Is this West Africa route possible right now? [pic]
 

Hey,

I'm heading into Africa from Spain in about 5 days (it doesn't end in Ghana, but have to fly back to Europe very briefly). From Senegal to Ghana I could just cut through Mali, but the point of this trip is to see as much as I can and not rush too much. The main question I have, is if this route is possible right now, as I've heard that Liberia/Guinea borders are closed with Ivory Coast. The reason for going up into Mali is not only that the borders to Ivory Coast are closed, but I can get a visa for Nigeria in Bamako too (apparently).

http://i67.tinypic.com/24d1zc5.jpg
(If the link goes dead, the route is following the coast From Morocco, all the way to Liberia before going north to Mali, and back down through Ivory Coast to Ghana)

Those are the only borders I know that are closed on this route, my visa plan is:
(British, Aus, NZ passport)

PLEASE NOTE:I have updated this list 2 posts down
Morocco: No visa
Mauritania: Get in Rabat, Morocco - or get at border
Senegal: (I've heard no visa required for 90 days)
The Gambia: (I've heard no visa required for 90 days)
Guinea Bissau: Get in Ziguinchor, Senegal
Guinea: Get in Dakar, Senegal or in The Gambia (no idea)
Sierra Leone: Get in Conakry, Guinea
Liberia: Get in Conakry, Guinea
Guinea again: Hopefully could get multiple entry first time
Mali: Get in Dakar, Senegal
Ivory Coast: Get in Dakar, Senegal
Ghana: Get in Rabat, Morocco

Another way to look at it would be which visas to get in each country;
Morocco: Get visa for Mauritania, Ghana
Senegal: Get visa for Guinea, Mali, Ivory Coast, Guinea Bissau
Guinea: Get visa for Sierra Leone & Liberia
Mali: Get visa for Nigeria

I am doing this without a Carnet de Passage, if anyone has any information or recommendations on better places to obtain a visa for this route, please tell me, also if anyone has any new information about which borders are open or closed.

I need to fly back from Ghana to Spain after 2.5 months for 1 month in Europe, before heading back to Africa. I have a British, Australian and New Zealand passport, so hopefully that makes it easier to leave Ghana while leaving my bike there. They're kidding themselves if they think I'd ditch my KTM 1190 there anyway. I was planning to get 2 Ghana visas (one in British passport, one in Australian passport) with different entry dates, unless I can get a visa longer than 1 month that will allow multiple entry.

If I don't get any replies then wish me luck lol

I'll be on this route in 6 months.I learned quite a bit from your plan. Good luck!

Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

Well been researching online all night more info for each visa, this is what I've discovered so far; (I don't know exactly how accurate this information is right at this second, but I've tried to take only from blogs in the last year)

Morocco: At border, free
Mauritania: Get in Rabat, Morocco - or get at border 120 euro // same day
Senegal: At border, free
The Gambia: At border, free
Guinea Bissau: Get in Ziguinchor, Senegal 30 euro // 15 min
Guinea: Get in Guinea Bissau, multiple entry 1 month 46 euro
Sierra Leone: Get in Conakry, Guinea 100usd or Dakar 80 euro (2 month) // same day
Liberia: Get in Conakry, Guinea (price?) /// Dakar 135 euro same day 3 months or 88 euro in Sierra Leone
Mali: Get in Nouakchott, Mauritania 17 euro // 4 hours - Get in Dakar, Senegal 38 euro
Burkina Faso: Get in Bamako, Mali 37 euro (if decide to go)
Ivory Coast: Get in Dakar, Senegal 45 euro // 2 days
Ghana: Get in Rabat, Morocco 50 euro // 1 day
Togo: Get in Accra, Ghana - or at border 16 euro (valid 7 days) // instant
Benin: Get in Dakar, Senegal 55 euro (1 month visa) or Accra, Ghana - 76 euro (N5 37.005 W0 11.195 for 11 euro 14 days???
Nigeria: Get in Bamako, Mali 50 euro (if ivory coast border opens get in Bissau and ignore Mali?)
Cameroon: Get in Calabar, Nigeria 68 euro // same day
Gabon: Get in Lomé, Togo 75 euro // next day
Congo Brazzaville: Get in Lomé, Togo 90 euro // instant
DRC: Cotonou, Benin 22 euro (8 day transit) // instant
Angola: Accra, Ghana 140 euro // 2 days or Pointe Noire or Matadi
Namibia
SA

Need to figure out how to get a Nigerian visa for my girlfriend between Ghana and Nigeria, as she is flying down to meet me and come with

Hi - I'm currently in Dakhla (dropping off a couple of friends who joined for Morocco) on my way the route you're going. I'm a bit behind on blog updates having bashed around the desert for a few days, but am taking a few days here to pause before hitting Mauritania and will be updating. I guess I'll find out about this route (I was hoping to avoid Mali too) before you unless you catch up!

Regarding the Cote d'Ivoire/Togo/Benin/Burkina Faso {and Niger} visas...you can get a combined 'visa Entente' from the Benin consulate in Barcelona for 100 euros which takes as long as it takes you to fill in form and hand over cash. Notes on this bit under my Barcelona blog post [https://www.veganwithoutfrontiers.co...03/barcelona/]

Ghana in Rabat was a no-go for me - first they said only for Morocco residents, then they could try but it would take 10 days. Maybe my wheel-greasing skills are not up to scratch, but I failed in that attempt...I am following a suggestion to try in Dakar.

What are your timescales? I'm due in Luanda by 22nd July for another friend's visit...message me (here or via my blog?) if you're going to nearby? :) Good luck!

Hey, thanks for the message! I'm just waiting for my new panniers to get through Spanish customs (absolute joke), and my friend to send my carte gris (registration papers) from France before I can leave, kind of stuck for the next week. I have to be in Ghana by June 29th to fly back for one month, Then will be making my way down to South Africa with my girlfriend from around the 29th of July until end of September. I'll take a look at that visa, it could be really helpful and a bit cheaper... maybe there is one in Madrid

Please keep me informed ! Cheers

Just on the visa-entente, can it be done online? or do they physically need your passport?

Hi - I believe there's and internet/post option for the Visa Entente...here's the page:

Consulado de Benin en Barcelona

Good luck!

Get Guinea Conakry visa in Bissau will allow you a multiple entry if you talk sweetly

CI border with Guinea & Liberia looking to be closed for sometime yet ...

VTE also in Burkina , but u need to get into BF first

Very helpful! Please update as you proceed
 

Hi,

Very interesting thread! My first message here on the hubb. We are a family of four doing the west african route heading south by 4x4 with start this fall. It would be really helpfull if you could update your progress regarding visa as you travel proceeds. I think you have done a great preperation job so far.
Do you have a blog or anywhere else we can follow your travels?

Madrid
 

Hi
I,am Presently in Madrid with my Toyota LandCrusier 4x4 and would be keen for any advise on crossing into Marocco and driving to South Africa. Is this do able??
I have driven so far from Singapore to Madrid.

Do you have a website or a blog??