Wonders of the Coastal Sahara
An extraordinary road trip between the Atlantic Ocean and Saharan sands, from Tan-Tan to Nouakchott.
Duration
15 days
From
€995/pers.
Ideal seasons
Jan, Feb, Mar, Oct, Nov, Dec
Style
Self-drive tour
Comfort
rustique
Travelers
Couple, Solo, With friends
The spirit of travel
This self-drive road trip allows you to cross the Coastal Sahara on both the Moroccan and Mauritanian sides. We drive our vehicle in pairs along a long road following a north-south axis, connecting Tan-Tan south of Agadir (Maroc) to Nouakchott (Mauritania) or Dakar (Sénégal). Numerous detours allow the discovery of the most beautiful sites in the Sahara via tracks passable for ordinary vehicles: gueltasof Khaoui Nam, Amgriou barkhane desert, White Dune, Banc d'Arguin desert and beach.
We have the possibility of undertaking this raid with our own vehicle (4x2 or 4x4), with a second-hand vehicle purchased at low cost for this purpose with a view to being resold for the benefit of a humanitarian cause, with a rental vehicle without driver or even aboard a rental vehicle with driver.
Several optional facets are offered to us to enrich our journey: humanitarian, ecology, gastronomy, meetings with locals, playful challenge.
The stages of your journey
Highlights
Day-by-day itinerary
Ksar Tafnidilt, gateway to the Moroccan Sahara
Meal: welcome dinner included
Wild camping near the old fort in the oasis, under the palm trees. We can observe camels drinking there.
Departing from Marrakech, crossing the western High Atlas to Agadir via the new highway offering impressive panoramic views.
We have the opportunity to do last-minute shopping at one of Agadir's supermarkets or stretch our legs on its immense sandy beach.
The road continues south via the fortified town of Tiznit then the garrison town of Guelmim famous for its dromedary souk.
The day's objective is to gather and meet the organizing team at Ksar Tafnidilt, for the first of the daily briefing aperitives.
We are already in desert zone and at the gates of the Moroccan coastal Sahara. Right next to it, the old Foreign Legion fort offers beautiful views over the marshy valley crossed by the Drâa as well as sandy hills.
Depression and Khaoui Nam Canyon
Akhfennir → Khaoui Nam
The continuation on national road n°1 is full of interest and passes through several sites deserving a photo break: sandy river mouths, a natural sinkhole, cliffs…
We gather at Akhfenir before heading onto good tracks in the desert depression of Khaoui Nam. The adventure begins!
The wind, sand and salty water have sculpted here breathtaking panoramas, which are also very varied. The Khaoui Nam gorge will be the pinnacle of this stage and one of the highlights of the journey.
Will we manage to climb the final stony slope to reach the plateau of ochre-coloured dunes where our camp will be set up? By helping each other, yes certainly...
Meals at bivouac by ourselves or with supplement by the organization, otherwise half-board at our solid accommodation.
Accommodation in wild bivouac by ourselves or with supplement if by the organization; possibility of staying in a comfortable hotel at our own expense nearby, at Akhfenir.
Sebkha of Tah
Khaoui Nam → Camp Bedouin
This day will be no less impressive than the previous one with the discovery of other famous sites of the Moroccan Sahara.
Thus the Naïla lagoon, surrounded by dunes and where it is possible (if you're not too particular about safety) to enjoy a nice boat ride in a fisherman's motorboat.
Then the sleepy town of Tarfaya with its beach from where you can admire the old British trading post in the waters or for enthusiasts the Saint Exupéry photo museum.
Next a stretch of passable track will take us to discover the spectacular cliffs of the vast Tah depression.
Finally it is on the edge of the strange Sebkha Oum Dba that the Bedouin Camp team welcomes us for tonight's stop.
Meals: provided in the package at the Bedouin Camp, including their famous camel tagine with dates
Accommodation: camping at Bedouin Camp with shared facilities; possibility to stay at your own expense in a more comfortable rigid khayma on the same grounds
Day of Rest at the Bedouin Camp
Those of us who came from Europe by road will certainly appreciate this day of rest in the heart of the desert.
The others will be able to take advantage of the wide choice of hiking trails of all durations and highly disorienting departing from the Camp Bédouin.
We are moreover recommended to take the only practical track for ordinary vehicles leading to the nearby dune plateau.
There is also the possibility to discover the salt flats in the northern part of the sebkha Oum Dba, not far from the Camp.
Meals: Berber tasting meal included in your package.
Accommodation: camping at Camp Bédouin with shared facilities; possibility to stay at your own expense in a more comfortable rigid khaïma on the same site
Route for Dakhla
Long day of driving towards the Dakhla peninsula, via the towns of Laâyoune and Boujdour. Our roadbook fortunately includes a good number of points of interest that are all good reasons to take a break along the way: mainly viewpoints from the jagged cliff coastline.
The goal is also to reach Dakhla as early as possible to restock but especially to enjoy the attractions of the place: let's admire the exploits of kite surfers, explore the tip of the peninsula with its fishing village, travel along the wild northern coast, etc.
Meals at camping by ourselves or with supplement by the organization, otherwise half-board at our fixed accommodation; our organizing team rather suggests to us, at our own expense, a good meal in one of the best restaurants in the city with a view over the bay.
Accommodation: camping by ourselves or with supplement if by the organization; possibility of staying with supplement nearby in a comfortable hotel in Dakhla
White Dune Excursion
Access by track makes the arrival at and discovery of the famous White Dune even more extraordinary, an incongruous curiosity at the end of the bay. Let us hurry to see it before the site is despoiled by real estate projects.
We should spend the afternoon making as much progress as possible towards the Mauritanian border so as to tackle the next day of border crossing under optimal conditions. Our organizer therefore advises us to cover some three hundred kilometers and set up a wild camp in a captivating natural space.
The other option is to continue enjoying Dakhla and its comfort and then take the road to Mauritania very early the next day.
Meals at camp by us or with supplement by the organization, otherwise half-board at our solid accommodation in Dakhla
Accommodation: wild camp by us or with supplement if by the organization; possibility of lodging with supplement in comfortable hotel in Dakhla
Morocco - Mauritania Border Crossing
This is undoubtedly the most trying stage since it involves crossing the Morocco – Mauritania border and overcoming the various administrative formalities. The presence of a customs broker to guide us and help us carry out the procedures in the correct order will not diminish the need to show unwavering patience!
Once the last barrier is crossed, we will certainly appreciate the erosion phenomena along the roadside, the views of the light-colored sand dunes, the landscapes over Levrier Bay, which will entertain us until we reach the city of Nouadhibou.
Meal: after this grueling day, sit down at the table for this group meal provided at the accommodation
Accommodation: by the bay, camping organized by us or with a supplement through the tour operator, otherwise half board at our fixed accommodation
Humanitarian, Social and Ecological Day in Nouadhibou
Very little driving during this day: we stay in Nouadhibou!
The organizing team offers us a full program combining humanitarian work, ecology and meetings with local residents:
Meeting with children from the school center managed by the Association of Children of Needy Parents to which your possible donations will go,
Lunch with the children,
Afternoon with young people to raise awareness about garbage collection.
Meals: dinner at a local resident's home with teachers from the Association, included in our package
Accommodation: Same as the previous day.
Desert Crossing to Banc d'Arguin and Night in the Desert
A few more hours of driving will still be necessary to reach the access point to the Banc d'Arguin Reserve. Then we will leave the tarmac for four consecutive days of driving on tracks and off-road in the desert.
Although it is possible to complete the journey individually with the roadbook and a GPS, our organizer invites us to form a loose convoy and benefit from the services of a local guide, so as to drive with complete peace of mind. Sand traps are guaranteed, but never severe and solidarity will work to the full. The off-road vehicles of our organizing team are never very far away anyway…
The wild camp will be established in the middle of the desert, at the foot of a dune.
Meals: at camp by ourselves or with a supplement from the organization, otherwise half-board at our solid accommodation
Accommodation: wild camp by ourselves or with a supplement if by the organization; possibility of staying with a supplement in a simple camp located one hour's drive away in Iouik
Boat excursion to the Iouik islands
Early departure to reach the fishing hamlet of Iouik where we will board sailing boats for the day with fishermen from the Imraguen tribe. Destination: the bird islands!
Depending on the time, we return to the previous day's bivouac site or ideally to another natural site further away.
Meals: at bivouac, each participant is invited to contribute to a vast buffet of local produce brought by everyone
Accommodation: wild bivouac arranged by us or with a supplement if by the organization; possibility of staying with a supplement at the same simple campsite as the previous day
Crossing the Banc d'Arguin by the Beach
Iouik → Baie de St. Jean
Today we have the most technical stage, the most intense in terms of driving. With deflated tires, we will have to manage to cross the numerous sandy passages and show vigilance in choosing our route.
A barchan dune zone will make a perfect picnic spot, just before reaching Saint Jean Bay.
This is followed by a very pleasant and thrilling drive along the beach for over thirty kilometers.
The wild bivouac will be chosen in the ochre dunes bordering the ocean.
Meals: couscous by Hafida, included in our base package.
Accommodation: no other option than wild bivouac by ourselves or with a supplement if organized by us
Driving on the beach to Nouakchott
Baie de St. Jean → Nouakchott
The day's program will largely depend on the tidal schedule: the journey continues along the beach itself, to our great delight, but one particular passage requires crossing at very low tide.
We then rejoin the national road that will take us to the capital Nouakchott and (finally!) to its fuel stations!
Meals: buffet of shellfish and grilled fish included in our package for what will be a first closing meal for participants who need to head back
Accommodation: camping by the Atlantic at our expense or with a supplement arranged by the organization; possibility of staying with a supplement nearby in a simple guesthouse or in a more comfortable hotel
Negotiation of vehicle sales and return
Return route for participants who came with their own vehicle or a rental vehicle.
For those who came with a rental vehicle with driver, possibility to take the plane at the airport close to Nouakchott.
Regarding all the others who opted for the humanitarian sale of their vehicle, half-day of negotiation and formalities with the local buyer.
We are advised at the end of the day to attend the return of fishing boats on the beach.
Meals: dinner planned by the Organization in an establishment near the campsite
Accommodation: same as the previous day
Senegal Border Crossing and Closing Celebration in Saint Louis
Nouakchott → Saint-Louis
For us who sell our vehicles for the benefit of a humanitarian association, we must leave at dawn heading towards the Senegalese border. Crossing the Saint Louis National Park is particularly colorful, both because of the deplorable state of the road and because of the natural landscapes that unfold before our windows.
A new administrative test awaits us with the crossing of the Mauritania-Senegal border, even if once again we will be assisted by a customs broker. The sold vehicles are left at the border post and a bus takes us to the Saint Louis campsite.
Meals: closing buffet included in our package.
Accommodation: camping on the Atlantic coast at our own expense or with a supplement from the organization; possibility of staying more comfortably with a supplement in the camping's rooms and bungalows
Price per person
Indicative price per person, based on double room. Each trip is customized according to your preferences.
This trip can be tailored to your preferences
This itinerary provides an excellent foundation for discovery, but it can be fully customized. Our local advisors build each trip tailored to your budget, dates and preferences.
Not included
- International flights
- The vehicle
Included
- Meals and accommodations mentioned in the program
Practical Information
Registration is considered firm and final after payment of a deposit of 30% of the total price and acceptance of the specific terms of sale.
The balance must be paid no later than 45 days before the departure date.
See our specific terms of sale for full details.
In the event of cancellation by the traveller, the following fees apply:
- Plus de 60 jours avant le départ : 40 % du prix total (acompte retenu)
- Entre 60 et 30 jours avant le départ : 50 % du prix total
- Moins de 30 jours avant le départ : 100 % du prix total
We strongly recommend taking out cancellation insurance. See our specific terms of sale for full details.
The information below concerns travelers who are nationals of the European Economic Area (EEA), Switzerland and Canada traveling to Morocco for a tourist stay. Entry rules may change, so we recommend verifying this information with the official authorities before your departure.
Passport
To enter Morocco, your passport must be valid for the entire duration of your stay and include at least one blank page for immigration stamps.
The document must be in good condition (no damaged, torn or altered pages).
Nationals of certain EEA countries may enter Morocco with a valid national identity card in accordance with applicable bilateral agreements. However, it is advisable to travel with a valid passport to avoid any inconvenience.
Tourist stay without visa
Nationals of the European Economic Area, Switzerland and Canada benefit from a visa exemption for tourist stays.
This exemption allows a stay of up to 90 days from the date of entry into Moroccan territory. Beyond this period, authorization of stay must be requested from the Moroccan authorities.
The authorities may also request:
an outbound ticket (return or onward flight),
proof of sufficient financial resources for the duration of the stay,
proof of accommodation (hotel booking or invitation from a private individual).
Health and vaccinations
No vaccination is mandatory to enter Morocco from the EEA, Switzerland or Canada. However, it is recommended to ensure that routine vaccinations are up to date (diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis, hepatitis A).
It is advisable to consult a doctor or vaccination center before departure, particularly for stays in rural areas or remote regions.
Traveling with children
Minors must hold their own valid passport covering the duration of the stay.
In certain European countries, when a minor travels without one of their parents, an authorization to leave the territory may be required according to the regulations of the country of residence. The Moroccan authorities may also request documentation in case of travel with a single parent or a third party.
Other nationalities
Entry conditions may vary depending on nationality. Travelers concerned should inquire with the embassy or consulate of Morocco in their country of residence.
To participate in our trips, it is strongly recommended to have evacuation assistance and foreign medical expense coverage.
Your local agency encourages you to review the specific policy developed with our partner CHAPKA ASSURANCES and AXA ASSISTANCE.
To subscribe to an insurance plan, learn about coverage and rates, follow the link below.
Choose the plan that best suits you:
Explorer'Multirisque
Explorer'Annulation
Explorer'Assistance
Explorer' Complémentaire Carte Bancaire
Specific to our trips, we strongly recommend subscribing to them.
If you choose to subscribe to one of these plans, the policy detailing all coverage and claim declaration procedures is available on the insurer's website.
Your local agency will be aware of it, but only the participant is responsible for complying with the claim declaration procedures. The participant must therefore keep this policy with them throughout their trip.
Chapka — Cap Explorer
Our insurance partnerTravel with peace of mind with our partner Chapka. Cancellation, repatriation, medical expenses, baggage… All the coverage for a worry-free trip.
Travel with peace of mind — I'll handle the insuranceFrequently asked questions
You can stay in Morocco without a visa. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after your entry. These conditions have been stable for a long time, but always confirm with the Moroccan consulate or embassy competent for your nationality before booking your trip.
Go to the My Trips section to find all your projects.
You can send a message to your host directly from the Tea Lounge.
For a quality tailor-made trip, expect between €150 and €260 per day and per person, including accommodation (riads, kasbahs), meals, internal transfers and activities. International flights (€200-450 return) are additional. Morocco offers excellent value for money in its charming riads.
Your documents are accessible in the Documents tab of your trip.
Absolutely. We adapt each circuit to your travel profile. For families, we prioritize relaxed paces, family-friendly accommodations, fun and educational activities, and comfortable private transfers. Our local English-speaking guides know how to capture children's attention with age-appropriate anecdotes.
It's simple. You exchange with our local team to define your wishes, budget and dates. You receive a detailed itinerary proposal within 48 hours. You adjust every detail together until you reach the perfect version. You confirm and travel with peace of mind. Your local agency remains available 7 days a week throughout your trip.
In case of emergency, contact your local agency immediately.
Payment is generally made in two installments.
Our agency is part of the Nomadays network, registered in France. You benefit from APST (Association Professionnelle de Solidarité du Tourisme) guarantee which covers 100% of your funds. Secure payment, repatriation insurance included, and English-speaking assistance 24/7 on the ground throughout your stay.
Let's talk about your adventure — Southern Desert
Saharan trails companion, based in Taroudant
What I love about travel is that moment when you leave the obvious path. That's when the landscape shifts, but more importantly, so does your perspective.
— Luc
