Mali


Crossing over into Mali, the rally changes worlds. The contrast between the desert stretches and the tracks through the heart of forests is striking for crews, consequently confronted with totally different driving conditions. Going through the villages of west Africa also gives a new dimension to the journey.


STAGE 10: KIFFA > KAYES - Tuesday, January 10th, 2006

Liaison: 1 km - Special: 283 km - Liaison: 49 km
Total: 333 km

Brushland entrance to Mali. The vegetation thickens. Among baobabs, the narrow, furrowed dirt track winds its way through the savanah. This fast special favours driving, riding and sliding over the first laterite sections. Despite the tricky shotts which line the course, this will be a transition day before the challenges of Black Africa.



STAGE 11: KAYES > BAMAKO - Wednesday, January 11th, 2006

Liaison: 50 km - Special: 231 km - Liaison: 424 km
Total: 705 km

Although care has been taken for the course to avoid the wildlife reserve of Badinko and the biosphere reserve of the Baoulé loop, the caravan progresses through a sumptuous setting, with a continuous sequence of forests and savanahs. As the tracks are narrow, extreme care is recommended in the eventuality of any navigational error requiring a u-turn.