england-banjul-bamako road conditions
 

Hi Folks,
You will gather from my user name that I prefer 4 wheels to 2 , but still have similar travel problems as bikers.

We want to travel from England to Banjul and then to Bamako.

I know how to get as far as Nouakchott but does:helpsmilie: anybody know the condition of the road from Nouakchott to Banjul and the condition of the alternative route on the Trans-Gambian Highway from Dakar to Farafenni,Soma,Banjul.

Finally,how do I get from Banjul to Bamako without breaking the van in half (go back to Dakar and turn east?)

Thanks for your help,

Mike:helpsmilie:

the road from NKT to at least Dakar is fine. The section just after the Rosso border crossing is pothole heaven for 30kms, then its fine. Dakar itself is all roadworks currently, otherwise fine. I didnthave time to get to Banjul but I was told by travellers that had been there that the conditions were good (apart from the rain in some areas).

bob

banjul-bamako roads
 

hi , i was on these roads in December/Jan and again in may.(dry season)so can
only comment about that time of year,i went to gambia in an old merc' in may ,the roads are fine till you cross in to gambia, then its pot hole hell to ferry,about ten kilks. i went off road to the barrage,not through rosso!
(hastle city) good track when dry,and a lot nicer at boarder.
the bamako route i was on Dec/Jan,again the worst road was up river in gambia,(the chassis broke near soma) this was on a old shogun,the new road is being extended as we speak,the best way is to cross to north bank ,new road all the way to grorgetown then cross back,i came from bamako the back way,and in to gambia by bassa santa , the roads in senagal are fine, in mali the chinese are building new roads as fast as i can type with one finger, came through mali on good roads, except for one stretch between bamako and boarder at kidira, but can be avoided,good luck.
regards chris

Campervan traveller
 

Hi Chris
Thanks for info. What was the road like from Bamako to Basse Santa?
On the road from Bamako to Kidira, is the bad section from Diema to Didjeni?
How do you avoid it?
Thanks, hoping to set off 1st November but problem with camper van at the moment.
Mike