diamma update
 

went through diamma 3 weeks ago . PAID NOTHING AT ALL POINTS,POLICE CUSTOMS ETC, we had two bikes and when they askd for money 10 euros seems to be the set fee we replied we were told that there were no charges or we have a carnet and just sat down , they dont seem to like foreigners waiting around in thier office !!!!!had to pay the national park tax as there was no getting away from it and he had a policeman there too but he didnt seem concerned..........took us about 45 mins through diamma and it was easy .......went though all of it with no bother compared to rosso (jesus what a place,never again) we had an out of date carnet (over two years) and they didnt check any dates just signed it up and we were away.We even had (ahhemm "duplicate carnet " made up using the powers of photoshop office but they wanted the "old one".Been in Gambia two years and going back through the borders was much easier not too sure why maybe we have become more streetwise and all "africanlike"????one dutch guy we met summed it up "europeans have watches ,africans have time", hope this helps anyone .
Sean

National Park Tax
 

This is a scam too as the piste to Diamma does not as far as I remember run through the National Park. Can someone with a better memory than me confirm...or not?

Best

Q

There are signs that appear to indicate that it does pass through the park. I'll watch when we're through that area again in a month or so.

I stand to be corrected, but I do believe the road to Diama passes through one of the following:

Diawling National Park
Parc National De Oiseaux du Djoudj

I think the latter of the two but I'm not 100% sure of that.

I have always had to pay the entrance fee on this road. They issue a ticket and there is a rusting sign. Always seemed legitimate to me.

Good to know all of this.


If everything at work goes in the right direction, I'll ride Italy - Gambia - Italy in December 2014 (24 total days to make the journey).


Since I mean to enter / exit Senegal at Djamma, I'd like to ask you all if the piste is suitable to a Super Ténéré 1200 with no 100% offroad tyres (my offroad skills are very basic, and my 1200 has Metzeler Tourance tyres, so 70% Street, 30% offroad ones).


Moreover, is it true that that piste is under progressive paving?

Yes it is!! Like all things in Africa, it doesn't happen fast but it is underway. I wouldn't call it "off-road" as much as I would describe it as a "corduroy" road surface. Any car and bike can do it, you just need to take your time or you'll shake every bolt loose!

Brilliant, thanks very much for your reply, Cruiser Guy!

yes it does go through a National park, we camped the night next to the park rangers huts, there are park sights everywere and the rangers took us out ( free of charge) to go and see the local wild life...but you still got to pay the park entry fee...we did do some negotiating and managed to get 1 person for free ( we were in a group)