Sorry for arriving late to the post. I normally check the North Africa section and had not seen this until today.

I did too Tidjikja-Kiffa in November 2016. Ferdi is right. I guess the dune he refers to is at [17º38'59.14" N, 11º23'45.92" W]. It is not a dune strictly speaking, but a sandy slope just at the exit of the wadi. Problem is, it is a transited section and the sand is very beaten. Deflate to 1 bar. If you have a manual car, start in 3rd low gear, foot to the floor, take impulse, and do not shift gear until it is finished. It can be done. Please find below a couple of photos that make no justice to the site, but will give an idea anyway..

Another tricky point is much before, not much after you have left the paved road from Tidjikja. The track suddenly dissapears in front of a stony section at [18º10'49.23" N, 11º34'04.71" W]. You may be baffled. Just leave the car and make some exploration. The track is marked in the stony part and eventually you will find it.

It was a magnificent leg and I long to repeat it.

Cheers, and good luck!

Cutrex

That's really helpful information Cutrex.
I want to go that way in late December. In 2011 we went Atar to Tidjitja and missed that section mainly because my vehicle was petrol powered and it was hard to find in Tidjitja, so had to head down to the river towns to get some.
Is it not possible to circum navigate that wadi exit by going up or down the wadi?
Maybe a good wind will change the sand before we arrive.:smartass:


Ali.

Hi Ali,

As far as I know, there is no alternative way because the route departs from the wadi at that point. By the way, just there you will find a magnificent cliff you would not like to miss.

Do not worry, it can be done. It is not dangerous (the cliff is in the wadi), thus just keep trying if you do not succeed the first time. And care the clutch (mine is automatic).

Best luck, and let me know if I can be of help.

Cheers,

Cutrex

Edit to add info: I believe that there is no reliable petrol in the central axle Atar-Tidjikja-Kiffa.

Hello Cutrex,

yes, thease are the two points, see photos below. But in my understanding the "Passe de Nega" is a dune field, not high, no long but sharp.

Cheers
Ferdi

Thanks again, both of you.
I am looking forward to it! My truck is diesel now and a great performer in sand with central pressure control, big tyres and special differentials. I love deserts and have had 40 years experience driving in them.
Every bit of information is valuable and worth having.


That part of Mauritania is so good because there is hardly any people there.
I could have bought petrol in Tidjitja back then but the bloke who had the 200 litre drum in his shop kept changing the price and I didn't want to play games so I let him keep it.


Cheers, A.