Hitch-hiking without the convoy Maroc-NKT
 

Hello!
Now that there is no more convoy - does anybody have recent information about how hitch-hiking in the southern direction works? I intend to go down from Casa to Mauritania and on to Senegal in April.
Where would it be best to ask for a free place in a car?

Thanks a lot and safe travels!

Hello Wittemichael
After Casablanca the next big stop is Agadir. A nice town with good shoreline, good facilities and good climate. It was rebuilt after the disastrous earthquake in the early 1960’s
There is only one campsite of note there, full of winterers in their grand motor homes, and a few of us in desert-mobiles.
This is the first place to find a fellow desert traveller with a spare seat.
Next town is Tan-Tan, an inglorious venue (it was blowing a sand-laden ‘hooooolie’ when I was last there) but a must for Mauritanian travellers, it is almost the last stop before the sandy void…
If you get there, you are probably already on a long distance truck. But a few camper vans go down there, it is the last place they can reasonable go without advance planning or special equipment. Camp on the beach…
Next, and last town in Southern Morocco (the erstwhile ‘Western Sahara’) is Dakhla, a very favourite town – I like it, full of character and Islamic intrigue, clean and tidy, and beer available, (I am told.. )
Everybody here is destined for Mauritania, (there is nowhere else to go from here) and if you can get here, then hover around the visa office (there is only one) or the excellent campsite on the way in…
(Am I being vague? – there is only one way in, and only one campsite…) and you should find several lifts there.
Don’t ignore the long-range desert buses, they will probably offer a short haul deal for a few dollars.
Good luck
Kitmax


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Kitmax - Traveller
Desert Pictures at
http://www.kitmax.com/kitmax/kit03ph...velgallery.htm
homepage http://www.kitmax.com

Hello Kitmax!

So if I got you right, you consider dakhla to best the best place to find a spare seat.
I think it should be possible to get there by bus isn't it?
Another question: do you think I should get the visa for MAUR in germany before leaving or in rabat (I heared it's cheaper and faster there)? Or did I misunderstand you: is there also a visa-office in dakhla?
I'm sorry I have so many questions but I try to get as many informations as possible!

Thanks in advance!

PS: Of course I looked at your website and bokmarked it, well done!

Sorry: one more question - how much do you think I should spend for a seat in a car / bus from dakhla to NKT / Dakar, just to have an idea...

[This message has been edited by wittemichael (edited 05 March 2002).]

Hello Wittemichael
"…you consider dakhla to best the best place to find a spare seat." YES

"I think it should be possible to get there by bus isn't it?" YES

"Another question: do you think I should get the visa for MAUR in Germany before leaving or in Rabat (I heard it's cheaper and faster there)?" I would suggest in Germany, in your own language, and in you own time, but check around, Rabat may well be easier – do they still ask for a return air flight as a condition of entry? Worth doing some more research on this. My info is not current and there have been many changes in the last year…

"is there also a visa-office in dakhla?" It is not a visa-issue office, it is a permit-to-travel office authorised by the gendarme where your exit-visa is stamped.
"how much … for a seat in a car / bus from Dakhla to NKT / Dakar, just to have an idea..." I don’t know, but to offer to share the cost of a guide for a good start. About 3 years ago a guide cost around $200, I think.

If you drive the beach route between Nouadhibou and Nouackchott, this will take around 3 days. There is no piste, lots of sand and some local quicksand. I believe a guide is essential. It’s also a good trip through the Parc D’Arguin, with coyote, pelican, fish eagles, some small dunes, dolphins in the sea, washed up whales, lots to see!

Note you need a permit to travel through the Parc d’Arguin, about $5 from Nouadhibou.
I haven’t travelled this way for a while so other travellers may add further info...
Kitmax