This sure beats driving down the M25… Atlantic rollers on your right, sand-dunes of the Sahara on the left!

In Morocco, we drive some of the routes of the early Dakars. Into Mauritania, we are now in the most empty and least populated country in the whole of Africa. It’s vast – bigger than France and Spain put together, the total population is less than Bristol. Enthusiastic children will cheer you on your way but don’t expect big crowds – this country has never seen a crowd. We camp for two nights out in the Sahara, the stars are so vividly clear you could pluck them, and meteorites and even satellites can be seen clearly through tired eyes.

It’s man and machine up against the elements – we are not seeking out in-land routes with giant sand-dunes as “stoppers” – it’s just practical for a well-prepared two-wheel drive Historic car driven with care and determination, but will be an enormous and memorable challenge.

This will appeal to those who can swap the rut of normal living for the ruts of the greatest wilderness on earth, and join in the camaraderie of taking on a marathon drive with other like-minded enthusiasts.

The route will include a number of difficult roads, and good ground clearance (you can never have enough of that commodity), and careful preparation will be essential ingredients for success.

Entrants should accept that this is not intended as a gentle tour and cannot be without risks, careful research of the countries and the route is strongly advised (some of the backpackers paperback books, such as the Lonely Planet book of Mauritania, make for interesting background reading).
 

Route Day-by-Day Take a look at the day-by-day route outline for the 2005 London to Dakar rally.       more