Senegal-Guinea borders closed because of Ebola
 

Hi,

Senegal has closed some of its borders with Guinea because of the Ebola virus outbreak. As far as I can see not the one at Ziguinchor, used by most overlanders to cross into Guinea Bissau.
There are new outbreaks in Liberia and Sierra Leone, so it's wise to have updated information on border crossings with these countries.

Senegal closes border with Guinea over Ebola fears - Xinhua | English.news.cn

Travel safe,

Gee

Any info on crossing into Guinea or Sierra Leone would also be appreciated. We'll be down that way in a month or so.:eek3:

Reports are that the Senegal border with Guinea is closed which is confirmed in a number of media articles.

I know the Guinea Bissau border with Senegal is open (our group crossed it approx 4 days ago). I've heard nothing about the Mali border which I presume means it is open.

As far as I know from local contacts the Sierra Leone/Guinea border is open (at Pamelap)......near the Forest region of Guinea and Sierra Leone much less clear.

OK, this helps a little.

How about crossing into Guinea-Bissau and then into Guinea? In other words is the Guinea-Bissau/Guinea border open (and perhaps more importantly, would I be allowed to travel back after being in Guinea)?

Pamelap would be the crossing we'd use for Guinea/Sierra Leone. The other crossings are pretty remote.

Hi Cruiser Guy

Our group crossed from Guinea to Guinea Bissau about 2 weeks ago. I have not heard any information to suggest this border has closed since then.

We know the border between Guinea and Senegal is closed. There was one article that said the border between Guinea Bissau and Senegal is closed, EXCEPT for the main crossing between Sao Domingos and Ziguinchor. Again, this was one report, and I have heard nothing else.

Liberia's parliament was voting yesterday on closing it's borders. But then President Sirleaf Johnson said last night that is not happening.

Sierra Leone to Guinea at Pamelap is said to still be open.

It's a fast moving situation so any up to date information is appreciated!

It would appear the Senegal/Gambia border is currently closed.

Though no mention of ebola, seems to be a political decision.

Hopefuly a storm in a tea cup but worth keeping an eye on if crossing any time soon.

BBC Afrique - Gambie/Sénégal : frontière fermée

Thank you Dave- I had a good giggle when I read this part of the article:
"pour dénoncer, disaient-ils, les tracasseries des policiers gambiens."


Donc, rien a voir avec les tracasseries des policiers et douaniers senegaliens... doh

The border in the forest region is pretty remote. I crossed there a few years ago. It was 5-6 hours on a motorbike to the river/border and then another 5-6 hours from the river/border to Gueckedou. Not an easy crossing. Shorter than the route around but not as comfortable, and that's saying something!!

This article reporting on talks between Koroma, Sirelef-Johnson, and Conde saying the Senegal Guinea border has been reopened:

http://www.brecorder.com/world/afric...ola-fight.html

We also heard from a guy we know in Casamance, Senegal, that the Gambia Senegal border has also been repoened. This would tally with a British FCO update that came through a few days ago.

any updates?
 

Hi folks,

we are planning a trip down through Mauritania, Mali, Senegal, Guinea, to Sierra Leone, then back up to Dakar. Leaving Nov.1, and current plan is to enter Guinea from Kedougou, then continue south through Labe, Dalaba and cross into Sierra Leone at Medina-Dula. Any news on border status? Has anyone here taken this route before? Any news on what conditions are like there these days?

After a week in Freetown, we plan to take the coastal route back up to Dakar. Another related question - realistically, how many kms can we expect to cover in a day through this region? I know this is a very open question with many variables, but right now I am using Google maps as a planning tool and it is VERY unrealistic about driving times...

Thanks, Rick.

With regards the borders being open, this is anyones guess.

Ebola seemed to be disappearing towards the later half of May (according to the reported figures at least), but then made a come back and has been spreading again with parts of S Leone affected and now it's back in Liberia.

There have been reports that S Leone has closed it's borders with Guinea and Liberia as of a few days ago. Other reports have said only closed to 'trade'. Then I just read another report from S Leone press that said the borders are open.

So it's all a bit unclear.

With a November departure I think, and hope, it will be under control by then.

The medical authorities have been saying one of the biggest issues has been a lack of knowledge amongst the local population about the virus (before this outbreak there had never been any confirmed cases in West Africa, other than in Tai Nat Park, Iv Coast), hence it has spread. But with so many people now involved in the fight to contain it, the media and politicians more informed and engaged on the issue, and increasing awareness amongst the general public, let's hope it is contained and stops spreading sooner rather than later.