MOTORCYCLE-TOURS · AFRICA
Motorcycle Expedition from Marrakech to Dakar
A unique legendary motorcycle journey, designed as an alternative to the historical course of the legendary Paris-Dakar Rally for all those who only have 16 days! The off-road tour will take you along large stretches of the original route of the rally from Paris to Dakar to Lac Rose.
The Journey
Paris Dakar Motorcycle: Expedition from Marrakech
You fly from Germany to Morocco. In Marrakech, the motorcycles and off-road vehicles (if you want us to transport your off-road vehicle from us to the start) are waiting for you and off you go. After crossing the Atlas Mountains, we head into the desert, and we will be traveling off-road on long stretches into the Western Sahara. Along the wild Atlantic coast, we will head to Mauritania. In Mauritania, things will get really intense, and we will rarely see asphalt. The goal is to reach Dakar, the capital of Senegal, on the 14th day, which is a thriving metropolis in West Africa. The journey ahead of you is designated as an expedition with us and should also be understood as an expedition! For safety reasons, we will not drive all sections of the original Paris Dakar stage on this expedition and will only have leaded gasoline on board! Expedition means that we explore the route, which we have had in the program since 2015, anew every year, so the above travel description should only be understood as a rough guideline for off-road and road stages! This expedition is one of the last stages that are still accessible in and through the Sahara for off-road drivers and enduro riders, so let's start today before it’s too late tomorrow.
Key Highlights of the Trip
Key Highlights of the Trip
Arrival in Morocco
After you land in Marrakech, you will be picked up at the airport and receive your motorcycles. You can spend the rest of the day in the alleys of Marrakech, packing your motorcycles and preparing for the upcoming tour.
Meeting in Asni and crossing the Tizi n'Test
We meet the participants of the Legendary Paris 2 Dakar in Asni at the foot of Jbel Toubkal, the highest mountain in North Africa. Together we continue to the summit pass of Tizi n'Test. Even though it's not too many kilometers, it takes almost a day until we are on the other side in Taroudant. On the single-lane road, everything from donkeys to 40-ton trucks can come towards you.
African culture and wonderful riding fun with the motorcycle
It goes through a beautiful valley full of almond trees towards Tafraoute. The road winds continuously along the valley wall, making the motorcyclist's heart race. The first dromedaries will be visible and slowly the desert begins. Upon arriving in Tafraoute, we can stock up on supplies for the next few days and admire the gigantic monoliths, which look as if they were created by human hands.
Day 4 and 5: Through the Sahara to Smara
The first major off-road stage lies ahead of us. We will drive for two days through the western foothills of the great Sahara towards the desert city of Smara. On the way lies the disputed border between Morocco and the former colony of the 'Spanish Sahara' beyond which there are only limited refueling options with leaded gasoline. You can still feel this today in the mentality of the residents and the language. While French is very common in Morocco, you suddenly get by better with Spanish here.
To the Metropolis of Western Sahara
It goes along a dusty track by the Saguia el Hamra River, which has water for most of the year. The daily destination El Aaiún is not far away, and there is time in the afternoon to stretch one's legs or take a bath in the sea.
Day 7 and 8: Sahara, Sahara and Sahara
For two days, we travel about 500 km on the N1 to Dakhla. To our right is the blue Atlantic Ocean and to our left stretches the endless expanses of the Sahara. We will have time to stop repeatedly at the beautiful coast and drive off-road along sections of the beach. Optionally, we can also speed up and chill at the beach of the surfer town Dakhla.
Off to the Unknown
While Morocco is known to everyone, Mauritania is rather unknown despite its size. From Dakhla we drive to the border and cross the no man's land. Then we will spend the rest of the day dealing with entering Mauritania. There it is said: Europeans may have invented the clock but we invented time. We will set up our campsite after the border in the idyll of the dunes.
Questions about the tour itinerary?
Our tour guide is happy to answer any questions about the day-by-day route, stops, and details.
Day 10 and 11: The oasis Atar as a destination
We follow the route of the iron ore train off-road to Atar. The route is challenging, and we will need two days to reach the oasis. Atar was once an important city in the high culture of the Moors, who are the namesakes for the country.
Out of the desert - off to Dakar
We are going back to the sea and will be traveling half on-road and half off-road in the Sahara one last time before the Sahel zone begins. We will overnight at the beach and anyone who has just a thread will be successful at fishing. The sea in front of Mauritania is considered one of the most fish-rich in the world.
On the beach
Before the road was built in 2006, the official way to Nouakchott was along the beach. Due to the tides, it is smooth and one still makes better progress than on the road. Our daily goal is the capital Nouakchott, where half of the Mauritanian population lives.
Over the Senegal (River)
Anyone who doesn't know Fech Fech will get to know it today (a very fine powder that often forms in deserts through deflation). We travel on pistes covered with it to the border of Senegal along the Senegal River. There are trees along the road again and noticeably more animals. Our route takes us through a bird sanctuary national park where our European birds winter. The day's destination is Saint-Louis. The city is on an island in the delta of the Senegal River and has a very beautiful colonial town center.
Finish line in Dakar
We set off from Saint-Louis in the morning and will arrive in Dakar around noon. Like the Paris Dakar, our journey ends at the shore of Lake Rose, the pink salt lake on the outskirts of Dakar. We spend the last evening together and celebrate our arrival over a good meal.
Journey Home
Today is unfortunately the official end of our dusty and sandy expedition. After we have handed over the motorcycles to customs for shipping, we will get on the plane freshly showered and freed from sand and dust and begin our journey home. If anyone still has enough time but wants more, they can join us to explore Senegal and Gambia on motorcycle for a few more days.
Want a detailed description of all tour days?
Our expert will walk you through the full itinerary and answer all your questions.
from
Price Options
Additional Options
Trip includes
- German-speaking tour guide from OVERCROSS
- All accommodations (hotel and camping) as advertised
- Support vehicle for the expedition trip
- Technical assistance and support for vehicle repair
- Driving and off-road instruction
- Provision of tools and equipment
- Securing the logistics of spare parts
- Expedition kitchen and dishes during the expedition
- All ferry passages for passengers and motorcycles to Africa
- All entrance fees for sightseeing
- Toll fees
- Breakfast and dinner
- GPS tracking for relatives
- Travel security certificate (insolvency protection according to BGB §651r) is mandatory for all OVERCROSS trips.
-
All participants will receive several pieces of information about the motorcycle expedition after booking, which is divided by topics and "Timeline" to the start of the motorcycle tour.
-
OVERCROSS organizes the motorcycle transport in a 40-foot container from Dakar to Tübingen.
-
Officially, a yellow fever vaccination is required for entry into Senegal IF you are coming from a yellow fever area. UNOFFICIALLY, it is that you need the vaccination when entering the country!
-
Heidenau K61 or Ranger is the tire that has proven itself in the last 10 years.
-
Terms and Conditions of OVERCROSS
Similar Adventures
Featured
Featured
Send request
How did you
hear about us?
