Is carnet needed Ghana-Togo-Benin (& Back)?
 

Hi
I reckon that I have a great job - at least when I am not sweating in a stuffy office in front of a screen I occasionally get the chance for some interesting travel - like this next trip...and my company is paying!:scooter:

Now I have been to Ghana a couple of times and managed to hire bikes when there - the last time I even managed to get a few days to myself to ride from Accra to Lome (at least to the Togolese border).

So I now have the chance to connect two meetings one in Accra to another in Benin the following week.
I can almost certainly hire a bike (quality last time was great and cheap) - and dont expect trouble with Visas (least from what I read) BUT

If i am using a hired Ghanian registered bike (old DR650 or newish Honda 250 or some such non flashy thing) then am I likely to get thru the borders without a carnet?

I aim on going Accra - Lome - Benin and returning the same route within 4 days approx so I will have a few crossings....

Advice welcome (first posting!!)

you don't need a carnet for any of those countries, however that is for a motorcycle you own. not sure about a hired bike. you would definately need a lettter from the rental company saying you are allowed to take it across borders. then it shouldn't be a problem as long as you have plenty of offical looking paper work allowing you usage of the bike in those countries.

you won't need a carnet but you will need the ecowas brown card which the bike insurance company can issue for you (at a fee).

Brown insurance Ecowas.....eh ok

Not sure there was much insurance going around when I hired the last time - think it was considered more "self insurance" really....but thanks for the tip.

I should try and assemble some documentation and print it off (make it up first).

many thanks

Brian

insurance is more a piece of paper really. i doubt it would help you much if you were really in an accident to be honest but at least you'd avoid hassle with officials

The Ecowas insurance is the real thing--actual insurance which covers 3d party liability. I've ridden in Ghana and Togo both with and without, and I feel somewhat better with. The bike's owner can purchase it for a nominal cost. No one has asked me for it at the border in either direction--in fact, no one seemed to care about bikes at all, but I've only crossed at small borders on back roads.

I'd be interested in hearing any information at all about rentals in Accra (or elsewhere in Ghana). I've had a variety of ups and downs, but don't currently know anyone renting large-displacement bikes there--by which I mean 250-650 cc. I go every year and usually rent whatever I can turn up.

Thanks for any information. You can reach me directly at markharf "at" yahoo "dot" com.

Mark

You'll have to buy the Laissez passer (don't know if i wrote it correct) for 5,000CFA (official price) at the borders (one for Togo, one for Benin), mostly they charge 6 to 10 claiming additional fees or something. :innocent:
Last time i used only one from Benin, arguing that it is valid for both countries, they let me pass but afterwards i think i might have been wrong. Anyhow, it's not big money