Original post
Hi there,
Can you tell me if the road between Zagora and M'Gouna is easy or difficult for a 4x4? How much time and how many kilometers should I plan for? I’m traveling in May.
Thanks!
Maroc2025
Road between Zagora and Mgouna
by Maroc2025
Translated into English.
Hi,
Your question about a single trail doesn’t give much to go on...
You’ll need to give a few more details if you’d like some help! 😊
You’ll need to give a few more details if you’d like some help! 😊
Qui écoute trop la météo, passe sa vie au bistrot !
My dear Francette, it seems I'm more motivated than you to find what we're talking about... 😄
Okay, I'll try to formulate the question myself...
Is there a trail starting from Zagora that goes to M'gouna? The answer is no, it's a summit, you have to go on foot...
Is there a trail from Zagora to M'gouna (Kelaa M'Gouna)? Not 100%. The tarmac has taken over the trail almost everywhere... But there's still the Saghro trail to do... A beautiful trail, the tagine trail... To take after Nkob in the direction of Agdez... The trail crosses the Aglouzi plateau and at the village of Tagmout, you head toward M'Gouna...
Where is the M'gouna valley?
Same as option 2, but after Kelaa, take the tarmac of the Valley of Roses to the M'gouna valley via the Tizi Ait Hamed pass... See a variant that would start from Tagmout, where there's also a trail going toward Skoura. From there, you can connect via a trail to Amejgag and finish on the tarmac of Ait Hamed...
Will that work with this?
Okay, I'll try to formulate the question myself...
Is there a trail starting from Zagora that goes to M'gouna? The answer is no, it's a summit, you have to go on foot...
Is there a trail from Zagora to M'gouna (Kelaa M'Gouna)? Not 100%. The tarmac has taken over the trail almost everywhere... But there's still the Saghro trail to do... A beautiful trail, the tagine trail... To take after Nkob in the direction of Agdez... The trail crosses the Aglouzi plateau and at the village of Tagmout, you head toward M'Gouna...
Where is the M'gouna valley?
Same as option 2, but after Kelaa, take the tarmac of the Valley of Roses to the M'gouna valley via the Tizi Ait Hamed pass... See a variant that would start from Tagmout, where there's also a trail going toward Skoura. From there, you can connect via a trail to Amejgag and finish on the tarmac of Ait Hamed...
Will that work with this?
Qui écoute trop la météo, passe sa vie au bistrot !
You think that’ll work?
Uh... with who?
Uh... with who?
Qui boit l'eau d'une terre étrangère doit en suivre les coutumes (proverbe Mongol)
You seem to know it well, and I'm interested!
We're planning to take the off-road route from Merzouga to Zagora via Tafraoute to spend the night there—what do you think of the track and how difficult is it?
After Zagora, we'll loop through Erg Chegaga to sleep, then Foum Dzuig, and return to Zagora. We have a 4x4.
Maroc2025
This trail has almost no difficulties except for a slight section...
Basically, from Merzouga, it's paved for a little while... "things" move fast in this area, and as I write this, I don't know how far the paving has gone. But it shouldn't be far from the first village, which is Ouzina...
After that, the trail is prepped for paving, so it's easy but really annoying... A magnificent power line also shows you the way...
You'll reach another village: Remlia... There's a little restaurant to grab a cold drink if needed...
After Remlia, if you want to head to Tafraout... there's a 1 or 2 km section depending on the trail you take that will be the only difficulty... It's the dry riverbed with lots of different paths... Try to find a landmark to get closer to the mountain on your right (to the north) to follow it. In a 4x4, I don't see how you could go wrong, but be careful... For info, I took this route in an unprepared 205 for a raid, so in a 4x4... There's mostly a chance to do some sightseeing by exploring the riverbed if you take the wrong paths, but in a 4x4, I'll say it again... "it'll" work out.
After following the mountain, there's a hostel that had its heyday in the past... Auberge de la passe de M'harech... You'll see a first hostel on a slight promontory, with "riad" written in white on the stone... Keep going further... it's nice and pretty around there... Brahim is a good guy, plus there's a small pool...
After that, you'll backtrack... You'll have to cross the riverbed, nothing too complicated... It's dusty though... Try to visualize ahead; you'll spot a kind of marabout and a big lone tree... The trail is over there, you'll find it easily... Then... straight on to Tafraout...
It's a piece of cake, you won't have any issues...
For the trail from M'hamid to Foum Zguid via Chegaga... In a 4x4, it's not complicated... The last time I took this trail was last May at 45°C... in a 205, but prepared this time. If a fool in a 205 can make it, you'll make it in a 4x4... The only slightly annoying part is the hamada, not many landmarks... I don't know what you use for navigation, but this trail is easy to follow if you have Osmand... The great guru Gandinoche also made a GPS available for his fans that shows this trail and even where to take a piss...
Really nothing nasty in a 4x4, classic trails where you'll hardly find yourself alone...
After Remlia, if you want to head to Tafraout... there's a 1 or 2 km section depending on the trail you take that will be the only difficulty... It's the dry riverbed with lots of different paths... Try to find a landmark to get closer to the mountain on your right (to the north) to follow it. In a 4x4, I don't see how you could go wrong, but be careful... For info, I took this route in an unprepared 205 for a raid, so in a 4x4... There's mostly a chance to do some sightseeing by exploring the riverbed if you take the wrong paths, but in a 4x4, I'll say it again... "it'll" work out.
After following the mountain, there's a hostel that had its heyday in the past... Auberge de la passe de M'harech... You'll see a first hostel on a slight promontory, with "riad" written in white on the stone... Keep going further... it's nice and pretty around there... Brahim is a good guy, plus there's a small pool...
After that, you'll backtrack... You'll have to cross the riverbed, nothing too complicated... It's dusty though... Try to visualize ahead; you'll spot a kind of marabout and a big lone tree... The trail is over there, you'll find it easily... Then... straight on to Tafraout...
It's a piece of cake, you won't have any issues...
For the trail from M'hamid to Foum Zguid via Chegaga... In a 4x4, it's not complicated... The last time I took this trail was last May at 45°C... in a 205, but prepared this time. If a fool in a 205 can make it, you'll make it in a 4x4... The only slightly annoying part is the hamada, not many landmarks... I don't know what you use for navigation, but this trail is easy to follow if you have Osmand... The great guru Gandinoche also made a GPS available for his fans that shows this trail and even where to take a piss...
Really nothing nasty in a 4x4, classic trails where you'll hardly find yourself alone...
Qui écoute trop la météo, passe sa vie au bistrot !
Uh ... with who?
Francette said "I'm interested"...
Francette said "I'm interested"...
Qui écoute trop la météo, passe sa vie au bistrot !
This trail has almost no difficulty except for a slight section...
Basically, from Merzouga, it's tarmac for a little while... "it" moves fast in this area, and as I write this, I don't know how far it's gone. But it shouldn't be far from the first village, which is Ouzina...
After that, the trail is prepared for tarmac, so it's easy but really annoying... A magnificent power line also shows you the way...
You'll arrive at another village: Remlia... There's a little restaurant to grab a cold drink if needed...
After Remlia, if you want to go to Tafraout... there's a 1 or 2 km section depending on the trail you take that will be the only difficulty... It's the dry riverbed with lots of different paths... Try to find a landmark to get closer to the mountain on your right (to the north) to follow it... In a 4x4, I don't see how you could go wrong, but be careful... For info, I went through there in a stock 205 (not a rally-prepped one), so in a 4x4... "it" will be fine.
Once you're alongside the mountain, there's a hostel that had its heyday in the past... Auberge de la passe de M'harech... You'll see a first hostel on a slight promontory, with "riad" written in white on the stone... Keep going further... it's nice and pretty there... Brahim is a good guy, plus there's a small pool...
After that, you'll retrace your steps... You'll have to cross the riverbed, nothing too complicated... It's dusty, though... Try to visualize ahead; you'll spot a sort of marabout and a big lone tree... The trail is over there, you'll find it easily... Then... straight on to Tafraout...
It's a piece of cake, you won't have any issues...
For the trail from M'hamid to Foum Zguid via Chegaga... In a 4x4, it's not too complicated... The last time I did this trail was last May at 45°C... in a 205, but prepped this time... If a fool in a 205 can make it, in a 4x4, you'll be fine... The only slightly annoying part is the hamada, not many landmarks... I don't know what you use for navigation, but this trail is easy to follow if you have Osmand... The great guru Gandinoche also made a GPS available for his fans that shows this trail and even where to take a piss...
Really nothing nasty in a 4x4, classic trails where you'll hardly ever find yourself alone...
Thanks so much, it really feels like I'm there! Well, I'm heading to this region for the very first time in three weeks... with a basic rental car, like a Dacia Sandero. Originally, our route was planned from Merzouga to Zagora via the northern road... but I must admit your description of the trail above really interests me... Do you think it's possible to take it in a "normal" car, not prepped, not a 4x4? And how much time should I plan to reach Zagora?
After Remlia, if you want to go to Tafraout... there's a 1 or 2 km section depending on the trail you take that will be the only difficulty... It's the dry riverbed with lots of different paths... Try to find a landmark to get closer to the mountain on your right (to the north) to follow it... In a 4x4, I don't see how you could go wrong, but be careful... For info, I went through there in a stock 205 (not a rally-prepped one), so in a 4x4... "it" will be fine.
Once you're alongside the mountain, there's a hostel that had its heyday in the past... Auberge de la passe de M'harech... You'll see a first hostel on a slight promontory, with "riad" written in white on the stone... Keep going further... it's nice and pretty there... Brahim is a good guy, plus there's a small pool...
After that, you'll retrace your steps... You'll have to cross the riverbed, nothing too complicated... It's dusty, though... Try to visualize ahead; you'll spot a sort of marabout and a big lone tree... The trail is over there, you'll find it easily... Then... straight on to Tafraout...
It's a piece of cake, you won't have any issues...
For the trail from M'hamid to Foum Zguid via Chegaga... In a 4x4, it's not too complicated... The last time I did this trail was last May at 45°C... in a 205, but prepped this time... If a fool in a 205 can make it, in a 4x4, you'll be fine... The only slightly annoying part is the hamada, not many landmarks... I don't know what you use for navigation, but this trail is easy to follow if you have Osmand... The great guru Gandinoche also made a GPS available for his fans that shows this trail and even where to take a piss...
Really nothing nasty in a 4x4, classic trails where you'll hardly ever find yourself alone...
Thanks so much, it really feels like I'm there! Well, I'm heading to this region for the very first time in three weeks... with a basic rental car, like a Dacia Sandero. Originally, our route was planned from Merzouga to Zagora via the northern road... but I must admit your description of the trail above really interests me... Do you think it's possible to take it in a "normal" car, not prepped, not a 4x4? And how much time should I plan to reach Zagora?
Hi there!
A "normal" car... no way. 😉
Big Cat has a normal car... but he’s not normal himself, so it works...
Qui boit l'eau d'une terre étrangère doit en suivre les coutumes (proverbe Mongol)
From Merzouga to Zagora via dirt track, you’ll encounter three potential problem areas if it’s rained:
Crossing the Gheris after Ramlia—even with a 4x4, you might have to forget it sometimes
Crossing the Lake Maider just after crossing the Gheris—normally dry, otherwise muddy
The exit from Tafraoute via Lake Aguelmame Sidi Ali—normally dry, otherwise...
Alternative to Ramlia: Merzouga - Outtara - direction Tagueroumt (paved road), at point 31.1549169, -4.4698065 take a left onto a track that leads to the M’harech pass, avoiding the Gheris.
Alternative to Lake Maider: about 2 km before the hostel, a track on the left leads back to the P7110
If Lake Aguelmame Sidi Ali isn’t "drivable": go around to the south—there’ll be tracks that bring you back to the Tafraout-Oumjrane track OR take the paved P7110 then the N12, etc.
Time-wise: never done it either—either we’d made a stop or we weren’t going to Zagora. Rough guess: a full day of driving, 8+ hours depending on difficulties and stops
JP
Personally, an alternative route:
From Zagora, take the RN 12 via Taghbalte, N'Kob, heading toward the beautiful "Tizi n'Tazazert" pass, Boumalne Dades, and El Kelaa des Mgouna.
"Il vaut mieux faire des enfants quand on est vieux, on les em...de moins longtemps (Desproges)
Hello
A "normal" car... no. 😉
Big Cat has a normal car... but he’s not, so it works... 😏😏😏
Well, well, you... 😏
Anyway, I’m glad you say I have a normal car because that’s not the word my wife uses to describe it... I’m more used to hearing "junk heap," "pile of rust," "wreck," and most often "mobile dumpster"...
Well, well, you... 😏
Anyway, I’m glad you say I have a normal car because that’s not the word my wife uses to describe it... I’m more used to hearing "junk heap," "pile of rust," "wreck," and most often "mobile dumpster"...
Qui écoute trop la météo, passe sa vie au bistrot !
Hey Seb,
Hmm, I think it’s pretty ambitious with a Dacia and no experience to tackle the oued crossing before Remilia... Marabu’s right—if it’s rained, it’ll be tough. But more than that, it’s a total maze of tracks going every which way. Info about the tracks can be outdated after just a few months, and a route that was doable in a sedan in February might not be even a month later (sometimes even a day later). The weather’s way better at reshaping terrain than excavators... I haven’t been to the area since this spring, so take my info with a grain of salt...
By the way, does anyone know where the tarmac will cross the oued?
Hmm, I think it’s pretty ambitious with a Dacia and no experience to tackle the oued crossing before Remilia... Marabu’s right—if it’s rained, it’ll be tough. But more than that, it’s a total maze of tracks going every which way. Info about the tracks can be outdated after just a few months, and a route that was doable in a sedan in February might not be even a month later (sometimes even a day later). The weather’s way better at reshaping terrain than excavators... I haven’t been to the area since this spring, so take my info with a grain of salt...
By the way, does anyone know where the tarmac will cross the oued?
Qui écoute trop la météo, passe sa vie au bistrot !
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Hi everyone,
After 40 years of traveling in Morocco, I want to explore a new area by 4x4—the Western Moroccan Sahara, which I don’t know very well. I have plenty of tracks and itineraries, but I’d love some info to help me decide on the best route:
Part 1:
I want to do the ASSA - SMARA crossing. Basically, I have two options: the first follows the Draa River and goes through M’SIED, and the second is much further south, passing through LABOUIRAT and heading straight to SMARA.
If you have any details on road conditions, driving restrictions, etc., I’d really appreciate it.
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Again, any info would be great.
Thanks, everyone.
After 40 years of traveling in Morocco, I want to explore a new area by 4x4—the Western Moroccan Sahara, which I don’t know very well. I have plenty of tracks and itineraries, but I’d love some info to help me decide on the best route:
Part 1:
I want to do the ASSA - SMARA crossing. Basically, I have two options: the first follows the Draa River and goes through M’SIED, and the second is much further south, passing through LABOUIRAT and heading straight to SMARA.
If you have any details on road conditions, driving restrictions, etc., I’d really appreciate it.
Part 2: SMARA - BIR ANZERANE - DAKHLA – here, I also have two routes. The first heads west from Smara toward Sidi Kathari. The second goes east from SMARA and gets pretty close to the border at one point (about 10 km away). Both routes meet up about 150 km later and are nearly identical from there to BIR ANZERANE and DAKHLA.
Again, any info would be great.
Thanks, everyone.
Hi,
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I’d like to explore the sandy desert this time since the Hoggar was 80% rocky.
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I’m of Algerian origin, so no visa or other formalities to worry about.
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I need to know if we can cross the Sahara to reach Djanet and Tamanrasset by road freely,
After that, obviously off-road in the desert with a guide.
What do the authorities say?
My trip: northern and southern Tunisia, a stroll in the desert.
Crossing the Tunisia-Algeria border via the Taleb Larbi customs.
I’ve already done this route through an agency, but this time we want to do it on our own.
Then heading down to Djanet for eight to fifteen days in the desert with Mouloud, a local guide.
Direction Tamanrasset: road and tracks, the mountains of the Assekrem, the Hermitage of Père de Foucauld.
Return via the Trans-Saharan Highway.
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Regarding Russian SIM cards, a new system called "Gosuslugi" has been introduced. How long did it take you to get one, and what steps did you follow?
Thanks
Which bank did you use for expenses? (EuroMastercard and Visa cards no longer work.)
Regarding Russian SIM cards, a new system called "Gosuslugi" has been introduced. How long did it take you to get one, and what steps did you follow?
Thanks
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Also, we have 2 nights left near Wilderness National Park / Knysna. Any recommendations? Thanks so much for your help!
Hi there!
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I also considered Zimbabwe but I’m worried it might be a bit chilly at night in June.
I’ve revisited an itinerary I’d thought about before, tweaking it since I’ll have more days to dedicate to this trip. Still no big northern classics for the same reasons as before (too expensive, too crowded, too many tour operators).
Here’s what I’ve got so far:
(Arrival/departure from Kilimanjaro Airport)
Night 1: Arusha
Night 2: Arusha
Night 3: Lake Manyara
Night 4: On the way to Iringa (any ideas???)
Night 5: Iringa
Nights 6–8: Ruaha NP
Nights 9–10: Mikumi NP
Night 11: Bagamoyo
Nights 12–15: Beach Nights 16–17: Lushoto
Nights 18–19: Mkomazi NP
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Night 21: Western Kilimanjaro
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All your ideas, tweaks, info, and suggestions on this route are welcome!
I could move one beach night somewhere else if needed.
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Thanks! :)
For my 60th birthday (yes, I’m jumping the gun a bit!), I’m starting to plan a self-drive trip to Tanzania (in June).
I also considered Zimbabwe but I’m worried it might be a bit chilly at night in June.
I’ve revisited an itinerary I’d thought about before, tweaking it since I’ll have more days to dedicate to this trip. Still no big northern classics for the same reasons as before (too expensive, too crowded, too many tour operators).
Here’s what I’ve got so far:
(Arrival/departure from Kilimanjaro Airport)
Night 1: Arusha
Night 2: Arusha
Night 3: Lake Manyara
Night 4: On the way to Iringa (any ideas???)
Night 5: Iringa
Nights 6–8: Ruaha NP
Nights 9–10: Mikumi NP
Night 11: Bagamoyo
Nights 12–15: Beach Nights 16–17: Lushoto
Nights 18–19: Mkomazi NP
Night 20: Toward Marangu – eastern Kilimanjaro
Night 21: Western Kilimanjaro
End of trip
All your ideas, tweaks, info, and suggestions on this route are welcome!
I could move one beach night somewhere else if needed.
Also, if you have a car rental company to recommend or thoughts on the bandas rented in the parks, I’m all ears!
Finally, what are the roads like in Ruaha in June? The rental company I’m looking at seems to allow this park with a small 4x4. (Off-limits: Serengeti and Natron)
Thanks! :)
Hello,
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Cendrine
We’re planning a long-term trip starting in April with our 4x4, beginning in the USA. We’re still looking for car insurance that covers Canada and the USA.
We’ve read quite a few forums, but we’re hoping for some help (from fellow travelers).
Thanks in advance for your tips!
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If anyone has any ideas, I’d really appreciate it.
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I’m looking for the start of a trail in the Picos de Europa in Spain that I used over 30 years ago in a 4x4.
It began by passing under a house, and there was a café nearby.
I know it’s not much to go on, but that’s all I’ve got. The fact that the trail started by going under a house isn’t exactly common!
If anyone has any ideas, I’d really appreciate it.
Thanks in advance
Hi,
we’re planning to visit a park again.
Could you point us toward the camps in Gonarezhou Park?
>We’re traveling completely self-sufficiently.
We love wildlife.
Thanks for any tips you can share!
JP
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For these countries, our national insurance obviously doesn’t cover the vehicle, so we’ll need to get local insurance.
Will it be a problem if the vehicle is registered under person A and the national insurance is under person B? Both A and B will be in the vehicle, and both will be listed as drivers on the insurance.
When we get the local insurance, if we again list A and B as drivers, does the order matter? Could we get stuck at the border for this reason?
Thanks for your help! :)
We’re planning a 4x4 trip from Belgium to Central Asia, passing through Georgia, Russia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan.
For these countries, our national insurance obviously doesn’t cover the vehicle, so we’ll need to get local insurance.
Will it be a problem if the vehicle is registered under person A and the national insurance is under person B? Both A and B will be in the vehicle, and both will be listed as drivers on the insurance.
When we get the local insurance, if we again list A and B as drivers, does the order matter? Could we get stuck at the border for this reason?
Thanks for your help! :)
Hi,
For those who’ve driven on Iceland’s gravel roads in their own or a rented Duster, could you tell me what tires were fitted on the vehicle?
Were they All Terrain tires or more "standard" ones like all-season tires, for example?
Follow-up question: if they were "standard" tires, did that cause any issues on the gravel roads and rough terrain?
Thanks so much for any info you can share. Best, Marc
Follow-up question: if they were "standard" tires, did that cause any issues on the gravel roads and rough terrain?
Thanks so much for any info you can share. Best, Marc
Hi there,
I'm planning a 4x4 road trip from Darwin to Broome with a rooftop tent in July 2026.
I'd like to know if I need to book overnight stops in advance or if I can just wing it and stop wherever I feel like it?
Some evenings, we'd like to stop and make use of campsite facilities (restaurant, shop, showers, toilets).
What do you recommend?
Do I need a permit?
My rough itinerary looks like this: Darwin - Kakadu Kakadu - Nitmiluk Nitmiluk - Kununurra Kununurra - Purnululu Purnululu - El Questro El Questro - Mt Elizabeth - Bell Gorge - Broome
Do you have any tips or great deals to share?
Thanks
My rough itinerary looks like this: Darwin - Kakadu Kakadu - Nitmiluk Nitmiluk - Kununurra Kununurra - Purnululu Purnululu - El Questro El Questro - Mt Elizabeth - Bell Gorge - Broome
Do you have any tips or great deals to share?
Thanks
Hi there, could you please share your feedback on renting a 4x4 for a 21-day self-drive trip in Uganda? Thanks
Hi there,
I’m planning a trip to Iceland for next July-August, with a car and tent, and I’m wondering about booking campsites. From your experience, is it necessary or even essential to book campsites in advance, or do you always manage to find a spot to pitch your tent?
We’ll also have the option to sleep in the car without pitching the tent. Does that give us the flexibility to stay outside a campsite for a night here and there?
Thanks so much for sharing your experience! Mpec
I’m planning a trip to Iceland for next July-August, with a car and tent, and I’m wondering about booking campsites. From your experience, is it necessary or even essential to book campsites in advance, or do you always manage to find a spot to pitch your tent?
We’ll also have the option to sleep in the car without pitching the tent. Does that give us the flexibility to stay outside a campsite for a night here and there?
Thanks so much for sharing your experience! Mpec
Hi,
I’m planning a road trip in the Middle Atlas, starting and ending in Fez and heading down to the south of Midelt, the Assoul Massif.... We’ll be traveling with two small 4x4s.
I’m looking for detailed maps of this region that include small roads and tracks.
Last year, we had a fantastic road trip in the Anti-Atlas and High Atlas using Erfahren maps, but unfortunately, they don’t cover the area we’re interested in this year.
Thanks for your suggestions!
Dominique
Hi everyone,
We’re planning a 13-day family road trip in Morocco this July, with six people in a Toyota Prado 4x4 (renting in Marrakech). We’ll alternate between bivouacking and small hotels/riads depending on the stops.
Here’s the planned route (in this order):
Marrakech → Ouarzazate → Draa Valley → Zagora → Erg Chegaga → Lake Iriki → Foum Zguid → Tata → Tafraoute → Aït Mansour → Tiznit → Mirleft → Taroudant → Back to Marrakech
Our goal:
Atlas Mountains + desert + dunes + plateaus + valleys + a bit of coastline. We’ll cover about 1,700 km in total.
We’re planning:
Bivouacking in the Chegaga/Iriki area Flexible for the rest (booking the day before or same day) Sand gear: traction plates, compressor, tow strap, roof rack
Questions:
Is the Zagora → Chegaga → Iriki → Foum Zguid crossing in July doable on our own (single vehicle, no guide)? Are there any truly technical or risky sections between Chegaga and Iriki? Does the overall itinerary seem manageable in 13 days without rushing? Any suggestions for great bivouac spots or particularly interesting stops along this route? The points on the route are provisional overnight stops. Some spots will include two nights in the same area.
We’re used to off-road driving, but not yet in the Moroccan desert. Thanks in advance for your feedback and tips! 😊
We’re planning a 13-day family road trip in Morocco this July, with six people in a Toyota Prado 4x4 (renting in Marrakech). We’ll alternate between bivouacking and small hotels/riads depending on the stops.
Here’s the planned route (in this order):
Marrakech → Ouarzazate → Draa Valley → Zagora → Erg Chegaga → Lake Iriki → Foum Zguid → Tata → Tafraoute → Aït Mansour → Tiznit → Mirleft → Taroudant → Back to Marrakech
Our goal:
Atlas Mountains + desert + dunes + plateaus + valleys + a bit of coastline. We’ll cover about 1,700 km in total.
We’re planning:
Bivouacking in the Chegaga/Iriki area Flexible for the rest (booking the day before or same day) Sand gear: traction plates, compressor, tow strap, roof rack
Questions:
Is the Zagora → Chegaga → Iriki → Foum Zguid crossing in July doable on our own (single vehicle, no guide)? Are there any truly technical or risky sections between Chegaga and Iriki? Does the overall itinerary seem manageable in 13 days without rushing? Any suggestions for great bivouac spots or particularly interesting stops along this route? The points on the route are provisional overnight stops. Some spots will include two nights in the same area.
We’re used to off-road driving, but not yet in the Moroccan desert. Thanks in advance for your feedback and tips! 😊
Good evening
I could use some advice 🙂
Our trip to Namibia is planned for June/July 2026.
We’re struggling a bit with timing and choosing activities for the part of the trip between Sesriem and Brandberg.
Day 1: Sesriem to Mirabib Day 2: Mirabib to Swakopmund – visit Swakopmund, overnight in Swakopmund Day 3: Sandwich Harbour – overnight in Swakopmund Day 4: Kayaking with the seals + the living dunes – overnight in Swakopmund Day 5: Moon Landscape, Henties Bay + Cape Cross – overnight at White Lady Lodge in Brandberg
Does this itinerary seem realistic to you? Is Cape Cross really worth the trip? If I had to choose between Cape Cross and kayaking with the seals, which would you recommend? Thanks in advance for your help! Hélix
Day 1: Sesriem to Mirabib Day 2: Mirabib to Swakopmund – visit Swakopmund, overnight in Swakopmund Day 3: Sandwich Harbour – overnight in Swakopmund Day 4: Kayaking with the seals + the living dunes – overnight in Swakopmund Day 5: Moon Landscape, Henties Bay + Cape Cross – overnight at White Lady Lodge in Brandberg
Does this itinerary seem realistic to you? Is Cape Cross really worth the trip? If I had to choose between Cape Cross and kayaking with the seals, which would you recommend? Thanks in advance for your help! Hélix
Hello,
My son and I are heading to Georgia this summer to explore the High Caucasus (Svaneti, Kazbek, and Tusheti regions). For this, we’re planning to rent a 4x4. However, the rental agencies we’ve found prohibit driving on the tracks to Omalo (Tusheti) and/or Ushguli (Svaneti). Do you know of any agencies in Tbilisi (local and reliable) that allow rented 4x4s to drive on these tracks? If so, which ones?
Thanks for your help!
My son and I are heading to Georgia this summer to explore the High Caucasus (Svaneti, Kazbek, and Tusheti regions). For this, we’re planning to rent a 4x4. However, the rental agencies we’ve found prohibit driving on the tracks to Omalo (Tusheti) and/or Ushguli (Svaneti). Do you know of any agencies in Tbilisi (local and reliable) that allow rented 4x4s to drive on these tracks? If so, which ones?
Thanks for your help!
Hi everyone,
I’m starting to plan an itinerary for September 2027 focused on Zimbabwe and Zambia. I’d love to visit Gonarezhou National Park—I see there are two sectors: the Mwenezi Region in the south and the area around the Runde River in the north. Should I cover both sectors or just focus on the northern region?
For the parks along the Zambezi River, is it better to visit Mana Pools on the Zimbabwe side or Lower Zambezi on the Zambia side?
Thanks in advance for any tips on the parks in these two countries.
Have a great day, everyone.
I'm looking to travel to Turkey from Greece by car. Do you know any ferry companies that operate this route? Thanks for your replies
Hi there,
We’re spending 18 days in New Zealand from 05/04 to 05/21, arriving in QUEENSTOWN and leaving from AUCKLAND. Any ideas for a road trip that covers the highlights of both islands but only changes hotels every 3–4 nights? Thanks.
We’re spending 18 days in New Zealand from 05/04 to 05/21, arriving in QUEENSTOWN and leaving from AUCKLAND. Any ideas for a road trip that covers the highlights of both islands but only changes hotels every 3–4 nights? Thanks.
Hi,
For our trip to Georgia in July, I’d like to rent a 4x4 starting from Tbilisi. Do you have any rental companies to recommend? The traditional rentals like Hertz, Avis, etc. seem way overpriced compared to local companies—what do you think? Are they properly insured?
Has anyone here tried Geo Rent Car, Auto 4 Rental, or Sur Price?
Also, I’m looking for info on the condition of the Ushguli–Lentekhi track—is it passable?
Thanks for your tips! Penlan
For our trip to Georgia in July, I’d like to rent a 4x4 starting from Tbilisi. Do you have any rental companies to recommend? The traditional rentals like Hertz, Avis, etc. seem way overpriced compared to local companies—what do you think? Are they properly insured?
Has anyone here tried Geo Rent Car, Auto 4 Rental, or Sur Price?
Also, I’m looking for info on the condition of the Ushguli–Lentekhi track—is it passable?
Thanks for your tips! Penlan
Hi everyone,
A well-prepped 4x4, a travel plan across Africa in stages since I’ve got kids to see regularly and work to earn a living.
I’m leaving in November for about a month with the goal of reaching Senegal via Mauritania. I’d love to share this trip with someone who wants to discover Mauritania and a bit of Senegal... and also experience life on board a 4x4 in the desert or bush, sometimes sleeping in the vehicle or in hostels/small hotels for comfort. I want to share this rediscovery because two’s better than one!
Just traveling, exploring, and living! !
Hi there,
I’m planning to explore Argentine and Chilean Patagonia for a month in December 2019.
I’m looking for a rental company (or several) that offers single-cab 4x4 pick-ups with a fitted camper cell for two people. I’m specifically after a vehicle with an indoor shower for extra comfort ;) So, no vans—at least not from the rental companies I’ve seen so far.
While browsing the forum, I came across the Chilean rental company Holiday Rent. But do you have any recommendations for Argentine rentals? Because, if I can’t return the vehicle in the same city as pickup, I’d prefer—and it’d likely be cheaper—to at least return it in the same country.
I’m planning to explore Argentine and Chilean Patagonia for a month in December 2019.
I’m looking for a rental company (or several) that offers single-cab 4x4 pick-ups with a fitted camper cell for two people. I’m specifically after a vehicle with an indoor shower for extra comfort ;) So, no vans—at least not from the rental companies I’ve seen so far.
While browsing the forum, I came across the Chilean rental company Holiday Rent. But do you have any recommendations for Argentine rentals? Because, if I can’t return the vehicle in the same city as pickup, I’d prefer—and it’d likely be cheaper—to at least return it in the same country.
Hello,
I’m traveling through Argentina and Chile (as well as Paraguay and Uruguay) with a 2019 Toyota Hilux Euro 6. Could anyone tell me if the local diesel is suitable for its engine, or if I need to take any special precautions (like adding an additive, for example) for these countries? I’d also like to know if driving at high altitudes is possible, and up to what elevation—or if I should worry about the vehicle going into limp mode? If that happens, what should I do?
Thanks in advance
I’m traveling through Argentina and Chile (as well as Paraguay and Uruguay) with a 2019 Toyota Hilux Euro 6. Could anyone tell me if the local diesel is suitable for its engine, or if I need to take any special precautions (like adding an additive, for example) for these countries? I’d also like to know if driving at high altitudes is possible, and up to what elevation—or if I should worry about the vehicle going into limp mode? If that happens, what should I do?
Thanks in advance