Budapest to Bamako

[Brayn]

Hi Guys,
Anybody up for the B2 rally?
I would like to form a team,or join an existing team, that would be doing it.I regard myself more than competent as a mechanic, and driver as well.The original plan is to prep the truck in the uk,..drive it accross europe, and start the rally in budapest..to bamako.
any suggestions?

[Brayn]

Sorry, i should have introduced myself,..
I'm from Namibia, residing most of the time in Cape town, lately.My daily drive is a 80 series, and love overlanding.In my books, a surf is more than capable for the B2.

[slobodan]

I looked at that, I was going to do it last year.

I think you leave the vehicle in Africa at the end of the rally.

I ain't leaving my Surf anywhere.

[Brayn]

well, it does not have to stay there,. we can go all the way to CT.or the vehicle can be sold in Bamako. Or driven back to the uk, by a different route, or the same route.there are options.

[Overland Tonka]

It's a race as to who gets there first....the rebels who have taken over the north and moving south or you.

[Brayn]

is that not enough motivation to stay ahead?

[Surf01]

I doubt very much if you can drive overland from Europe to Cape Town safely whether you use the east or western route. If there was a safe route we would have hooked up the caravan and left long ago!
Always wanted to overland from Nairobi to Cape Town though. Longest I have done is Harare to Cape Town, however done it several times. What part of Cape Town do you live in as I am a "Kaapie"?

[Brayn]

Yes, it can be done, and it is done basically everyday..
even a woman alone..
http://merlindalotter.com/

[tashtego]

Timbuktu

Hi Brayn,
I cannot join you on the B2 but I wish you well, I have seen some tv coverage and it looks a fantastic event, with a number of surfs/4runners, there s a pic of one on their B2 website if I am not wrong. Some other less likely vehicles take part, like beetles, renault 4s, it looks a lot of fun...

I wonder if they will avoid Bamako altogether and just go straight from mauritania to senegal and then finish in Bissau...Timbuktu is in rebel hands, according to the news, but its a long way from bamako...still situation in bamako is tense. There are extremist groups in mauritania too and I think they would enjoy the publicity that goes with capturing a whole bunch of "zungus" and their vehicles!

I really hope they go ahead with it as it's an awesome event and rises money for worthy causes,it would be a shame if it left Africa in the way that the Dakar did...

[Surf01]

Yes, it can be done, and it is done basically everyday..
even a woman alone..
http://merlindalotter.com/

Knowing Africa, that western route is not one I would normally consider especially through Congo, Angola and some other countries plus that route was done in 2008. I was under the impression that there were big issues in Mali at present.

[Brayn]

Yea, there are issues everywhere in the world, isn't it? It seems to me more dangerous to send your kid to a youth camp in scandinavia, or to go to a movie somewhere in america,..
anyway, i think it will be fun,..at least you are prepared to face some sh!t! in the B2 rally!
any takers...

[Overland Tonka]

You will have the option of an army escort through Mauritania or just drive through the desert. There will be guides for the desert when you get to Dakla in the western sahara.

Senegal is very corrupt and a pain in the arse. Make sure you have your hi viz one for each person in the car, fire extinguisher and two warning triangles...no one else in the country will have these, but the police will look for any reason to fine you.

Mali is having major problems with a lot of fighting. When I was there we tried to find a route avoiding the major route from west to east through the centre of Mali...it was not possible so we ended up using this route. It was quite hostile two years ago...now mix that with armed rebels...good luck.