A Windy Morning and Breakfast in the Sand

After our first night in the desert, we woke up still getting used to the idea of camping in the Sahara. Sand is everywhere — in the tent, in our bags, in the car — and the constant cycle of taking things out of the vehicle and packing them back in is its own type of exercise. But we slept better than expected, and having good sleeping mats definitely paid off.

For breakfast, we prepared overnight oats, which turned out to be a simple but perfect meal for the desert morning. After eating, it was time to break down the tent again — something that will hopefully become more routine over the next days.

Briefing at 09:00 and the First Setback of the Day

At 09:00, the whole group gathered for the daily briefing. Today’s plan was straightforward:

• A short stretch on asphalt
• Then entering the National Park Banc d’Arguin (also an UNESCO World Heritage)
• With support from our desert guides

We left the “Hidden Dune” camp and had barely driven a few minutes when the first breakdown occurred. One rally participant hit a large rock and cracked his oil pan. Everyone stopped immediately. The team managed a temporary fix so the vehicle could at least continue to the lunch stop, where the repair would be finalized.

Along the Mauritania Railway

We continued south, driving parallel to the Mauritanian iron ore railway for a while — the same line where the legendary ore trains run. Unfortunately, we didn’t see a train this time, but the scenery was impressive nonetheless.

We then passed through several small desert villages, where the level of poverty is striking. For us Europeans, the conditions can feel overwhelming at first — humble shelters, almost no infrastructure, and a harsh landscape. It was a powerful reminder of the realities of this region.

Entering the National Park — and the Next Incident

Once inside the National Park, the real desert driving began. It didn’t take long before the next challenge appeared: the first sand embedding of the day. A rally vehicle got stuck deep in the sand and needed to be pulled out.

During the recovery attempt, the tow rope snapped and unfortunately hit the radiator of the stuck car — causing another breakdown. This led to a longer lunch break, during which both vehicles received enough temporary repairs to continue.

Progress Slows in the Desert

Because of these two extended stops, we didn’t cover as many kilometers as originally planned. Still, after some time the convoy moved again, heading deeper into the dunes and open plains. The terrain became more demanding — soft sand, ridges, and constant wind blowing fine dust across everything.

Setting Up Camp in the Open Desert

By late afternoon, we chose a large open area to set up our next wild camp.
The wind was moderate but always present, and sand found its way into every corner.
This time, however, we had gained a bit of practice:

• Tent setup went much faster
• Our small group of Rally friends arranged the cars in a circle to protect each other from the wind
• Everyone helped where needed

We cooked our simple desert dinner and even pre‑cooked pasta for the next day to save time. Afterward, we sat together with some of the other teams, shared stories, and watched the sky fade into night.

Another Night in the Tent

Sleeping in the desert is still something we’re adjusting to. The sounds, the wind, the unfamiliar feeling — all of it takes time. But slowly, we’re getting more comfortable.

Tomorrow will take us deeper into Mauritania’s desert regions, and we are curious what challenges and moments the day will bring.