Mid year West Africa

[7800]

Hi everyone what are your thoughts on traveling West Africa starting in Morocco in August weather wise? Alternatively would a couple of months either side make a big difference

[simon dippenhall]

I travelled down to Senegal starting late September last year and it was extraordinarily hot across Mauretania...mid 40s C...so my 2p would be to start later. My travel companion (until he fell ill in the desert) narrowly missed heat stroke on the ride back to Nouakchott.

More here:

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthr...in-West-Africa




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[Jim Lad]

As Simon says, starting in early October we hit high temperatures. I remember a period of around 5 hours, riding through the Sahara in Mauritania, where we had temperatures in excess of 40C. This was manageable as we were riding on tarmac, drinking regularly and able to avail of the famous mid Mauritania service station. What I found more difficult was a ride into Nouachchot, arriving midday and spending a couple of hours in dense traffic. The temperature rose to mid 40's and I nearly passed out, having to abandon the bike and seek shade to recover. While I was in a city and relatively safe, it made me realise the difficulties and dangers of having to deal with, for example a puncture, in heat like this in the desert.
A couple of years before, I covered the same route in late October and saw a maximum temperature of mid 30's which were better.

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[7800]

Hi Simon

I cannot thank you enough for the best ride report that I have read. I have take tips From every aspect of your trip. If I wasn’t already going I would be now !!!
Thanks again cant wait for the next update

[simon dippenhall]

Hi 7800.

Thanks for your kind words. Hopefully you picked up the second ride report, for the stage down to the Congo?


http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthr...g-in-the-Congo


And do PM Jim or me if we can help

Simon


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[roro]

Hi,

May be it can be interesting for you (I've done this trip):

https://sahara-overland.com/2014/01/...a-autumn-2013/

RR.

[7800]

Great reports guys, roro the gps coordinates will help loads thanks. Simon Yours was like a book that I couldn’t put down I can’t wait for the next instalment. Have you got a plan for South Africa, when you will get there and where you will be going

Paul

[7800]

It seems like I'm going to hit a wet season somewhere along the road either in west or southern Africa. I've got from May to September to get start in Morocco and a couple of months to travel down to South Africa. I will be going straight through Namibia as I can go there another time from Cape Town. Morocco to Senegal is going to be hot as well but I don't seem to be able to get around it and juggle the rain.

[roamingyak]

Originally Posted by 7800

It seems like I'm going to hit a wet season somewhere along the road either in west or southern Africa. I've got from May to September to get start in Morocco and a couple of months to travel down to South Africa. I will be going straight through Namibia as I can go there another time from Cape Town. Morocco to Senegal is going to be hot as well but I don't seem to be able to get around it and juggle the rain.

Rainy seasons aren't very reliable any more worldwide, but pretending they are, the golden rule when I did the west coast was to get through Nigeria and Cameroon by January to avoid the rains there (and especially the Ekok-Mamfe road, though thats now sealed). Even with sealed roads rainy season is much less fun after the novelty wears off after a few days.

With only two months I wouldn't bother to be honest, but if I had to pick them I'd go for Oct to Dec, Maroc to SA. Good luck.

[CREER]

Originally Posted by roamingyak

Rainy seasons aren't very reliable any more worldwide, but pretending they are, the golden rule when I did the west coast was to get through Nigeria and Cameroon by January to avoid the rains there (and especially the Ekok-Mamfe road, though thats now sealed). Even with sealed roads rainy season is much less fun after the novelty wears off after a few days.

With only two months I wouldn't bother to be honest, but if I had to pick them I'd go for Oct to Dec, Maroc to SA. Good luck.

Totally agree, the rainy season is completely off kilter at the moment ... it's still raining hard in CI/Ghana right now, when it should be dry!

Ekok-Mamfe road is off limits these days, it now means doing a dog leg through Nigeria into Cameroon to avoid the English speaking region.

If I were you, leave it a little later so you get to Mauri around late October/early November or just slow your pace down en route!

[7800]

Hi Guys

Thanks for the advice I really appreciate it. I know what you mean about being wet roamingyak I've never particularly enjoyed it even in warm rain. It's going to happen somewhere along the way though, all part of life's rich tapestry or so they tell me

I hear you about the english speaking parts of Cameroon CREER. I might need to practice an American accent

My work commitments have just set my leaving date as mid September which seems like it will work well. Also I've managed to get extra month for the trip so I can slow the pace down a bit as well.