Rabat is no longer an option. We went there a few weeks ago and it turned out that they moved to Casablanca that same weekend! Down there, we showed up at 0900 and picked up the visas 6 hous later. It cost 200 DH per person. They did not need an air ticket and understood thet we were driving (saw our car..) The visa stated entry in Nouakchott, but nobody at the border bothered with that. They were VERY interested in our Carnet. I think it might have cost a bit if we didnt have one...
The trip through the mine field was not espesially easy with a GPS. The dunes have shifted over some of the tracks we followed, and we had to "hop" from bare stone area, to bare stone area! A guide would have been easier and safer.
Going down to Nouadibou is not nessicary if you ask me. It is better to continue straight down to Nouakchott, rather then waste time and diesel. The trip to Nouakchott took us 2.5 days and was in my opinion rather easy. We could have done it in 2 days. We were 3 cars and did it with our gps. There are tracks all over the place, and most lead to the capitol. Although there are a few that only lead to camel herds! The only hassle was a "miny sand storm" for 1 night. It was totally quiet, I got up to get a (they didnt check at the border and you can buy in some restaurants)from our fridge, by the time I was about to sit down again it was blowing at least 30 knots! We now have sand in very odd places!
In Nouakchott, "Aubage Nomade" sems to be the best place to camp.

Erik D.

www.dunia.no

PS If you camp at the campsite in Dakhla (Morocco) your car and you will inevitably be covered in pulverized dry camel dung from the "stable" next door! Not nice, and it doesnt come off easily!


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[This message has been edited by Erik D. (edited 05 October 2002).]