Is Tunisia T2 still a nice full day drive?

[sky2sea]

Hello forum and Chris.

Just removed my head from Sahara Overland (well done Chris and contributors!) and have a few questions.

Is the T2 route in Tunisia still a good long day of driving with some challenges for the new guys (our clients will be the ones driving)? Also, could it be made into a 2 day route, if we set off later from Douz, and do a camp halfway.

Also trying to organize for the group a 2/3 day trek across some open barren landscape to the coastline. Does anyone know of any strips of uninhabited coast with nice scenery?

Regarding the vehicles we will be using. Are there any decent four wheel drive rental companies that can supply the extra kit needed for the camping, fuel and water carrying, etc?

Appreciate the help (oh and by the way... they have specified Tunisia, not our idea!).

Brian

[Mandarax]

The route is not exactly difficult and can easily be made within one day if you stay on the tracks. You can make it more difficult and interesting if you do not take the usual way after the Café la Porte du Desert at N33°15.690' E9°14.829' (Chris calls it Sahara Cafe) and turn right but go straight ahead. This way you will circumvent the National Park du Jebil northerly and will have to cross a interesting and more difficult part of the Erg. This route is worth for two days. Some photos from 2007 here http://msk.adventure-enduro.de/winds...07-album31.php.

By the way: in January 2008 works were underway to convert the track from the main entrance of the national park heading to Douz into a tarmac road. In January 2009 the first few kilometers of tarmac have been laid. Most probably it will only take a few years for tourists with normal cars to be able to reach the little musum of the national park.

If you need support around Douz there is Habib Laajimi, a local tour operator. His shop is in the south-west (I think) corner of the souk in Douz. Habibs shop: http://msk.adventure-enduro.de/winds...-090414-01.jpg
Habib is a decent guy and speaks some english. He usally supplies support for motorcycle groups and is able to arrange accommodation and to supply food, drink and fuel in the desert. mobile +216 98 572 393 or +216 21 629 266 fax +216 75 475 781 or +216 75 472 615

HTH,
Hans

[sky2sea]

Thanks Hans,

I'll look into your advice. My friend might be going out soon to get things set up so I'll pass all this onto him.

Nice photos as well.

Brian