Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > North Africa
North Africa Topics specific to North Africa and the Sahara down to the 17th parallel (excludes Morocco)
Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



Trans Sahara Routes.

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 17 Oct 2008
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 49
Caravan Mauritania and Morocco

Hi all,

I am planning on exploring Morocco and Mauritania for three months, June, July and August next year. The roads were not that bad last time (2 years ago) when we camped. So for extra comfort I am planning on taking the caravan. I will be towing with a Land Rover Discovery (Auto) . With my wife and four children

So a few questions:

Is this doable for most of Morroco - right down to Dakhla? Is it feasible to explore Mauritania as well? I shall be staying on paved roads. Only bit that worries me is the border as it was a rough road last time.

Is there a serious risk of overheating? Although, the caravan is only 1000kgs which is 50% of the Discovery, so a very good weight ratio. It is single axle.

We can take our time as we can leave on the 5th June from the UK and I do not need to be back in the country until the 20th August. So no vast distances each day.

Are the campsites geared up for caravans in Morocco?

Andy
__________________
I came, I saw. I ran for it.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 17 Oct 2008
Chris Scott's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jun 2000
Posts: 4,801
Sounds like great fun but anywhere inland will be baking so I hope the car has aircon and good cooling. Mori has only 3 paved roads as you know: NDB to NKT and Senegal, and NKT up to Atar and over to Nema. The border crossing is only a few kms and easy with 2WDs - all you have to do it take it slowly.
Mile for mile, I would have thought the great desert and mtn roads in Morocco would be much more fun and less of a gamble - but maybe not in summer (the coast is cooler.)
Never seen a caravan in Mk but of course campervans etc are all over the place.

Ch
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 17 Oct 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: UK
Posts: 479
We saw a couple of caravans touring Morocco last time we were down there including 1 older one being towed behind a FJ40 Landcruiser and travelling with 2 cats. As to practicality, will work fine if you mainly stay on paved roads but if you want to start travelling on some of the more interesting tracks then I'm guessing the Caravan will start suffering quite quickly. Can't see it being a problem on the border crossing. Have fun
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 17 Oct 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Manchester, UK
Posts: 456
No problem if you stay on the tar in Mauri, but as Chris says, the heat could be a problem - especially with children along.

If you break the caravan in no man's land you could always sell it to the officials. On my last crossing there were two old British caravans there housing an insurance agent and a bureau d'exchange. Adds a touch of suburban surrealism to the entry procedures!
__________________
Pictures, Mauritania 2011
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 17 Oct 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Horncastle,Lincolnshire,UK
Posts: 226
Yep go for it

last year we met a German couple in N Senegal who were towing a bog-standard single axle caravan with their LR Defender who'd done exactly what you planned and had even done the piste from Rosso to Diama. Will be hot mind...Some of the Maroc sites had hook ups eg Bou Jerif near Plage Blanche as well as one in Marakesh; the name of which escapes me I'm afraid.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 17 Oct 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Northumberland, UK
Posts: 549
campsite

Camping Relais de Marrakesh, off the Casablanca road on the opposite side to the new stadium.
__________________
Atlas Overland - Specialist adventure tour company providing off-road holidays for 4x4 enthusiasts in Europe and North Africa.
Tours to Morocco, Iceland, Arctic Circle, Portugal, Alps, Pyrenees, Eastern Europe, Corsica, and UK weekend tours.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 17 Oct 2008
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 49
Thank you

Okay, we will go for it. We have aircon and I have a very well maintained cooling system. We shall try Mauritania as well. We can always find a site, park the caravan and then explore just with the car.

I shall put new tyres on the caravan and new bearings. Should make it a bit better. Certainly I am going to go up the Atlas mountains.

Only thing that has surprised me is the cost of the caravan on Algecerias to Ceuta crossing, they want £400. We only paid £120 two years ago.

We have a total budget of £6300 for 5 days so I hope that will be okay.

Andy
__________________
I came, I saw. I ran for it.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 19 Oct 2008
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Zamardi, Hungary
Posts: 40
Hi,
in Maroc there should be no problem anywhere at all,however, in the more interesting parts, there really are some tough roads with steep descents and tricky corners, but if the local overloaded/overaged lorrys can cope with, your decent vehicle will surely do it as well.
The price of the ferry seems prohibitive to me. Have you ever considered the ferries from Sete (France)? They are surely more expensive, but you save a lot on fuel, road tax, accomodation and food and fatigue first of all, compared to crossing Spain.
Don't worry about children, if they are used to travelling, they will support and even enjoy it, in my experience, they are much smarter than their parents
Year after year, we are doing Hungary->southern Senegal without any major issues, the first time my daughter was only 3 months young!
The border crossing from Maroc to Mori is easy even in a 2WD, but take it slowly and as already said thousands of times, never ever deviate from the track! If you are not sure, better pay the 10Eur for a local to show you the track.
Peter
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
anyone going to mauritania from morocco soon? leosletters North Africa 1 17 Aug 2008 10:29
morocco to mauritania with 4x4 maurice joyce North Africa 6 26 Jun 2008 06:04
From Mauritania to Morocco roro North Africa 5 29 Jan 2007 14:29
Morocco to Mauritania happydunk Travellers Seeking Travellers 0 21 Jun 2003 17:15
Mauritania/Morocco africaneil North Africa 2 17 May 2002 02:52

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 22:19.