!

From a post elsewhere... Although Irene and I visited Senegal on motorbike we didn't get as far as the Casamance region which is a pity as we never got to meet Simon and his family. Simon died in June 2017 in a car accident. He was editing the Bradt Guide to the Gambia, was the author of 'Squirting Milk at Chameleons' and 'Chasing Hornbills' and the owner of the Little Baobab guesthouse, Important Update - The Little Baobab

As you will read on the link above, Simon's wife is carrying on with the guest house and the family could do with all the support our community can offer, so I'd echo Creer's suggestion.

[CREER]

Thanks Tim, I was worried about advertising so didn't post any links. To have a Super Moderator endorse it is wonderful thank you!

I get snippets of what's happening there, Khady is doing a great job managing it, the boys are unaware of what's really happened.

Simon was an incredible person, his memory and what he was trying to build in Casamance for his family shouldn't be forgotten!!! Still can't believe he's gone!!

[CREER]

Just to note for anyone wanting to stay at The Little Baobab in Abene, there's a new reservations e-mail address being handled by Simon's family, hope it's ok to post here:

thelittlebaobabreservations AT gmail.com

To ensure your will be chilled on arrival!!!