WESTERN SAHARA

GENERAL INFORMATION
VIDEO COMPILATION
PHOTO GALLERY

1. GENERAL INFORMATION

Western Sahara is a disputed territory abandoned by the Spanish in the mid 70’s and now a disputed territory on the northwest coast in the Magreb region. Partially controlled by the self-proclaimed Polisario and occupied by neighbouring Morocco, The territory is administered by Morocco, although its political status remains disputed.

The dispute began after Spain withdrew from the territory in 1975. Morocco subsequently took control of most of Western Sahara, while the Polisario Front, representing the Sahrawi people, proclaimed the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic and continues to seek independence. A UN-brokered ceasefire has largely held since 1991, but the territory’s final status remains unresolved. Today, Morocco administers roughly 80% of Western Sahara, while the Polisario controls much of the sparsely populated eastern desert beyond the extensive sand berm, often referred to as “the Berm.”

It is one of the least populated areas in the world and mainly is flat desert land. Just under 50% of the total population lives in Laayoune, the largest city in Western Sahara. Western Sahara is a vast desert territory on the Atlantic coast of North West Africa, bordered by Morocco, Algeria and Mauritania. Covering more than 266,000 square kilometres, it is a land of endless gravel plains, towering sand dunes, rugged mountains and isolated desert tracks.

For Overlanders and those who are looking for off road sand driving , Western Sahara offers a unique and remote desert experience. For those overlanders following the tarmac highway along the Atlantic coastline you will pass fishing villages, deserted beaches and dramatic cliffs. However for overlanders looking for some nice Off Road travel the Western Sahara inland desert provides some long-distance off road travel. Experienced four-wheel-drive overlanders are drawn to the eastern side of the territory, where vast open plains, rocky hammadas, dry riverbeds and impressive dune systems provide challenging expedition routes. Travel in these remote areas requires careful planning, reliable navigation and up-to-date local information, as parts of the region remain mined or are subject to military restrictions.

Coastal Road or Desert Tracks?

For adventurous overlanders, the journey south through Western Sahara towards Mauritania offers two very different experiences: the straightforward N1 coastal road or the remote desert pistes running away from it.

The N1 is the easiest and most predictable option. It runs south through Laayoune, Boujdour and Dakhla before continuing to Guerguerat and the Mauritanian border. It is paved, fuel and supplies are easier to plan, and navigation is simple. From Dakhla to Guerguerat is roughly 350–400 km, much of it through vast, almost empty desert. Although it is an easy road.

For adventurous overlanders wanting more adventure, established desert pistes offer a completely different experience. These tracks in the inland desert, are a mix of rocky terrain, corrugations and soft sand. They require a properly equipped 4×4 , good navigation, extra fuel and water, and recovery equipment.

However, this is also a place to be carefull it is not a place for simply driving across the desert wherever you choose. Western Sahara contains areas affected by landmines and unexploded ordnance, particularly around the Mauritanian border. Overlanders should use the designated border crossing at Guerguerat.

The border itself is another adventure. The short section between the Moroccan and Mauritanian posts is unpaved and can be sandy and rough. Once in Mauritania, the driving becomes considerably more demanding. Around Nouadhibou and further south, experienced overlanders can explore routes such as the Railway Piste, which follows the famous iron-ore railway through the desert and crosses extensive areas of sand.

The choice therefore depends on what you want from the trip. The N1 is the sensible route if your priority is reaching Mauritania fast. The desert pistes are for overlanders who want solitude, navigation and genuine off-road adventure.

We combined the two. explore the off roads tracks South along the border with Algeria and use the N1 as the main route North. That way you get the convenience of the coastal highway without missing the real attraction of Western Sahara—the feeling of being deep in one of the world’s great deserts.

The Sahara rewards adventurous driving, but it demands respect. Out here, good judgement, preparation and staying on known routes are more important than how capable your vehicle is.

Most overlanders travelling overland into Mauritaniaia via the Guerguerat border crossing, the only official international road crossing between Western Sahara and Mauritania. This route forms part of the trans-West African highway and is used by tourists, freight traffic and overland expeditions. Overlanders venturing into the eastern desert near the Berm should obtain security advice before departure, as there are no public border crossings into Mauritania away from Guerguerat and crossing through restricted or mined areas but many tracks in the far south venture west to get you to the Guerguerat border if you not willing or able to get a permit to cross.

Amazing 99% of 4WD lovers travel to westernized Morocco while in both Western Sahara and Mauritania sandy tracks, sand dunes are plentiful and offering some real Magreb African life. The paved roads cover all the way to Mauritania making it a quick few days to get to your starting point before starting the return journey exploring North East Mauritania and the Western Sahara. Western Sahara is well characterized by rocky landscapes and the expansive sand dunes you will never experience anywhere else in Morrocco or Europe.

For those seeking solitude, spectacular desert scenery and one of the closest last true overland frontiers close to Europe, Western Sahara offers an unforgettable adventure unlike anywhere else in Europe.

Who are the Polisario Front?

The Polisario Front is a political and military movement representing the Sahrawi people that seeks independence for Western Sahara from Moroccan administration. Based mainly in neighbouring Algeria, it fought a guerrilla war against Morocco until a UN-brokered ceasefire in 1991. Although peace talks have taken place over the years, the territory’s status remains unresolved and tensions continue. During our visit in 2011, the situation was tense, and there were ongoing reports of security incidents. The region has also attracted interest due to speculation about potential oil and natural gas reserves.