Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone in Rainy Season

[stevo52]

Does anybody have any experience? What was supposed to be a Winter trip has been delayed and delayed and now that the "ebola borders" have all opened except for Liberia to Ivory Coast, I'm considering this route as an alternative (going to Ghana) to the heat in Mali in May/June.

This region, however, is one of the wettest on earth during rainy season. If the Ivory Coast border opens, could this route be viable or will it be a complete washout?

[Dave The Hat]

Hi Steveo,

The roads are not as bad as some will tell you, but they are definitely challenging in the wet.

The tough bits are:

Coming south down through the Fouta Djalon in Guinea....all good until about 80kms south of Koundara, then dirt until Labe. This is mountainous and narrow and windy. They are working on it, but can be a challenge in the wet.

From Kenema (S Leone) to Bo Waterside (border with Liberia) - jungle terrain and tough going in the wet.

Cutting across Liberia, to Harper....a number of options, the main road from say Gbarnga to Zwerdu to Harper can be a test. Easier on a bike than in a truck.

Or you could go via Gbarnga to Ganta to Saniquellie and pop out at Danane in CI. Also tough in places but a shorter distance on bad road.

Once into CI you are back on good road again.

[stevo52]

Great info. Thanks. And encouraging too. By "testing" do you mean that it can definitely be done but with patience and some driving skill or that the test is to see if you can actually do it??? i.e. it may not be possible.

I've done some pretty horrific stuff on the tracks in Spain when they had ferocious floods, so if it can be done, I imagine I can do it.

[Dave The Hat]

Well, locals do it all year around....it can be a struggle, but on a bike you'll get through. You might be lucky and find it's not too wet and churned up.

Really the worst time for the rain, generally speaking, is in July/August. If the rains come early then it might be different.

[Wanted]

Hey I am in Bissau right now. I am getting super nervous about heading South into Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia... I'm looking on Google forecast and it says it is raining and lightning literally every single day. I am on an 1190 Adventure which is quite heavy. I have no idea what to expect but the prospect of flooded impassable roads is really getting to me. Anyone been through in rainy season who has advice?

[Dave The Hat]

Hi Wanted,

I'm an overland truck driver, and not a biker, so can't let you know from that perspective. In a truck it is pretty tough going in places!!

From a bikers perspective, check out Pat's FBK page here:

https://www.facebook.com/drcanafricanadventure/?fref=ts

He did it in July and it was WET. He got through ok. He is here in The Hubb though I can't remember what username he uses!

Dave The Hat

[CREER]

The coastal region in Ghana & CI have seen a LOT of rain this week, it's been horrendous ... further inland has been a lot drier (unfortunately!)

I would talk locally as you move forward & get several opinions about routes ...