Route North Africa, Morocco, Mauritania, Senegal, Guineas
 

My name is Dan, I am Spanish.

On September 20, approximately, I leave for North Africa in my bike. the planned route is morocco, mauritania, senegal, guinea bisau, guinea conakry and return. 2 to 3 months of travel. lots of free camping, offroad in guinea conakry.

If someone wants to share part of the route, contact dantrevias@hotmail.com

West Africa by motorbike
 

I hope you got off successfully.
Are you doing a blog? Or route tracking on Polarsteps? If so I would like to follow them.
I am at a very early stage of planning a similar trip in 2023. I’m hoping to ship my bike (BMW F800) to Tangiers and see how far I can get. I have no time constraints.
It would be very interesting to hear how you are getting on.
My current concerns are:
- are the main coast roads between Senegal and Ghana paved and passable on a touring bike?
- same question for the stretch between Ghana and Angola.
- are there any long stretches where it may be difficult to find petrol?
- is it relatively straightforward to get local bike insurance at the border crossings?
- are any of the borders likely to pose a problem to someone traveling on an EU (Irish) passport?
But no doubt I will find plenty more things to worry about!
I may fly out to Ghana in the next couple of months for an initial taster. There’s a guy there who says he can fix me up with a small trail bike. If it works out it would be great to meet you there.
Meanwhile good luck!
Chris.

Hola Crissallsop

I leave next week, I hope to arrive in Morocco on Wednesday or Thursday.
When you leave for Africa you can stay at my house if you want, I live in the north of Spain, then you can cross Spain in 1 or 2 days to Algeciras where shipping to Morocco is very simple and cheap. and Spain is also very beautiful. This is much cheaper for you than sending the motorcycle to Morocco.

I have a YouTube channel called Ultimo Siroco https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkB...xT4j_4A/videos
but the videos of the trip through africa will take time to come out.
- Are the main coastal roads between Senegal and Ghana paved and passable on a touring bike?

Yes, it is possible to cross Africa along the west coast without doing offroad, the least developed is Guinea Conakry, Sierra Leone and Liberia. Several travelers have confirmed it to me

- Are there long stretches where it may be difficult to find gasoline?
Yes, in Mauritania 400km without gas stations, I have been told

- Is it relatively easy to obtain local bike insurance at border crossings?
I think yes, it is also possible in the main cities, there is insurance for much of the west coast, the same insurance for many countries

- Are any of the borders likely to be a problem for someone traveling on an EU (Irish) passport?

In your place I would try to process some insurance (evisa) online. others en route.

on my journey.
morocco- i don't need a visa
mauritania- on the border
senegal- i don't need
guinea bisau- processed in zinguinchor (senegal)
guinea conakry-evisa, online, I already have it
sierra leone- check online or at the border

I will not get to ghana, a shame, but this is my phone you can contact me whenever you want +34 653 77 55 41

my english is bad, i use translator, sorry

Hello,
I will start the same trip soon, from Switzerland to Ghana. Do you need a document called CPD for your countries? It's expensive, so if it is not really neccessary i will not take it. We will maybe meet on the road.
You can find me on Instagram: 2wheels.onedream

Contact
 

Hola Dan, estoy planeando Galicia-Sierra Leona en enero-febrero, una pregunta: Para qué países has necesitado Carnet de Passage, Senegal?
Gracias y buen viaje, te seguiré por youtube
Pablo.bier

Regarding Carnet in West Africa. I rode from UK to Senegal in October 2022. I didn't have a Carnet and it was no problem.

I got Temporary Import Permits at each border BUT I have been told that is only possible if your bike is less than 8 years old.

They did ask how old my bike was at border posts and also checked that on the registration form so it is probably true.

No f***g s**t! My bike is from 2012! My maths say 10 years.



I recall there was just requirement in Senegal in the past, but I thougth they settled a WAIVER.


100% sure they absolutely require less than 8 years or then CDP?????


Sorry for insisting. Thanks in advance, you were there in October!

Estebangc: No I'm not sure at all.

What I am saying is that I was there in October 2022 and I did not use a Carnet. I got Temporary Import Permits at each border. My bike is a 2017 model.

However, I met someone who was using a Carnet and when I asked him why he had a Carnet he said it was because his vehicle was older than 8 years old. He said the rules changed recently. I was unaware of that.

I don't know if he is right BUT I can say for sure I was asked how old my bike was and had to show the customs the date of first registration on the registration document. They did check it.

Maybe they checked the date out of curiosity but maybe they checked to see how old the bike was.

To avoid problems with a 10 year old bike I would make enquiries and check the exact Carnet rules before departing...................