MOTORCYCLE-TRIPS · SENEGAL
Paris Dakar motorcycle trip to Dakar (Senegal)
This Paris Dakar motorcycle trip takes you from Paris to Dakar in Senegal over 22 days. Following in the footsteps of the legendary rally, it goes across Spain to North Africa and continues through Morocco, Western Sahara, and Mauritania.
The Journey
Paris Dakar: Motorcycle expedition on rally trails
The start of the motorcycle journey is in Paris. From there, we will ride our own motorcycle or a rental enduro in 22 days towards Dakar in Senegal. We will drive to Gibraltar in just a few days and cross over to Africa. Through the green north of Morocco, we will cross the Atlas Mountains and finally reach the desert. We will travel off-road for large stretches towards Western Sahara. Along the wild Atlantic coast, we will cross the border into Mauritania. In Mauritania, it will be even more challenging for both man and machine. We will rarely see asphalt - if we do, it will only be to cover some kilometers. The route selected by OVERCROSS largely follows the original course of the route. In selecting the waypoints, we paid close attention to the travel enduro aspect to experience the adventure in the trails of the legendary Paris Dakar Rally. The route is both on- and off-road. The connection stages partly follow normal roads to the scenic and driving highlights of the route, which leads off-road far from civilization through rugged gorges and sandy passages along the Atlantic Ocean to Dakar. The goal of the journey is Dakar, the thriving metropolis and capital of Senegal. If you're still craving more adventure, you can join us for the additional tour through Senegal and Gambia. Is your time limited? Or do you only want to ride the African part of the tour? Then you can also book the stage from Marrakech to Dakar separately with us.
Key Highlights of the Trip
Key Highlights of the Trip
Meeting at Place Jacques Rueff in front of the Eiffel Tower - Paris
On the first day of travel, we meet with our motorcycles in the morning in front of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. The official start will be there. Of course, you have the opportunity to join the guide already in Germany and arrive as a group in Paris. After a short introduction and a few instructions, we are off. The day's goal is the highest dune in Europe, the Dune du Pilat, near Bordeaux in Arcachon.
On the motorcycles and off to Spain
After we have seen the Atlantic for the first time on our journey, which will greet us again thousands of kilometers further south in much warmer waters, we head over the foothills of the Pyrenees to Spain. After a small mountain pass, we continue over the Iberian Plateau to Burgos, our destination for the day.
Day 3 & Day 4: on the Road Day: Over the Sierra de Gredos to Seville, the call of Africa
One does not know where one is right now. Northern Spain is sparsely populated and the vastness of the landscape and the surroundings remind one of images known from motorcycle trips in America. It is necessary to cover kilometers so that we can reach the goal of the 4th day early and still have a few hours for beautiful Seville.
Off the Road Day: The first kilometers in Morocco
In the morning we set off and cover the last kilometers to the ferry port in Gibraltar. After we have crossed over, we need to customs clear our motorcycles before we can move onto African soil for the first time. Since it usually takes a while, we will set up our camp just behind the port of Tanger Med.
Africa on the Paris-Dakar Track: Moroccan Roads and the Cascad de Ouzoud
Along the coast to Rabat and then through small roads towards the Atlas Mountains. The traffic takes some getting used to and riding a motorcycle requires a lot of concentration. We will leisurely make our way through the foothills of the Atlas towards Ouzoud. The first mountain passes are already waiting for us.
Like at the Paris_Dakar paddock: on the 7th day you shall rest & tinker with the motorcycle said the bike god
On the seventh day, you shall rest, and that is exactly what we are doing. It is time to hike in the beautiful landscape around Ouzoud, to visit the 120 m high waterfalls, or to maintain your motorcycle. After all, we have already covered about 2500 km.
Direction Dakar: Meeting in Assni and crossing of the Tizi n'Test
In Assni at the foot of Jebel Toubkal, the highest mountain in North Africa, we set off together to the pass of Tizi n'Test. Even though it’s not too many kilometers, it takes almost a day until we reach Taroudant on the other side with our motorcycles. On the single-lane road, everything from donkeys to 40-ton trucks can come your way.
Adventure Day with the Bike: 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 and makes the heart of motorcyclists 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 that look as if they were built by human hands.
Day 10 & Day 11: Enduro and Adventure Day: Through the Sahara to Smara
The first major off-road stage lies ahead of us. For two days we will drive towards the desert city of Smara through the western foothills of the great Sahara. On the way lies the disputed border between Morocco and former Spanish Sahara. This is still noticeable today in the mentality of the inhabitants and the language. While French is very widespread in Morocco, suddenly Spanish is more useful now.
Questions about the tour itinerary?
Our tour guide is happy to answer any questions about the day-by-day route, stops, and details.
Goo West Day: To the Metropolis of Western Sahara
It goes along a dusty track always beside Seguiet el Hamra, which also carries water most of the year. The day's destination El Aaiún is not far away, and there is time to let the motorcycle rest, stretch your legs in the afternoon, or take a bath in the sea.
Day 13 & Day 14: No Man's land Day: Sahara, Sahara and Sahara
For two days, we will travel about 500 km on the N1 to Dakhla. To our right is the blue Atlantic, and to our left stretches the endless expanse of the Sahara. We will have time to make stops along the beautiful coast and drive parts off-road along the beach. Optionally, we can drive faster and take a rest day in the surfer town of Dakhla.
Dakar is calling: On to the unknown
While Morocco is familiar 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 entry into Mauritania. Here it is: Europeans may have invented the clock, but Africans invented time. We will set up our camp after the border in the idyll of the dunes.
Day 16 & Day 17: Desert days in the desert: 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 namesake of the land.
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 spend the night on the beach and whoever has just a thread will already be successful at fishing. The sea off Mauritania is considered one of the richest in fish in the world.
The Legend Dakar: On the Beach
Before the road was built in 2006, the official route to Nouakchott was along the beach. Due to the tides, the surface is smooth and you still make better progress than on the road. We use this and continue our motorcycle journey on this route. Our daily goal is the capital Nouakchott, where half of the Mauritanian population lives.
last border crossing: Over the Senegal River
Whoever does not know Fech Fech yet will get to know him today. On excessively covered slopes, we proceed to the border of Senegal at the Senegal River. There are again trees along the road and noticeably more animals. Our path takes us through a bird protection national park where many of our European birds winter. The day's goal is Saint-Louis. The city is on an island in the delta of the Senegal River and has a very beautiful colonial town center.
Dakar Day: Finish line in Dakar
We set off from Saint-Louis in the morning and will reach Dakar around noon. Like the Paris Dakar, our journey ends at the shore of Lac Rose, the pink salt lake on the outskirts of Dakar. We will spend the last evening together and celebrate our arrival with good food. The next day is the official end of this tour, after we have submitted the motorcycles to customs for export.
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
- Tour guide from OVERCROSS
- All accommodations (hotel and camping)
- Accompanying/support vehicle for the motorcycle trip
- Technical assistance and support for vehicle repair
- Driving and off-road instruction
- Provision of tools and equipment
- Expedition kitchen and utensils during the expedition trip
- All ferry crossings for persons and motorcycles to the start of the Paris Dakar
- All entrance fees for visits
- *Motorcycle transport from Tübingen to the start of the trip
- Toll fees
- Breakfast and dinner
- GPS tracking for relatives
- Travel security certificate (insolvency protection according to BGB §651r) is mandatory for all OVERCROSS trips.
- Transport of the rental machine to the start of the trip
-
OVERCROSS has a container standing for motorcycle transport in Dakar with which we transport all motorcycles to Germany to the OVERCROSS warehouse
-
Yes, we have it for the expedition that every participant can receive from us
-
The transport of your motorcycle in the container is included in the travel price!
-
The luggage is on the motorcycle, we take your "Speedbag" with tent/sleeping bag and sleeping mat in the support vehicle
-
We can organize visa and application for the Carnet de Passage, the price for Carnet/security deposit must be borne by each motorcycle participant themselves
-
NO!
-
the motorcycle expedition Paris Dakar ends in Dakar ;-) Where else?
-
yes if you are an excellent driver! The (among other things) BMW 1250GS has a 19" front wheel, which is not particularly suitable in the sand
-
not for us, but for you! I recommend you: Don't book this tour! 1. enduro training 2. book a Morocco trip with us 3. then a Tunisia enduro trip after that you can ride every dune in the world! everything else ends in the hospital
-
End of the tour is in Dakar/Senegal
Terms and Conditions of OVERCROSS
Similar Adventures
Featured
Featured
Featured
Featured
Send request
How did you
hear about us?
