Paris-Dakar Motorcycle Expedition

On the way to the Paris Dakar motorcycle rally

The start of the journey is of course in Paris. From there we always head south. In just a few days we will drive to Gibraltar and then cross over to Africa. Through the northern green Morocco we drive to the Atlas mountains. After the crossing of the Atlas it goes into the desert and we will move on large route sections Off Road into the Western Sahara. Along the wild Atlantic coast we go to Mauritania. In Mauritania it will really get down to business and we will rarely see asphalt - and if only to make kilometres.

The goal is to reach Dakar, the capital of Senegal, which is a thriving metropolis in West Africa.

If you still feel like more adventure, you can join us on the following tour through Senegal and Gambia.

Itinerary of this motorcycle tour: Paris-Dakar

Day 1: Meeting at the Place Jacques Rueff in front of the Eiffel Tower

On the first travel day we meet with our motorcycles in the morning in front of the Eifel Tower in Paris. The official start will be there. Of course you have the possibility to join the guide from Germany and already arrive as a group in Paris. After a short introduction and a few instructions we will start. The day's destination is the highest dune in Europe, the Dune du Pilat near Bordeaux in Arcachon.

Motorcycle tour in Morocco with Overcross

Day 2: On the motorcycles and off to Spain

After having seen the Atlantic Ocean for the first time on our journey, we will encounter it again being much warmer thousands of kilometres further south. Crossing the foothills of the Pyrenees we enter Spain. After a short pass drive we cross the Ibirian Meseta plateau to Burgos, our destination of the day.

Days 3 & 4: Across the Siera de Gredos to Sevilla

You wouldn't recognize that you are in spain if you wouldn't know it. The north of Spain is sparsely populated and the vastness of the landscape and the surroundings are reminiscent of pictures that are known from motorcycle tours in America. It is necessary to make kilometres in order to reach the goal of the 4th day early and have a few hours left for the beautiful town of Sevilla.

City in northern Morocco

Day 5: The first kilometres in Morocco

In the morning we leave and cover the last kilometres to the ferry port in Gibraltar. After we have crossed over we have to declare our motorcycles before we can move on to African soil for the first time. As it usually takes a while, we will set up camp for the night shortly behind the port of Tangier Med.

Paris-Dakar with OVERCROSS Tour Operator

Day 6: Moroccan Roads and the Cascad de Ouzoud

Along the coast we continue to Rabat and then over small roads to the Atlas mountains. The traffic needs getting used to and motorcycling costs a lot of concentration. We will comfortably work our way through the foothills of the Atlas towards Ouzoud. The first pass roads are already waiting for us.

Day 7: Rest, fix the motorcycles and enjoy Morocco

On the seventh day though shall rest and that is exactly what we do. It is time to hike in the beautiful landscape around Ouzoud, visiting the 120 m high waterfalls. Or if you need the energy for the rides coming you can take care of your motorbike. After all, we already have about 2500 km behind us.

Not everything is dust in this motorbike tour, as many people may think!

Day 8: Meeting in Assni and crossing the Tizi n´Test

In Assni at the foot of the Jebel Toubkal the highest mountain in North Africa, we will drive together to the pass summit of the Tizi n´Test. Even if it is not too many kilometres, it takes almost a day until we are on the other side with our motorcycles in Taroudant. On the single-lane road everything from donkeys to 40 ton trucks could come towards us.

The majestic Tizi n`Test

Day 9: African culture and wonderful riding fun with the motorcycle

Driving onwards through a beautiful valley full of almond trees towards Tafraoute. The road meanders along the valley wall and makes the motorcyclist's heart beat faster. The first dromedaries will be visible and slowly the desert begins. Arrived in Tafraoute we can stock up with provisions for the next days and admire the gigantic monoliths which look as if they were built by human hands.

Days 10 & 11: Through the Sahara to Smara

The first major off-road stage is ahead of us. Through the western foothills of the big Sahara we will drive for 2 days in the direction of the desert city Smara. On the way there is the controversial border between Morocco and the former Spanish Sahara. This is obvious to ones eye until today in the mentality of the inhabitants and the language. While in Morocco French is very common, you can now suddenly get on with Spanish.

Motorcycle tour in Africa with Overcross 

Day 12: To the Metropolis of the West Sahara

Continuing on a dusty track always along the Seguiet el Hamra, which also carries water most of the time of the year. Todays destination El Aaiún is not far away and there is time to rest your bike a bit, stretch your legs or take a dip in the sea.

Days 13 & 14: Sahara, Sahara and Sahara

For two days we continue on the N1 for approx. 500 km to Dakhla. To our right is the blue Atlantic and to our left the endless expanse of the Sahara. We will have time to stop again and again at the beautiful coast or to drive parts of the beach along Off Road. Optionally we could drive faster on tarmac and have a rest day in the surfer city Dakhla.

Day 15: 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 entering Mauritania. Here they remind you of the fact that the Europeans have perhaps invented the clock but Africans the time. After the border we make camp for the night in the idyll of the dunes.

Enduro fun in the Sahara Desert!

Days 16 & 17: The oasis Atar as destination

We follow the route of the iron ore train Off Road to Atar. The route is very difficult and it will take us two days to reach the oasis. Atar was once an important city in the high culture of the Moors who are the original name givers of the country.

Day 18: Out of the desert to Dakar

We drive back to the sea and will be half on and half off road in the Sahara for the last time before the Sahel Zone begins. We will spend the night at the beach and even if you only have one thread to fish you should be succesfull. The sea off Mauritania is considered to be one of the richest in fish in the world.

Day 19: On the Beach

Before the road was built in 2006, the official way to Nuakchott was along the beach. Due to the tides, the sand is smooth and you can still make better progress than on the actual road. We take advantage of this and continue our motorcycle trip on this route. Our destination for the day is the capital Nuakchott where half of the Mauritanian population lives.

Day 20: Across the Senegal River

Whoever does not know "Fech Fech yet will get to know today. On covered pistes we drive to the border of Senegal at the Senegal river. There are trees again along the road and more animals. Our road leads us through a bird protected national park in which our European birds spend the winter. The destination of the day is Saint-Louis. The city is located on an island in the delta of the Senegal River and has a very beautiful colonial core.

Boats coloured in multiple colours on the senegal river

Day 21: Finish in Dakar

From Saint-Louis we leave in the morning and will reach Dakar at noon. Like the Paris Dakar our journey ends at the shore of Lac Rose, the pink salt lake on the outskirts of Dakar. The last evening we will spend together and celebrate our arrival with good food. The next day is the official end after we have delivered the motorcycles at the customs for shipment.

Fancy more adventure and still have more time?

This is the 7-day tour through Senegal and Gambia:

Vom Atlantik in den Dschungel (GERMAN)