Budapest Bamako 2011
The Budapest - Bamako 2011 amateur rally involved driving through Spain - Morocco - Western Saharah - Mauritania - Senegal - Mali in 12 days by motorbike. I skipped
the other Eurppean countries, too cold in January.
Budapest - Bamako Route & GPS data.
My daily track logs from the GPS (Garmin 60Csx). The .gpx files can be downloaded (right click > save as) or viewed on a Google map. Distances are approximate.
The gpx tracks & maps of the last 2-3 days are not accurate / complete. me with any questions.
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Jan 18: Spain - Ceuta - Meknes.
The official camp was in Azrou. Support car held up at the border so we stayed at the Ibis hotel in Meknes, about 65Km before the camp.
view map - download .gpx - Jan 19: Meknes - Azrou - Ouarzazate. 610Km.
Finishing with the beautiful R307 road over the Atlas, unfortunately done in the dark. Very long and tiring day, finishing at Biker's Home around 1AM.
view map - download .gpx - Jan 20: Ouarzazate - Bou Jerif. 500Km.
Leaving beautiful Ouarzazate behind to the last stop before the Western Saharah. Camped at the Fort Bou Jerif.
view map - download .gpx - Jan 21: Bou Jerif - Bojdour. 650Km.
Long boring stretch through the empty Western Saharah. Petrol is cheaper here. Bring many "fiches" for the checkpoints. People and police here are friendlier than further North. Checked out the Musée de Saint-Expery in Tarfaya.
view map - download .gpx - Jan 22: Bojdour – Guerguarat. 610Km.
Another long stretch of tarmac, stopping only to hand over "fiches" or refill the tanks. Stayed in the last hotel on the road instead of camping at the border. Alcohol is illegal in Mauritania; sell it to Moroccans before you cross.
view map - download .gpx - Jan 23: Guerguarat - Bou Lounar. 150Km.
Crossing the border from Morocco to Mauritania took about 5hrs. The camp was set around a camp fire in the desert in Mauritania, close the border and guarded by the Mauritanian army. Many dunes here to play in.
view map - download .gpx - Jan 24: Bou Lounar - B2Beach. 280Km.
After a long and fun stretch through open desert and small dunes, the camp was found, at a deep sand beach named B2Beach after the rally.
view map - download .gpx - Jan 25: B2Beach - Nouakchott. 150Km.
The entire stage was an excellent fast ride along the open beach. We had three hours to ride before the tide got too high. Watch out for dogs in the villages and hidden tide pools!
view map - download .gpx - Jan 26: Nouakchott - Dakar. 565Km.
After a nice ride on the piste to the Diama border crossing (avoid Rosso!) we waited for 4hrs at the border. Then a long ride all the way to Lac Rose, Dakar.
view map - download .gpx - Jan 27: Dakar - Niokolo Koba. 550Km.
Stayed in cheap, pleasant bungalows outside the park (motorbikes not allowed inside). Guided excursion in to park not worth it. Temperatures rise to 40C for the rest of the trip.
view map - download .gpx - Jan 28: Niokolo Koba - Kayes. 380Km.
Relatively quick & easy to cross the border in to Mali. Motorbikes do need a Laissez-Passer document. You CAN drive through to Mali without getting stamped in but you DO need the stamp. Kayes is filthy.
view map - download .gpx - Jan 29: Kayes - Diema. 265Km.
The country side becomes very nice here. Many villages to stop at along the road and chat with the locals. The smaller the settlement, the less hassle. Camped at Village Ventures where most of the aid was dropped off.
view map - download .gpx - Jan 30: Diema - Bamako. 342Km.
Final push in to Bamako. Failed to find the finishing ceremony so proceeded straight the Hotel El Farouk pool.
view map - download .gpx
Budapest - Bamako Video of the route.
Official video of the route. Several sections in this video were changed at the last minute.