The only picture of Western Sahara in most travellers’ minds is one endless straight road, caught between the Atlantic on the one side and flat, deserted stone-sand landscape on the other. But to the dilligent desert expeditionist, this country offers much more than just monotone views from the coastal road.
TERM
November – April
DURATION
min. 7 days (fly in)
STYLE
We have room for up to 6 passengers in our vehicles. Only personal equipment needed.
Participation is also possible with your own vehicle (4×4 adequately prepared!). The total number of vehicles is up to three.
PLAN
Rough plan: In a small fishing town Boujoudur we leave the Atlantic coast road and head towards the East, to the desert. Our aim for the first two days is the vast sand sea Ifrafir, but before we arrive there, we drive past picturesque dry salt lakes (sebhas), wells and oases, where we greet the locals and resupply our fridges with fresh vegetables. After some 4×4 dune driving in the large sandbox of Ifrafir we ride the Paris-Dakar piste from the days of the rally’s highest fame. Hundred kilometers to the south, we leave the racing track and follow the setting sun, reaching the true desert spa the same evening. We continue to the West and South towards the southernmost city in Western Sahara, Dakhla. The city lies on a spectacular 40 km long peninsuela embracing the picturesque bay with a lagoon and sand dunes all around. We stop here for a day or two (or three, according to your wishes) and explore the area, maybe visit the local hamam bath or taste the original Saharawi cuisine. It is possible also to rent a surf or a kite. With those who opt for a trip lasting two weeks or longer we continue towards the South, crossing the Tropic of Cancer and again turn to the East, into the true desert. On the way we meet Saharawi nomads in their mobile homes. In the southeasternmost part of our trip we drive between striking black mountains rising up from the sandy landscape, climbing atop of some, and discover ancient paintings on the stones. Further on we follow the desert highway, which leads us back North. We pass by temporary nomad settlements, isolated wells, dunes and the steep edges of the large salt plains. We finish the tour in Laayoune, the capital of Western Sahara.