The Wonders of Coastal Sahara

Day 1: Marrakech or Agadir – Tan-Tan
Arrival at one of these cities, Marrakech or Agadir, to join your accommodation in a desert area near Tan-Tan where the Hors Circuit organizing team and other participants await you. The first briefing will be followed by a welcome dinner.

Day 2: Tan-Tan – Gueltas of Khaoui Nam
There is no lack of natural curiosities along the Atlantic coast as far as the town of Akhfenir: panoramic cliffs, sandy mouths, salt marshes, abyss…
You then take your first tracks in impressive and exotic mineral and semi-desert landscapes to discover the new waterfalls of Khaoui Nam.
First light sand seeding likely to approach an area of beautiful ochre dunes where you will establish a wild bivouac under the stars.

Day 3: Gueltas of Khaoui Nam-Depression of Tah (Sebkha Tah)
Back on the tarmac road to continue the National Highway No. 1 to the south. Lovers of wide-open spaces and wild fauna will particularly appreciate the fisherman’s boat ride on the Naïla lagoon.
A new stretch of track will require all your attention before being able to admire the incredible colorful cliffs of the Tah depression, the bottom of which descends to less than 50 meters below sea level.
On the edge of another depression, smaller but stranger, you will be welcomed at Le Camp Bédouin campsite, established in the middle of nature on the side of the Amgriou dunes plateau. Taste their famous dromedary tagine with dates and sesame seeds which makes its reputation in addition to the semi-desert landscape that surrounds it.

Day 4: Camp Bedouin
A free day with a wide range of activities is proposed to you at Bedouin Camp: driving through the labyrinth of dunes, hiking in the bottom or on the edges of the sebkha Oum Dba, dipping at the waterfall or in the panoramic bath, the discovery of the saltworks or simply lazing around!
A Berber tasting dinner has been included in your package, to recharge your batteries and prepare you for the rest of the trip!

Day 5: Dakhla peninsula
A long road along the coast must lead you quickly to Dakhla, the capital of kite-surfing, to carry out your supplies but also to take advantage of the curiosities of the peninsula: fishing village, hot spring, wild shore…

Day 6: The magic of the White Dune
It is still by tracks that can be crossed by ordinary vehicles that you will reach the rather incredible site of the Dune Blanche, at the end of the bay of Dakhla. A perfect crescent of sand lazily spread out on the water’s edge and inviting to meditation.
The ideal is then to reduce as much as possible the distance still separating you from the border with Mauritania. A wild bivouac is planned in a beautiful natural setting, at the bottom of a depression.

Day 7: Mauritanian border
Arm yourself with patience and humor, rely on the forwarding agent appointed for this purpose, immerse yourself in a good book… Passing the Moroccan and Mauritanian checkpoints is proving to be a real nightmare, so today we’re going to set ourselves just that one objective!
As soon as you cross this no man’s land, nature takes back its rights and offers you beautiful isolated dunes and curious phenomena of erosion until you approach the main city of the north of Mauritania, Nouadhibou.
Camping organized on the edge of the bay of Lévrier and a good dinner to be shared between participants to narrate the adventures of the day!

Day 8: Nouadhibou
For those who are interested, we have planned in the morning to meet underprivileged children at the AEPN (Association of Children Needing Parents) center, the main beneficiary of the humanitarian program of this road trip.
During the afternoon, a garbage collection will be organized to sensitize and train a group of young people from the neighborhood to be ecologically aware.
In the evening, AEPN teachers will welcome you to their homes for a typical meal shared with them and in small groups.

Day 9: Crossing the desert
You will have refueled in advance: diesel, food, drinks… Because you will experience a real raid within your road trip, that is to say, four days and three nights of immersion in the Mauritanian coastal desert.
Although it is possible to make this trip in total autonomy (two vehicles in pairs at least), many of you will probably prefer to benefit from the services of our Mauritanian guide. Some passages require not only resourcefulness in terms of orientation but also mutual help in case of bogging down. No doubt that you will get your money’s worth in terms of piloting and immersion in the wilderness …
A first wild bivouac will be set up at the foot of a long dune, with several optional activities offered to give you an even better taste of life in the desert.

Day 10: Boat trip to the bird islands
A full-day sailing excursion is on the menu for this day, to take a breath of fresh air and observe the poultry fauna off the coast.
There will also be driving in the desert area on the program, to reach another nice place of wild bivouac in the park of the Banc d’Arguin.
On the culinary level, it is a buffet that we will share all with the products brought back by each one of his villages!

Day 11: Beach cruising
Once you cross the strip of soft sand that leads to the long beach, it will be nothing but happiness. Clouds of birds flee as you approach, ocean waves come to lick your tires, fishermen busy stitching their nets greet you as you pass by.
The wild camp will be set up in cords of dunes bordering the Atlantic. You will even be exempted from cooking since Hafida will prepare you a mega couscous.

Day 12: Nouakchott
The tide schedules will dictate the progress of this day. We will still enjoy the seaside and the dune massifs.
It will certainly be a relief to finally get fuel at the first stations in Nouakchott. And to treat ourselves to a good hot shower at the campsite on the beach right next to the fishing port.
For those who are on their way back, a fish buffet will mark the end of this beautiful journey of solidarity.

Day 13: Sale of vehicles intended to finance the AEPN
For the other participants who have chosen to sell their car or van in favor of our charity, half of the day will be devoted to negotiating the price with the buyer and to stowing the luggage. You will have time left over to, for example, witness the colorful return of the fishermen. Same accommodation.

Day 14: The border with Senegal
You will have to leave early to swallow the kilometers separating you from the Senegalese border, the last piece being particularly hard on the mechanics. But the landscapes are very pleasant and exotic.
Another half-day of administrative difficulties at the Senegalese customs where the sold vehicles will be left. The rest of the stage is done by bus to the Zebrabar campsite located at the entrance of the Langue of Barbarie National Park, right next to the city of Saint Louis. Closing party.

DATES
2020: from 21/11 to 06/12
2021: from 20/11 to 05/12
2022: from 19/11 to 04/12

PRICES
From 995 € / Pers.

INCLUDED IN THE PRICE:
– All the guidance
– Accommodation: camping or wilderness bivouacs
– Certain meals judged useful to foster team spirit within the group of participants and to facilitate grouping at certain points considered strategic or of general interest.
– Activities
Options exist for the provision of bivouac equipment and meals during the raid.

NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE
– Financing your vehicle and equipment
– Journeys (fuel, tolls, ferry, air tickets)
– The cost of accommodation other than campsites or planned wilderness bivouacs
– Food and drink expenses other than those included in the standard package
– Possible rental of camping equipment
– The Mauritanian visa and the local car liability insurances
– The possible taxi for your transfer from the Zebrabar campsite to Dakar airport

This tour is non-contractual and given as an indication (for more details and all useful information, please contact the agency).