Sahara or not

Jofang

Jofang

Joined
Dec 1, 2020
Posts
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Brassempouy, south west France
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78,247
MH
Hymer B878 SL
Exp
Since Feb 2020
We are heading south down the coast of Morocco. My wife has expressed interest in seeing the start of the Sahara, but I have great trepidations of finding horrible roads and no filling stations, apart from getting stuck somewhere. Does anyone know how far south it's sensible to go before we need to turn back?
 
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There are filling stations everywhere no matter how remote and the main roads are quite reasonable. We have been down to the Sahara many times - to Merzouga, M’Hamid and even as far as Dakhla. Always had a great time. Just do it and enjoy it.
 
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And what a fab time we had…I was terrified to go to Morocco but need not have worried lol 😝 loved the whole trip with great funster friends but the Sahara was very special indeed ….thank you Steve aka Tonka for reminding us of this great adventure …

John n Kath xx

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As said.. go for it. we were there a few years ago in our RV .. a memorable experience

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My son and I drove to Banjul in Gambia, in 2005, in a car not a MH. There were a lot of MHs in Dakhla, as mentioned by makems. I always hoped to return there.

There was a good tarmac road as far as Nouadhibou in Mauritania. After that it was 3 days across sand dunes and 1 day driving 70 miles along the beach before we rejoined roads in Nouakchott.
 
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Looking on Google earth, it would appear you can get as far as Banjul/Gambia on decent tarmac all the way now.

I'd have thought an evening spent browsing the overland forums, particularly those of the long distance cyclists, would give you a very good idea of what is easily drivable (and therefore cyclable) and what is not.
 
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Just smiffy said:
That’s a beautiful picture Jim @scotjimland…. It looks like it tells a story, reminds me a bit of the film “walkabout “..😎

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The only bit of walkabout that i can remember is Jenny Agutter, and a waterhole.

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For a couple of years in the 80s i was lucky enough to live in Riyadh Saudi Arabia, I was a member of a 4x4 club and regularly did weekend trips out into the desert, had an amazing time, the best trip we did was 6 days and 1000km totaly cross country.

Remember this was in the days before GPS, there was a radio navigation system (loran), but you couldn't rely on it, so real navigation had to be done, luckily one of the group was ex army, who had also been a navigation instructor for the Saudi Militry, so we had good experties.

Deserts are beautiful but also deadly, do not underestimate your situation, always make sure you have plenty of supplies especially water, dont go too far of the beaten track and idealy make sure somebody knows your plans.
 
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We went last year, climbed to the top of the largest sand dune, to find loads of kids at the top trying to sell you sand in a little glass bottle!

Hard climb up but running down in the soft sand was worth it.
 
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I would suggest looking at itchy boots channel on YouTube she is riding a motorcycle through Africa down the west coast starting in Morocco and is currently in Cameroon if you follow her from Morocco downwards you should get an idea of road conditions, be aware she has been travelling in many different countries for many years so you need to watch the current season.

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ChrisL said:
I would suggest looking at itchy boots channel on YouTube she is riding a motorcycle through Africa down the west coast starting in Morocco and is currently in Cameroon if you follow her from Morocco downwards you should get an idea of road conditions, be aware she has been travelling in many different countries for many years so you need to watch the current season.
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Chris she does vast majority of her miles offthe main road.
But yes one would get an idea.
 
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ChrisL said:
I'm a bit concerned about your bare feet in the desert Bob, have you seen those camel spiders? I kept my boots firmly on my feet after seeing one of those :giggle:
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Haha, many years ago HRH went for a wee, big scream, she had only stepped/peed on a scorpion.
It was a mad dash at night through the dunes to get her to Rashid Hospital. Stayed in hospital 2 nights.
We were back in the desert the next weekend.

I do like looking at Camel toes though.

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bobnick said:
Chris she does vast majority of her miles offthe main road.
But yes one would get an idea.
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That's true, but I find her dealings with officials and locals to be very informative, and will give people an idea of what to expect.
 
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ChrisL said:
That's true, but I find her dealings with officials and locals to be very informative, and will give people an idea of what to expect.
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One of my favorite You Tube watches is Itchy Boots, Noraly.
Seen em all over the years. She has some balls doing what she does by herself.
 
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Brains said:
Looking on Google earth, it would appear you can get as far as Banjul/Gambia on decent tarmac all the way now.
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I would be surprised if that is true, one of the largest minefields in the world is in the Sahara, attached is a photo of us keeping very carefully on the safe route through it in 2010. I believe it is still there. I rode to the Gambia with others, there was a lot of riding on unmetalled roads then, but I’m sure there have been changes since.
In any event there are serious security concerns people should consider before traveling, for example once you get to Western Sahara there is disputed territory plus other issue's with lawlessness. It’s the reason the Dakar rally isn’t held there anymore.
Having said that I know many motorhomes regularly go as far as Dakhia for the water sport, so the op will be fine to go see the start of the Sahara, it rained whilst we were there. :LOL:
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Crazylegs said:
I would be surprised if that is true, one of the largest minefields in the world is in the Sahara, attached is a photo of us keeping very carefully on the safe route through it in 2010. I believe it is still there. I rode to the Gambia with others, there was a lot of riding on unmetalled roads then, but I’m sure there have been changes since.
In any event there are serious security concerns people should consider before traveling, for example once you get to Western Sahara there is disputed territory plus other issue's with lawlessness. It’s the reason the Dakar rally isn’t held there anymore.
Having said that I know many motorhomes regularly go as far as Dakhia for the water sport, so the op will be fine to go see the start of the Sahara, it rained whilst we were there. :LOL:View attachment 852078View attachment 852079
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Those pictures bring back a lot of memories. We really enjoyed our trip.
We flew back, as we sold our car for charity in Banjul.

I had one nasty experience which I will never forget. After a long section in very soft sand our engine water temperature had gone into the red, and when the group of 8 cars stopped on some firm ground, I opened the bonnet to let it cool.

As I leant over the engine, the radiator split and I was caught in a fountain of boiling water and steam, mainly in my face.
I immediately leaned into the car and emptied a bottle of drinking water over my face. A couple of the guys stripped my still steaming tee shirt off me and got me on the ground covered in a towel and started pouring cold water over me. They continued for a long time, and used up most of the group's fresh water.

Our guide got me into his car and drove me to Bedouin village where we planned to stay the night. I had a spray bottle of antiseptic water in my first aid kit and I kept spraying my face.

The next day it was the colour of a tomato and very swollen, and felt like a leather mask. We still had 3 more days until we got to Nouakchott so I just tried to keep it wet. There, I saw a doctor who just said coat it with Calamine Lotion.

About a week later, in Banjul, my skin felt strange and virtually peeled off my face, leaving pristine new skin underneath! My only lasting scar is a small patch under my arm.

I'm forever grateful to the people that helped me.
 
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Go for it just don't get stuck in the soft sand it takes a lot of very hot digging out



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beeza said:
Go for it just don't get stuck in the soft sand it takes a lot of very hot digging out



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I presume you can still get them, but when i was in Saudi i had couple of air jacks, basicaly large rubber cylinder shaped ballons, you just dug out a slot under the vehicle, but the jack underneath, connected it to the exhaust, and it jacked you up even in the softest of sand, allowing you to get something solid under the wheels.
 
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Jofang said:
We are heading south down the coast of Morocco. My wife has expressed interest in seeing the start of the Sahara, but I have great trepidations of finding horrible roads and no filling stations, apart from getting stuck somewhere. Does anyone know how far south it's sensible to go before we need to turn back?
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I had some trepidation when i set off, mainly because i have an unsuspended trailer. The out of date reports i had suggested the roads were narrow. However for political reasons the Moroccan government has had a large road building program. Imagine perfect tarmac, dual carriageway and ideal weather. That's especially true for the first day across the border to Laayoune. That will give you a great taster without going very remote. Later the main problem is roadworks. In a few years the trip to Dakhla will be all done on cruise control. I think the longest gap between stations is something over 100 miles. But when you return you can talk it up a little.Or a lot.
 
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I've been into the Sahara in Morocco itself by motorbike, down the East side but not moho yet. Lots of Morocco has good tarmac, apparently there are lots more security checks in the disputed 'Western Sahara' section, it's fairly safe except you can't get into the Eastern side of it (unless it's changed now?). Mauritania used to be a bit iffy, people used to keep coast side on the main roads. Google the current situation.

Do not drive after dark down there & if you do get vaguely stuck in sand make sure you've got a good tyre compressor. On bikes the difference is unbelievable on sand when you reduce your tyre pressures, from 30psi we would reduce to 12psi. On mohos I'm not sure, look it up. Keep topped up with water & if you need ANYTHING in Africa, just ask, they're usually very helpful & are very practical/innovative! Have fun 👍😅
 
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