To anyone who has been in the Mali, Burkina, Niger part of West Africa
lately, can you help with these questions:

1. Is there any moderately comfortable ground transportation between
Bamako and Ouaga, or between Ouaga and Niamey? By 'moderately
comfortable' I mean: not bush taxis, definitely not riding on top of
trucks, and perhaps (dare I even think it?) even with a bit of air
conditioning? I'm thinking perhaps a small bus with moderately
comfortable seats?

2. Does anyone have any information on car rentals in Ouagadougou or
Niamey? Types of cars, prices, possible problems or things to watch out
for?

A bit of background: I lived in Burkina in the late 1970s, but have not
been back since. I don't mind roughing it for travel, but I will be
with an inexperienced traveller who would probably enjoy the trip more
with some modest comfort.

I would like to avoid air travel between the above destinations, in
part so that we can see the country side, but also to avoid the hassle
of airports. But I don't know if there is any (even moderately)
comfortable public ground transportation between Bamako, Ouaga, and
Niamey these days.

Any information would be helpful. Thanks very much.

Alan