Hi Chaps, has anyone ever gone as far as Banjul Gambia, I have my own wagon and have a job I could do next month. Now this may sound daft but after all the Xs and Ys Im still only earning wages but I really want to go. I am hankering after adventure, a bit sad really I know, her indoors thinks Im mad, midlife crisis and all that. Getting a visa for the Mauritania leg isnt a problem and the rest is just euro work really, I were just wondering if any body had been before who could offer a little advice, tips or whatever would be greatfully recieved…Rob
Welcome to Trucknet Uk robp. The job sounds good
and I wish you the best of luck with the adventure/midlife
crisis 
.
I have been to Banjul to collect my 20’ container from the dock, there were no trucks big enough to carry it though, so I had to hire two pick up trucks and a bit of slave labour to empty it and take it to my house.
Senegal surrounds the Country, and the only trucks that run from mainland Europe are normally competing in the Paris Dakar rally
Sorry robp, never been but it sounds nice.
Good luck and welcome to the funny farm!
Dont think European trucks go much further south than Casablanca really and even then its only people like John Mann and Breda Transport. I dont think there’s even a road that’d take you there and south of Morocco is ofcourse Western Sahara which is something of a semi war-zone with the reminants of groups of rebels fighting for independence so thats a no no. I think the only way there is by ship, but I might be wrong!
Many thanks all for the kind words of encouragement and advice. Im doing the job for my brother who has a car parts shop ina place called Serakunda.
I can do the job for £800 cheaper than a container, a blow out or two or majorish breakdown and Ill be losing, I have a couple of weeks to decide. Its the adventure bit though that I want. I was there a month ago and this will sound sad but I spent a day down the docks watching the battered and beat up Bedford TKs coming out, old Scania 111s loaded with 5 gallon drums of water, and DAF 2800s looking like they have been dragged out of the Thames.
Maybe Im getting carried away with the romance of it all!..
would have thought ,loads of jabs in the arm required.
If you do get there, I might have a backload for you 
only a few boxes, nowt to worry about. but you could always fill them up with Kali
One thing I think I can be certain of is such a trip would not go without any large problems, the sort of journey you’re talking about is probably beyond the realms of 60s and 70s Middle Eastern runs and more dangerous. What would you actually be driving to Banjul in?
As for it being mostly Euro work, hmmm…need I say more? I think the drive through France and Spain will count for something like 5% of the journey time. You could be days in Tangiers or Ceuta clearing customs, then you’ve got to get through Morocco and is Western Sahara even open to transiting trucks? Considering its a semi warzone then maybe not. If its not your only option is via Algeria and again, what would the prodcedure be with a transitting British vehicle? Then ofcourse theres Mauritania, not exactly known for its good roads or its good cart tracks. If your vehicle can hack those conditions and breathing in 90% sand and dust and 10% air then it deserves a medal and as for Senegal thats anyones guess but one thing for sure is that you’d be passing through some of the most dangerous areas on earth for foreigners. Even if you did survive, I’m not sure any vehicle that wasn’t specially designed for that environment would.
I dont suppose you have the financial or technical back up of the Paris Dakar teams but if you can spare £100 it might be worth looking here.
http://www.plymouth-dakar.co.uk/
There was a lad in our local paper, went in for this, He hasnt been seen since, but that doesnt mean he didn’t get there.
One thing I am fairly sure of is that now is not the time of year to attempt a desert crossing, and certainly not on your own!
There are some good books about this,
Im not being a Jonah, I did some research when I moved there. I had a Jeep Wrangler and decided it was not up to the job.
If you are planning on selling the vehicle or even scrapping it. It must be left hand drive, otherwise the taxes you will pay are astronomical
If you are doing this trip to make a profit and you are expecting to be 800 quid cheaper than a container for get it that 800 quid will soon be swallowed up with blow outs and air filters and that is assumimg that nothing mechanical goes wrong. Just think about it the trucks in the Dakar Rally are specially prepared with stacks of spares on board and more than 30 % dont even get as far as Dakar.
Vascoingles:
If you are doing this trip to make a profit and you are expecting to be 800 quid cheaper than a container for get it that 800 quid will soon be swallowed up with blow outs and air filters and that is assumimg that nothing mechanical goes wrong. Just think about it the trucks in the Dakar Rally are specially prepared with stacks of spares on board and more than 30 % dont even get as far as Dakar.
…and they have tons of security and some still get alot of bother from angry locals!
Vascoingles:
If you are doing this trip to make a profit and you are expecting to be 800 quid cheaper than a container for get it that 800 quid will soon be swallowed up with blow outs and air filters and that is assuming that nothing mechanical goes wrong. Just think about it the trucks in the Dakar Rally are specially prepared with stacks of spares on board and more than 30 % don’t even get as far as Dakar.
Don’t forget, the Paris - Dakar is a race. They don’t even go freighted, although I expect they carry a fair weight in spares.
Robp, from the looks of the info you are getting here, I would suggest some more in-depth research before you commit yourself. We all wish you well in this endeavour, but be sure you know exactly what you are getting yourself into, before its to late. It looks like a very interesting trip, but it could very easily turn into a part way run that you won’t come back from, unless you have got everything covered and then have some to spare.
And with only an 800 quid difference between you and the container you may well find your profit margin eaten up and more to boot so while wishing you all the luck in the world please consider the pros and cons with extreme caution
I think anyone who’s heading south of Morocco alone, in a truck, covering that sort of terain with the sort of people living in that area is dancing with death. Unless you’ve got a spare truck, 5 armed guards and the money to lose when it all goes wrong, then I know I wouldn’t do it.
Your right lads, Im just getting carried away with the romance of it all. I thought Id ask the question and was kind of hoping someone would say Yes I go there monthly or something. My old 113 is all Ive got and I cant afford to lose anything really. Thanks chaps…Rob
well look on the bright side when you get there you can always sell your 113 and fly home.
robp. it is a wise and better person who knows when to say no
and any one who is of a sane and sound mind would agree .
If you are still haveing thoughts,what about useing if it is possible and fesible a transport firm from morocco to carry the load to your end destination, ask at JOHN MANN OR BREDA IF THEY MAY BE ABLE to
help with some information ,or from the moroccon transport ministry
as the rates will not be high i imagine ,also then perhaps you might be able to get a return load for europe,
there are no road routes to Banjul or Even Dakar, there are routes through the desert dunes which are not suitable for road haulage.
I sent a 20’ container to Banjul containing my Jeep and a load of household items in 2001 from Felixstowe for £2100.
Have a read of the Plymouth Dakar site, and have a look at this site, read from bottom upwards.
The french company Chapuis transports from Lyon did a test run down to Nigeria ~1977. Bringing pipeline and leather on the way back. With a Saviem (6x4) semi tralier. They where going trough Algeria…
Now is no more possible to cross Algeria and as far i now south of Mauritania is very difficult with semitrailer. Father south is more question of security than road condition…
I have some interessant photosabout the Chapuis trip if somebody want to see it just contact me directly.
Good luck