Information please about regulations re: Driving Through Senegal
 

We are planning a trip to Senegal in November. We will be crossing into Senegal for Mauritania and plan to be there for up to 2 weeks.
5 or 6 vehicles (all over 8 years old). I have read a lot of conflicting information on bring a 4x4 into Senegal.
What I have read so far

What I am hoping is someone can clear up the confusion.
1) Can a 4x4 over 8 years be brought into Senegal and then driven out again.
2) Is a Carnet de Passage required or can a temporary import passport be got.
3) Does anyone have any up to date information on prices for above.

Any help/advise much appreciated.

Welcome to the Hubb
Have you read the posts in the 'Trip Paperwork'?
Also, if you look at the top right of your screen, you will see that there is a very useful 'search' function - it brings out a multitude of gems.

Thanks for the welcome,

I have read heaps, just getting confused. No response from the Senegal Embassy.
Always nice to get first hand info.

OK, so at the risk of getting slapped, I am going to ask a similar question, and yes I am new, and yes I have done searchs and read posts, including the sticky on carnets, but still a bit confused as well.

We are planning a trip from Europe in a 2001 Land Cruiser down through Mauritania, Mali, Senegal, Guinea, Sierra Leone, then back up through Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Gambia and Senegal. From the sticky on Carnets, it lists Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau and Senegal as requiring a Carnet. However, I have read that people have been able to get through these countries on a Passavant/Laissez-Passer, even Senegal with their silly age restriction.

Are there folks who have traveled through these countries recently who can confirm that it is possible with Passavant/Laissez-Passer? And what are the costs? It seems this would be preferable to the expense of a Carnet if not absolutely required.

Thanks!

A quick link to a recent journey through the above is Kappto cape a trip made over the last 18 months by 2 friends. On the blog they have taken the time to set up sections on such issues as borders etc.

margaret

Thanks Margaret - an interesting read and great inspirational journey, but unfortunately not helpful to my questions as they did not go through the countries of interest, and were traveling by bicycle, not 4x4, so would not have had to deal with carnets.

Rick

carnet and passavant in senegal
 

Hi,

When I entered Senegal at Diama some 10 days ago, they wouldn't stamp my CDP, and wanted me to take a passavant for 3 days and go to Dakar port. Tried to get an extension in St.Louis, and got one for three days. They said if I didn't go to Dakar port to have my CDP registered/stamped, I would have problems exiting Senegal. So I did. I heard yesterday (!) of a German overlander who didn't go to Dakar Port, and wanted to cross the ferry Barra-Banjul with his passavant. He was sent back to Dakar (500 km return).

Hope this helps.

Happy travels,

Gee

Guess we've got the wrong blog as my friends were definately in a 4x4. will check their title for you and add it here.

Margaret

Just checked Kapp2Cape is the corect title. Sorry !!!!!

Hi Margaret- no worries! Kind of funny that there was an actual website under other spelling. Indeed, some good info on the Kapp2cape site. Thanks for the pointer.

Hi Gee- question: your vehicle is '91 land rover, correct? So, in your opinion, is a carnet required for Senegal? For vehicle more than 8 years old? If they require you to get the passavant, why would you also need a carnet? Doesn't make sense, but I am beginning to get the idea that not much makes sense in Africa. Just trying to decide if we need the carnet. We have been following your progress and website- inspiring! To the point where my fiancée said last night "we should get a dog too!" I am trying to talk sense into her... Best of luck and we will be eagerly looking for your updates.

Thanks, I imagine a lot depends on the individual border official also. But the "colonel" I spoke to at the douane in St. Louis was very convincing, and when - within a few days - an overland gets send back to Dakar… I would certainly get the CDP!
I crossed the Gambian-Senegal border this morning. In Senegal they just filled in the CDP again, stamped it, stamped the passport, and I was away in 10 minutes.

Cheers,

Gee