2018 Route- DESTINATION  BANJUL, THE SMILING COAST.

In 2018 the rally returns to one of the most pleasant destinations in West Africa, the newly democratic Gambia. The route is expected to be spectacular and demanding and as always, full of unexpected twists, turns and adventure. For teams in racing and 4×4 adventures the route will be stunning and very demanding. For bikers natural beauty, varied landscapes and backbreaking routes are expected.

START – BUDAPEST JANUARY 12th, 2018 (2 PM)

The rally will once again depart from one of Europe’s most beautiful cities, Budapest.

EUROPE
There will be only one extra long marathon stage in Europe. Teams will have to get to Genoa or one of the Spanish ports for the ferry crossing. Race tasks will only take place in Hungary and Slovenia on the night of the start.

MOROCCO
Spectacular mountain roads, rocky paths across the Atlas and the Sarhro will take teams to the Bani mountains and old Dakar pistes. The rally will travel on the warmer, less wet Eastern side of the country thus avoiding rain and snow. Morocco will be demanding with its complex stages but the days will be shorter giving ample time to experience and discover this amazing country.  In an around Zagora and Erg Chigaga teams will get a glimpse of touareg life and Saharan cultures before continuing onto the dirt tracks of the Sahara. The rally will spend a night around the secret thermal spring of Dakhla.

MAURITANIA
The rally will visit Mauritania’s most spectacular places with some classic destinations and pure Saharan driving.  Expect golden sand dunes, soft desert paths and fast salt flats. We’ll pass through the Banc D’Arguin National Park and return to the B2 Beach named after the rally. Extreme off-road teams and race teams will have a chance to driving from the Atar and then south along the most epic tracks of Mauritania to Tidjikja.

SENEGAL

Grassy, bushy savannas will welcome the rally in Senegal. Experience traditional African village life under ancient baobab trees as you navigate along dusty donkey tracks. Watch hippos and crocodiles in the Gambia river or visit the Simenti National Park to hang out with monkeys.

GAMBIA

The rally will pass from Senegal to the heart of the Smiling Coast and finish in the capital of Gambia.

ROUTE CHANGES AUGUST 26, 2017: We finetuned the route a little bit. We skipped a short Moroccan day. We made border crossing days easier. We added Ourzazate to Morocco, where we’ll set up a camp next to the sets of the movie Kingdom Of Heaven. We also included the Atar (Terjit Oasis) – Boutilimit stage which has never been part of the rally route. We also made Gambia more enjoyable by adding an extra day.

2018 Official Route

Please keep in mind that the stages may change any time even during the rally.

IMPORTANT: If you live in Spain, Portugal, Italy and France and don’t want to come to Budapest you may join the rally in Morocco.