Hi every one, we are after as much information as possible for a trip we are doing in 2009 from Blackpool to Banjul. We are travelling through France, Spain, & Portugal, Then on to Africa, Morrocco, Western Sahara / Mauritania, Senagal, & finally The Gambia. We would welcome any travel advice, roads, stopovers, avoidances, In fact ANY INFORMATION particulaly for the African leg. Many Thanks Sandy
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Well good luck to you--4 French tourists shot in Mauritania-The Paris Dakar race cancelled because it was considered too dangerous----Gambia is a popular & safe holiday destination tho---6hr by air from UK--what sort of vehicle are you driving for this trip?--
Hi Sandy,
Look at the home office web site, and maybe visit your local
travel office, they could at least give you the info you want.
But, I would say, if you must visit Africa then I would go maybe
to Namibia or South Africa, much safer. Namibia I know is a
Beautiful and peaceful country. Fly there and hire a 4wd and a
caravan.
All the best
Mike
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
In time you will find that the cancelled Dakar had as much to do with other matters as well as the "Threats"....There are two other "Rallies" running down there at the moment with no probs as all...........But yes, 4 French tourist killed there [Mauri] just before Xmas.......MMmmmmm not as many as killed teanages on the streets of the UK!!!!
Motorhomes/Caravan owners love a drama......You are looking on the wrong site for this sort of info......go too www.sahara-overland.com for real info and/or ask at www.desertdetours.com who are still running deep sahara tours [non-motorhome] as well as MH tours down the west coast as far as Senagal.
I think you will find Lord Lucan, that the tounge in cheek replies to this post so far echo what you are saying ie you need to consult the experts who wont be on here--the 'experts' although isisting these countries are basically safe advise against solo trips & suggest organised groups which sound a far better bet---do compare like with like tho, 4 tourists have not been murdered on the streets of the UK, but teenaged gang members--I wonder how many local people are murdered on a daily basis in these countries?
This what I found from a bit of googling, L/L---are you saying this isnt true?
The annual Paris-Dakar Rally which has been an institution since 1979 has been canceled this year because of terrorism threats. The organizers insist that the safety of participants comes first. The killing of four French tourists in a Mauritanian town through which rally participants pass, coupled with advisories from French intelligence were reasons for the cancellation.
The Mauritanian government had planned to place 4000 military personal in bivouacs at various points along the route. Ba Madine, the Minister of Tourism in Mauritania says, “When there’s a terrorist menace, the best way to deal with it is to confront it.”
------------- Every day should be a holiday!
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Without going into detail......I have in the past been involved in the {what was then} Paris-Dakar and the Camel etc.....
These "Threats" were well known and have been ongoing for months/years.....plenty of time to cancel.......So why was it done with just HOURS to go......AFTER scrutineering and formal booking in?.....
Teams aside the financial implications for the "Locals" is huge....I was planning to be and most likley will still will be at the Er Rachidiar/Dakar bivi in Morocco [I was last year]. The organisation and employement is massive as the rally rolled onward.....
I think that this may well be the last Dakar and/or one of the last the French organisors will be involved in.......Budapest too ????? has already been contracted for 2010......Personally, and what do I know, I think it will move to the east [Russia] where they know how to deal with these "Threats"........
If you want to see who is really clapping and having a laugh go to one of the many "Jihad" sites and see what they are saying, after this result, about the Olimpics.....
Anyway, that it.....Off to Morocco tomorrow with a group of Mhome/Caravans for a few weeks, with desertdetours.......
LL.....
PS....I think if you looked at the per-cap figures for crime [murder] in these areas and given our so called civilised status and level of policing they [Mauri etc] don't do to bad!
--I guessed there was a bit more to it-pity if its the last, Ive always found it interesting--so cheers for clearing that one up---- & safety in numbers appears to be the way to go with these sort of trips----
If you can travel with a group then you should be OK. The most interesting bit used to be between Morocco and Mauritania. It used to be shown on maps as "Western Sahara-Disputed Territories". This was because it was / is claimed by the Moroccans, The Mautitanians and the Algerians. The fact that there is an indigenous people who have lived there for some 3000 years does not seem to count for much.
In my experience of travel in Africa things arn,t as threatening or dangerous as we are often led to believe.I remember being cautioned against travel in numerous countries such as Algeria,Zaire,Burundi,Rwanda,Etc and have never had any serious problems,infact the only time ive been attacked in trips to over 70 countries was in Surrey.England.Nearly all my travels have been solo,often with a backpack.
Keep an eye on the situation and if things deteriate badly be flexable enough to make other plans.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
I've no advice or info. to offer in additon to the above more experienced travellers except to say 'wow' for planning to do such an adventurous trip. I wish you and your companions a safe experience of wonder and marvel.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Gambia bound
..I have in the past been involved in the {what was then} Paris-Dakar and the Camel etc.....
