Exploring jungle tracks from Nigeria to Cameroon.
The main crossing from Nigeria to Cameroon on the West Coast of Africa is the stuffthat overland legends are made of. The Mamfe Road is only one hundred kilometres long, although it takes most well-prepared overlanders a week of slogging to cover that distance. As the monster mud holes are big enough to bury even six-wheel-drive vehicles to their axles, many lesser vehicles remain stuck until they are dug out by a virtual army of locals, or rescued by tracked Caterpillar machinery. All of that is in the dry season. Traversing the West Coast of Africa in the wet season is completely impossible, primarily because of this one road.
However, as I learned recently, none of that is true anymore.
In January 2016, a Chinese crew finished rebuilding the entire road. One recent report says that the crossing can now be completed at 100km/h with cruise control engaged, and is actually mundane and boring.
I came to West Africa in search of adventure, and had been expecting this road to be a highlight of my West African traverse. As far as I am concerned, this new road just won’t do.
It just won’t do at all.
Jungle tracks
Despite poring over maps and searching for alternate routes, I found information hard to come by. For years, the Mamfe Road has been the only crossing used by overlanders, and very few people have ventured elsewhere. Northern Nigeria and Cameroon are currently offlimits due to Boko Haram activity, so in my search for a more adventurous border crossing, I am mindful of not venturing too far north.
How far north is safe? That’s debatable.
Denne historien er fra July 2018-utgaven av SA4x4.
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Denne historien er fra July 2018-utgaven av SA4x4.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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