A Slow Morning and a Mandatory Briefing

The day began once again with breakfast — simple, served on a tray, but exactly what we needed to ease into the morning. Today we didn’t have to rush, as the mandatory rally briefing in Dakhla was scheduled for 11:00 a.m. All teams gathered there to receive final instructions for tomorrow’s crossing into Mauritania.

The briefing clarified the entire process:

1. Exit Morocco at the Moroccan border post.
2. Drive through the five‑kilometer “no‑man’s‑land” — an unregulated, barren stretch between the borders.
3. Enter Mauritania, where the e‑visa will be processed, passports stamped, and vehicles inspected.

From experience, this entire procedure can take an entire day, so being well‑prepared — mentally and logistically — is essential.

A Visit to Dakhla’s “Garage Street”

After the briefing, we headed to the so called “garage street” of Dakhla. Here, dozens of workshops operate side by side in a buzzing, chaotic line of open engines, scattered tools, and mechanics working without any hint of European safety regulations.
One team had a protective plate installed, another had their air‑conditioning recharged — the scene was noisy, dusty, and fascinating. We wandered through without needing anything ourselves, but the atmosphere alone was worth the visit.

Southbound — Crossing the Tropic of Cancer

From Dakhla, we continued toward Bir Gandouz, the last settlement before the Mauritanian border. Along the way, we crossed a special geographical milestone: the Tropic of Cancer. Naturally, we stopped for a quick photo — especially because almost exactly one year ago, our faithful red Land Rover had carried us across the Arctic Circle in northern Europe. Now, the same vehicle had brought us to the Tropic of Cancer. We’re quite confident he will make it all the way to Gambia.

Last Supplies Before the Desert

We reached the dusty little village where we would spend the night together with Team Flinke Fenneks. Before settling in, we made a final stop at a small local shop — surprisingly well‑stocked — to buy:

• plenty of water for the upcoming four desert days
• some basic food supplies
• a few last essentials for the crossing

Afterwards, we took a short rest at our “accommodation”.

A Very Basic Night

Our accommodation tonight is… functional. Let’s say it that way.
Very small room, mold on the walls, flakes of plaster coming down, a dripping tap you shouldn’t touch or it may come off entirely. No towels, no toilet paper. But it will do for one night.

Dinner After Sunset

After the fast-breaking, we walked into the village again and found a tiny, very authentic local eatery. The owners were incredibly friendly and prepared a warm meal for us despite the late hour. Together with Team Flinke Fenneks, we shared a large tagine and a bowl of hot soup — simple, comforting, and exactly right.

By the time we headed back to our room, the streets had grown quiet, the desert wind had cooled the air slightly, and tomorrow’s challenge was already in our minds.

For now, we’re calling it a night.