Anyone been to Guinea recently?

[drifingwaster]

Anyone know if you can get a bike in without a carnet?

Also, any info on road conditions at this time of year and visas very gratefully received.

Cheers,
Jamie

[Dave The Hat]

Hi Drifingwaster,

The CDP is not an official requirement for Guinea, but they will stamp it if you have one. They will readily issue a pass avant at any embassy in the region, though expect them to try and rip you off! I'm not sure what the official price should be but for a bike I don't think more than $10USD.

Dave the Hat

[drifingwaster]

Thanks Dave.

I'm still trying to decide between Mali and Guinea. I'll head down to Dakar in a couple of days and see how the visas go.

[markharf]

Been a few years since I was in either country, so I've no current information for you. I did want to chime in to suggest that unless you're seriously short of time you might not need to choose between the two. Dakar through The Gambia to Casamance, then out to Kedougou, entering Guinea near Mali-ville, through the Fouta Djallon to Mamou, then east and north to Bamako, continuing to all the usual places.

The above subject to all the usual caveats, including civil insurrection, terrorist activity, alien abduction, and visa hassles.

[Primusbeer]

Hi to you all,

Just an update on the road between Mali-centre (guinee side) and Kedougou (senegal).
I just did the road but it was not easy. The rain is pretty heavy (yes rainy season) and the trenches from the rain are pretty deep some times.
After some discussion with the local police and motorbike taxis in Mali-centre i decided to take a small road together with a mototaxi as my guide.
The road goes very steep down over rocky sections with a lot of loose stones in between. Quite a challenge..The road was not always easy to find (many different trails) and I was happy to be together with a local. After the descent from over 1400 meters back to 450 meters the road is more flat but still rocky and a couple of river crossings. Managed to push the bike through with the guide. Quite tricky with the current and the not even rocky soil.

Then after crossing into no-mans-land heading for Segou was fine up till the last couple of km.Very very steep descent with again loose rocks and gravel.
The border crossing was easy on both sides. customs/police in Guinee at N12 19.331, W12 17.231. And in senegal the gendarmerie at N12 24.630, W12 16.985. Guinee side asked for money to stamp the CDP, didn't pay. Gendarmerie at senegal side asked for money for the "visa"/entry stamp didn't pay either.

It has been one of the most amazing days driving so far! just stunning scenery and a difficult but not impossible drive. Adn the incredible hospitality of the Guineans. I slept in the police station in Mali-centre since i arrived too late (not in a locked cell). Just make sure you get info about the road condition from the locals before setting of into this part.
Please PM me if you need the GPS track for this part.

[markharf]

Glad to hear this route is still workable, even during the rains. I went dry season, and parts were difficult, though ridiculously scenic. If you post photos anywhere I'd like to see them.

Mark