Dakar 2007

[Bert]

carnet

So do we need a carnet or not & how long will it take to get if we need one

Maroc=no
Mauritania (embassy says mandatory) but been twice and never asked for one
Mali ditto ditto ditto
Senegal - not been - I believe you need a carnet
Time to get one- RAC say minimum 1 month

 

[Loz]

So do we need a carnet or not & how long will it take to get if we need one

Folks do seem to be able to get these Lazzez-Passes, I suppose much depends on the atttude of the customs guy on a particular day.


hi mate,i've been reading loads and it seams that you DON'T need a carnet but like bert say's it's probabley better to have one,saying that i'm not gonna bother i'll just play it by ear,i'm sure the money it costs for a carnet is a lot more than a "gift"to the border guard.....loz

 

[Bert]

Patience

Patience will be needed then Loz!!
as you'll have to wait in those fly infested 'cabanes' & might have to drink 'mint tea' made with unmentionable water before you can get through!!
A big smile might help!

If you manage to get a 'Laissez-Passer' make sure it has your bike details on it and the dates are valid! good luck

 

[kevhdr3]

Just refreshing as this thread seem to have disappeared ? & had to use search to find it.

 

[Steptoe]

Just refreshing as this thread seem to have disappeared ? & had to use search to find it.

Last post before yours was Bert, yesterday morning .

 

[Tim Cullis]

BMW needs a lighter bike (and I mean lighter than the G650) to be viable, especially as the Dakar organisers announced that the 2007 rally would involve more, not less, sand.

Not a single BMW moto is entered for the 2007 rally. In 2006 there were 11.

Tim

 

[(RIP) petcul]

Hi All,

For what it's worth, and forgive me if this is a repeat because I've not read all the posts on this one, just got back from Senegal and The Gambia where I had a ball. Great places and loads of memories. I've lots of information but the following is a brief summary.

Note: I went on a new 1200GS so the rules may be different for older bikes.

Entry into Morocco through Ceuta appears to have become very easy. Got through in 15-20 minutes both ways. It might have been that on both occasions it was a Sunday.

Visa for Mauritania dead easy at the consulate in Casablanca. Good hotel at the traffic lights down the road toward the centre of town. Hand in the form and passport at 9am and get the visa at 3pm. You can get the two there if you are visiting Mauritania twice.

Coastal route down to Agadir and Sidi Ifni (Hotel Bellvue and Nomad restaurant) pleasant.

Layounne still expensive because of UN but great campsite and food at Campsite Le Roi Bedouin 22m north of Layounne. Rooms and tents available.

Dakhla. Hotel Doumss and Restaurant Bahia not bad.

Border crossing between Morocco and Mauritania not much of a hassle apart from the 4K of sand and rock between the two countries. Bear left after you leave Morocco and the track is easy to follow. Forget the guides offering to 'guide' you through the mines! Avoid crossing during the lunch three hours 1200-1500! No carnet necessary but you pay for the bike Permis. A few miles after the border you get to a t-junction where there is a caravan. You buy insurance there - about 10euros for 7 days.

Fuel available north of Moroccan border (very cheap in the south after Tan Tan) or Nouadihbou - six of one and half dozen of the other because of the detour down to Nouadihbou in terms of consumption. Nothing after that, apart from people selling it from drums at exhorbitant rates, until Nouakchott.

Great road to Nouakchott and although not too much traffic people always stopped to see if I was ok when I took a break.

Nouakchott (Auberge Petit Paris ok sort of) nothing much and road signs non existent but people helpful.

As everybody says avoid Rosso. I made the mistake of going there and got hassled for hours.

Djama to the west is much better. The turn off for Djama is just after the Total Filling Station and opposite the Taamin Assurance office. You go through what looks like a scrapyard and the dump and keep going west. Piste is fine, it must be, I made it, and about 90K. Crossing at Djama a joy. Again insurance for W Africa available at the border and covers most of francophone W Africa and the Gambia. No carnet needed for my bike but you have to buy a Permis. And you pay the guy at the barrier and pay a community tax but both cheap.

Main roads in Senegal mostly ok but the road from Tambacounda to Kaolack is bad.

St. Louis delightful (Auberge La Louisanne great).

Only went to Dakar to get the photo. Not the best place in the world. Lots of hassle etc. Thies a much quieter place which I liked very much.

The crossing into the Gambia was hassle free. Again no carnet needed and a Permis issued without problem. Was told there was normally a charge but I was such a good guy they waived it!!!

Roads not so good to Barra and Banjul. Lots of 'helpers' at Barra for the ferry but no hassle really. Try and get the newer of the two ferries across the R Gambia. I didn't think the slow one I got would make it across.

Lots of hustlers around Albert Market in Banjul and some at the coast - Bakau - which is geared towards package tours and Europeans. If following the R Gambia east do it on the north side where I am told there is a metalled road unless, of course, you like the equivalent of 190M offroad. Having said that the southern route does have its compensations - Tendaba for example.

Loved Basse Sante Su and Fulladu Camp across the river great.

Crossing back into Senegal near Velingara, piste sandy and rough, Douane so laid back they wouldn't give me a Permis. Fortunately got it sorted out at the next Douane checkpoint. Same as Djama. Is it only Rosso?

SE Senegal around Kedougou great.

Lots of checks from Morocco onwards by Gendermarie, police, army and Douane but apart from the odd official looking for a 'cadeau' (refused all) never a problem. Documents do need to be in order or it will be different. Once in Senegal I was even asked for my vaccination certificate! Met a German couple who did not buy insurance at the Senegal border and were 'fined' 20 euros each at a checkpoint.

And then there was the long road back.

Have a great time.

Peter

 

[Sir James]

You've done all that and 66

Your an OAP hero

 

[ktmBill]

Dakar, Morocco and home...

Hi all,
got this link from the ADV forum, there's some interest in going to the Dakar over there. I for one am definatley going. Was very interested in your trip and would love to join up, but you guys are making it into an epic! 6 weeks would mean no bread on the table! or women in the fridge.

I'm planning to go from Newcastle UK, on the 1st of Jan, heading south. The ferries to Spain, as you know are sort of finised by that time - last one 27th Dec and next last one is 4th Jan - too early and too late. So looks like am battling down thru France.

I want to get ahead of the rally and get to Morocco - heading south - but taking in stages as I go. Africa virgin - so not very organised at the moment, but pressure building up. Dont think I'll go further than Sourthern Moroc border as I need to be back in London for 30th Jan. Currently debating what GPS system to get - zumo or other garmin, zumo is frighteningly expensive over here.

Anyway, would be great to meet up - even if I dont end up riding with your trip - would be useful for me to pick up as much advise and ideas for routes as possible. I need to camp as much as possible and save money on hotels for example.

Let me know if you are meeting up anytime and I'll travel down.
All the best
Billy
KTM 990

 

[Number 6]

Hello Bill, there is a ferry on the 31st Dec, Plymouth - Santander, have you considered this? It's got to be better than that long ride through France in January

Our group, 4 of us, are having a meet at Steptoes Overland Workshop on the 15th, see here :- http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=88133
if you fancy going down?

We will hopefully be crossing over to Morocco on the 31st Dec and heading for Azrou, having about 5 nights in Morocco. I don't think you'll want to be camping much in Morocco, it could be damn cold and the hotels aren't expensive anyway. As for GPS, I would definitely recommend a Garmin, my preference is for the Quest, there have been a couple for sale on here recently, but you need to become a site sponsor to use the for sale and wanted section. Whatever route you decide, there will definitely be other bikes making the trip, both from the UK and Europe, so you won't be alone.

Keep us posted, and we might be able to meet up in North Africa

Andy.

EDIT. just been notified that the Workshop has been cancelled. So don't go Bill

 

[ktmBill]

Thanks Andy...

Hello Bill, there is a ferry on the 31st Dec, Plymouth - Santander, have you considered this? It's got to be better than that long ride through France in January
Keep us posted, and we might be able to meet up in North Africa
Andy.

Cheers. I'll keep piping into the discussion. I cant get away from family till the 1st Jan - so I couldnt make the ferry. I think thats the last one - then the next is 4th Jan, but that would get me to spain for the 6th - so am behind the rally then. Do you think this would be a problem? ie. would I be chasing my tail then trying to get ahead of them for some viewing etc. I'm not sure yet as I dont know the route. Of course I want to just enjoy Morocco too as well as take in some of the atomsphere of the rally. My other problem is at the far end of the trip - I need to be in London for a conference (speaker) on the 30th Jan, so am not that flexible.

Ah, well, should just enjoy the fact that I'm going!!! A privlege indeed!
Ta and let me know if you guys organise another meet...

 

[Two wheels good]

Acciona ferries - Bibao - P'mouth. Sailing in January

Hi
I posted info in the main Travel section

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=90891

Some welcome competition on the route.
David

 

[ozzy]

Hello ktm bill , ozzy here from durham we are all so going to the dakar rally leaving 28th dec from portsmouth to bilboa back the 13th for more info look in (search) then Dakar cheers ozz

 

[ktmBill]

Hello ktm bill , ozzy here from durham we are all so going to the dakar rally leaving 28th dec from portsmouth to bilboa back the 13th for more info look in (search) then Dakar cheers ozz

Hi, wow, thats close, would love to head down with your group, but I cant leave that early due to ex wife, kids, mortgage, work, dog, cat, mouse, goldfish, washing, drying, painting, roofing, fixing car, writing speach, and parting the red sea.

You know the score.

Do you have a route plan you could share? I'll try and catch you up. I'm going onthe 31st or the 1st -depending on how quick I can just slip away. So its a day to portsmout, a day in france and a day in spain - and thats if weahter is fair. so I should be in Africa on the 4th - heading down to whichever is the best viewing.

Let me know your plans - would be good to touch base.

Ta
Billy

 

[Bert]

FUEL up here

Hi All,

Fuel available north of Moroccan border (very cheap in the south after Tan Tan) or Nouadihbou - six of one and half dozen of the other because of the detour down to Nouadihbou in terms of consumption. Nothing after that, apart from people selling it from drums at exhorbitant rates, until Nouakchott.


If you don't want to bother with Nouadhibou, you'll find the largest and last fuel station here N22 03.290 W16 44.797 TAX FREE!
There is a restaurant and food supplies- last refrigerated stuff /chocolate etc etc etc before NKT - so stock and fill up

 

[Tim Cullis]

I should be in Africa on the 4th - heading down to whichever is the best viewing.

The detailed routes haven't been released yet (i.e. maps from Euromaster), but you should have ample time to intercept the rally before Errachidia on the evening of Mon 8 Jan. There will be a liaison stage the next morning, so get up at 3:30am, ride to the airport to watch the start of the liaison stage (non competitive), then ride south and you should come to the start of the special (competitive stage) on the eastern side of the road.

They will head off into the hamada, but if you ride south at a fair rate of knots, the turn east at Erfoud, and ride out towards Erg Chebbi, you should be able to intercept the rally again.

From there, you could head west and intercept the rally again that evening near Ouarzazate.

Tim

 

[Tim Cullis]

Bad week for sheep

The gradual advance of the lunar vs calendar months see the feast of Eid el-Adha falling on New Year's Eve 2006 (last year it was early January). Also known as Eid el-Kebir or the Festival of the Sacrifice, this celebrates the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son Isac (Issac) and the eventual substitution of a sheep. So it's a bad week for sheep.

The Eid is the most important religious festival in Islam and every Moroccan wants to celebrate it at home, so there will be extra traffic on the roads in the days before and after. Banks, government offices, most shops and a lot of restaurants will be closed on 31 December 2006 and 1 January 2007.

Tim

 

[(RIP) petcul]

And Turkeys Not Happy Either!

A VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND A PEACEFUL NEW YEAR TO ALL OF YOU. HAVE A HASSLE FREE JOURNEY AND, MOST OF ALL, HAVE A BALL.

 

[Sir James]

Just booked the overnight ferry to Caen on the 31st of December , £5 cheaper than Tunnel
I'll be in Lisbon on the 3rd or 4th of January with Mr's B so keep an eye out for a black Landy and we'll have a beer

Bon Voyage

 

[Number 6]

A VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND A PEACEFUL NEW YEAR TO ALL OF YOU. HAVE A HASSLE FREE JOURNEY AND, MOST OF ALL, HAVE A BALL.

Cheers Peter I'm in countdown mode now, can't wait for Wednesday

James, are you going over to Morocco? We won't be going to Portugal, heading straight down to Azrou for New Year.
Andy.