Pictures
7. Faille D’Aledjo… Togo
8. The rest of the crew
9. Ore, Sagamu - Benin Expressway.. made it home to Ondo state Nigeria.

Pictures
4. My 505 Okada… Morocco
5. Taking a pee break…Mauritania
6. Topping up on water.. .Senegal

@Readone35L
Nope…the Peugeot's 505 were not lowered, just slightly overloaded, but I fitted rear Rubber coil spring assister (http://www.springassisters.co.uk/menu.htm) to try and maintain a descent ride height, and had reinforced side walls tyres and a bash plate fitted were the only modification I made. I also converted the rear of the station wagon into sleeping quarters and storage compartments (see picture 2). The station wagon was a 1992 American spec 2.2 GTI, manual, 8 seater, with AC. While the saloon driven by my brother was a 1988 European spec 2.8L V6 manual with a roof tent as sleeping quarters.

@CityNG, Lomomike, chimoz
Update…..Funkstein, myself, my brother and 2 other friends did do the trip, although not in summer of 2012, but last year (November 2013) taking the Western Sahara route (England/Germany - France - Spain - Morocco - Mauritania - Senegal - Mali - BukinaFaso - Togo - Benin - Nigeria). This time I decide to do the trip with Okada.

Brief description of the pictures.
1. Saloon roof tent…Sahara Desert Algeria. December 2007
2. Station wagon sleeping quarters…Tamanrasset Algeria. December 2007
3. Sleeping at a Petrol station near Rabat… Morocco
4. My Okada 505… Morocco
5. Taking a pee break…Mauritania
6. Topping up on water.. .Senegal
7. Faille D’Aledjo… Togo
8. The rest of the crew
9. Ore, Sagamu - Benin Expressway.. made it home to Ondo state Nigeria.

5 Sahara desert Algeria...who sent me message.
6 isn't she lovely _ 505 2.2 GTI Manual American Spec with AC
7 Bumped into my old 505 in Akure from my previous trip, could not resist taken a picture with her again
8 Gathering of champions

I’ve been enjoying following your trend, pele about your exhaust…I feel you, considering we call ourselves giants of Africa, Nigerian roads are some of the worst in West African, both in terms of infrastructure and driver mentality.

Correct me if I’m wrong, but even if Aso Rock still uses 406 as an official vehicle, definitely not the V6… shouldn’t our Police know that.

Thanks for the links to the troubleshooting web sites. With someone like Siena on this trend, I dare not claim to be too technical, I did start an apprenticeship as a road side mechanic in Lagos (#12 Oba Akran Ikeja) but never made it as far as getting my freedom.
After owning a few 505s of the years, (of which 2 got stolen in London ) I do do some limited DIY on them. Attached are pictures of some of the 505 I once owned.

I have no intention of changing this my V6 Auto to manual, Auto gives a more cruising feeling with such an old car, but whenever I do the road trip again, it would have to be in a manual. I believe manual transmission is better suited for such kind of trips.

Upgrading my sound system is a project planned for next year. I’ll post the pics once I get started.

Brief description of the Pictures
1 Isn't she lovely Morocco_ 505 GTI Manual
2 Helping a fellow Peugeot driver in Mauritania
3 Ikogosi warm spring resort Nigeria
4 505 V6 Manual on the move Algeria

@Ikenna: abi you be winch, I bought her late last year from a Peugeot dealer in Holland who had it in his showroom, he had a collection of classic Peugeot and wanted to get rid of some, that’s how I got luck. It only had 53,000 Km on the clock which for a 1988 vehicle is low. It’s automatic, sadly has no AC and the sound system is crap…but I love my 505, even my Okada plate number na 505

I can confirm what Ikenna351 is saying, even here in Europe, Peugeot 505 are becoming rare gem. It took me almost 3 years to find one I liked at a decent price, generally 505 prices in Europe are no longer profitable for exporters, as Ikenna351 said owners are holding on.

@Savedbaba: Finding a 505 with AC in Europe is also rare, the top spec 505 then in Europe did not come as standard with AC, it was an additional option, it’s mainly American Spec that came with Factory fitted AC as standard and a few in France.

@Ikenna351; here are a few photographs of my beloved 505s in the Sahara, it took us 4 weeks from London/Cologne to Akure (Ondo state).

The top pic is Christmas eve 2007 in Djanet Algeria
The bottom pic is me driving the GTI station wagon while my brother is following in the V6

@ omoajiri; This thread is about Shagati’s Lagos to Accra road trip, make I no go hijack am with pictures of my Okada for sale without Shagati’s permission. Alternatively here’s my email: tundeadu@hotmail.com, inbox me and I’ll reply you with the pictures.

@ komekn: you never go since, wetin you dey wait for? There is never really going to be a prefect ideal time. I can understand not wanting to do it alone, but no try convince anybody to come along, because when yawa burst na extra wahala, if you just find one person to join you, it’s a enough. In 50 years Insha'Allah, when I look back at life, I’ll probably regret more the things I did not do, than the things I did. komekn just hit the road, no be rocket surgery….na liver.

@Shagati: you done add additional 7500km+ to my Okada, no be strong selling point. From your jest, looks like I’ll stay away from Ghana to save time.

@Ikenna351: I enjoyed your photo diary of your trip, reminds me of my own 505 V6 drive in 2007 from London to Lagos... I loved my 505. I see you’ve got a K&N air filter...nice one

Wetin dey…Why are so many people skeptic. Like Shagati said, Lagos to Accra is only 460 km, In my option the most frustrating part about the trip are the border crossing, in particular Aflao. Nice one Shagati, I enjoyed the few pictures.

@ omoajiri; I would be selling my 2008 Yamaha R6 end of Nov, it’s an ideal bike for starters (if you aren’t above 6 feet tall). I most warn you you’ll probably get an R6 cheaper than mine at Ebute-Metta/Oyingbo, but mine’s got full Yamaha service history, 1 owner and it’s ready for Shagati kind trips.

@Funk Stein
There is never going to be a 100% perfect time to do such a road trip, Sadly the African continent always appears to have potential trouble spots, it just requires proper planning to minimize the risk.

Route 7 on your map has got to many border crossings, which can be a nightmare and consumes time, on my first trip we took route 1 then 5, but from Ouagadougou went straight down south to Lome. The Initial plan was to enter Ghana from the north, and go via Accra to Nigeria, (Anglophone countries appear to be a lot more corrupt than francophone countries), as we did not have a Carnet de Passages, the Ghanaian border control wanted a deposit of £1000 for my car, when so far other border crossing we had been paying an equivalent of between £20 - £15 for a Laisser Passe (Temporary import permit), so we headed further east in Burkina-Faso and entered Togo from the North straight down to Lome, onward to Nigeria along the coast.

On the second trip, we got to Tamanrasset with the plan to go straight on down to Agadez (Niger) but were advice to avoid Northern Niger (we knew that might happen before we left London), so we had to head further west in Algeria, via Bordj Mokhtar (Algeria) into Northern Mali and then entered Niger from the South-West border via Labbezanga (Mali).

In terms of bandits along the route, since we did it in a Peugeot 505, we did not really stand out as compared to being in a 4x4, not being exactly white skinned (100% Oyindo) might have also been an advantage. The Western Sahara route is relative save at the moment and should be possible in 21days with little or no sight seeing and limited rest days. The so call no man’s land between Morocco and Mauritania is actually save, just make sure you stay on the main piste.

Bandits are everywhere, and mostly operate at night, so logically avoid night time travel, unfortunately in Nigeria, Police and so called local Government officials operate/rob in broad day light, having all your paper work and documents complete is no guarantee for hassle free day time travel. Once across Seme border, you’ll understand why Nigeria is the worst route by road along the whole route, the only comfort we had is we were Nigerian ourselves.

Feel free to contact me directly:  tundeadu@hotmail.com

I assume you live in the UK, I should be over in Dagenham (London) for the Christmas break (16th to 29th Dec)

@ Siena; it doesn’t appear Funk stein ever did his road trip, nor komekn who started a similar tread. (https://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-23624.0.html). It appears you are interested in driving down, I’m thinking of doing another drive down with okada along the Western Sahara route to Nigeria come Nov/Dec 2012…In šā Allāh. let me know if you'll like to join.

@ DECOtech: I do know of Nigerians who did the trip in 2008 from Nigeria to London. I plan to do the trip the other way round (Nigeria to London) one day, in a PAN 504, for which I’m searching for one in Nigeria at the moment, which I hope is still in fairly good condition.…. keep in touch, we might do it together when the time comes.

@ Komekn; how far ?? I only just discovered Nairaland recently, I know it’s an old posting, but I hope you haven’t given up on making your dream a reality. It’s very possible; it just needs planning due to all the paper work (visas, correct vehicle documents, yellow card) involved. The other stuff like what vehicle, food and accommodate is pretty straight forward considering you plan to do the Western Sahara route.

It doesn’t necessary have to be done in a 4x4 or SUV, what’s important is you understand and trust your vehicle. I and a female co-pilot did it in a common 16 year old Peugeot 505 saloon, in Dec 2004 along the Western Sahara route, it was our first road trip, for which in hindsight we actually over-prepared. It ended up being more than just a holiday or vacation; it was a life time experience…wonderful !!!
[Western Sahara (25.Nov – 23.Dec 2004: 29 days) Germany – France – Spain – Morocco – Mauritania – Mali – Burkina Faso – Ghana – Togo – Benin – Nigeria]

Our second road trip was directly across the Sahara desert, was also done in a Peugeot 505, but station wagon, (converted the back into our sleeping quarters). This time we were 6 people and 3 vehicles (two Peugeot 505 and a Jeep Cherokee), it wasn’t easy o without 4 wheel drive, but GREAT FUN !!.
[London/Colonge to Lagos through the Sahara Desert ( 16.Dec.2007 – 10.Jan.2008 : 26 days): England/Germany – Switzerland – Italy – Tunisia – Algeria – Mali – Niger - Burkina Faso – Benin – Nigeria]

I assume Wabada and prinnced were referring to my road trip, if you want more details to assist you planning, feel free.

Although it's an old topic, I only just discovered Nairaland today, hopefully my posting would give you courage that your dream road trip can be done.

@Funk Stein – there is never going to be a perfect time, just hit the road and go. It’s a wonderful life time experience. When you say driving through some of the more civilised West African countries, I hope you did not include Nigeria, sadly in terms of travelling by road, we do not fall into the civilised category.

It’s not necessary that the more the better, I prefer a small group, my first trip, it was just me and a girl friend plus my 505, on the second trip we were 6 plus 3 vehicles.

@Siena – it’s not a massive undertaking, just needs proper planning….and be ready for wahala. (Self imposed wahala can be fun a times)


Vehicle: any vehicle would do it, as long as you don’t go off piste, I did it in a Peugeot 505, once along western Sahara and the second time directly through the Sahara desert, tough but possible.

Competent geographers / navigators: all you need is a road map (Michelin 741 National: Africa North & West) and if you do the desert route a GPS to give you a sense of orientation, to avoid going in circles.

Visa's: this is the part that requires the most planning, your paper work need to be right before you leave, both for you and Vehicle. Border crossing can be a nightmare.

Vaccinations: most countries require certain vaccinations, which they hardly ever control, but just get your yellow card up to date in case they do ask.

Security: Embarrassingly, when searching online for information for my first trip, most people (oyinbos) warned me about Nigeria, advising if possible for security reasons avoid Nigeria, even when your papers are complete, it makes no difference to the police, unknown to them I grow up there, so I thought to myself, if Nigeria is meant to be the worst country along the route in terms of security, then I shouldn’t have any problems. Sadly Nigeria did prove to be the worst. After driving all the way from London to Nigeria, through other African countries without wahala, I don’t even speak French, my Peugeot 505 got impounded by police in my home town Akure, where I went to primary, secondary and university, just because I refused to give bribe at a check point.


Western Sahara (25.Nov – 23.Dec 2004: 29 days) Germany – France – Spain – Morocco – Mauritania – Mali – Burkina Faso – Ghana – Togo – Benin – Nigeria

London/Colonge to Lagos through the Sahara Desert ( 16.Dec.2007 – 10.Jan.2008 : 26 days): England/Germany – Switzerland – Italy – Tunisia – Algeria – Mali – Niger - Burkina Faso – Benin – Nigeria