The Sahara may not be the largest desert on the planet – despite its 8,600,000 square kilometre expanse – but it’s certainly the most famous. Spanning almost one-third of the continent of Africa and taking in a total of 11 different countries, the Sahara offers awe-inspiring view after awe-inspiring view as well as one truly epic and iconic driving experience.
Driving the Sahara however isn’t for the faint-hearted. In addition to arming yourself with an indestructible vehicle that’s capable of surviving a drive across the desert, you’ll need extensive desert driving and mechanical experience to take on this self-drive alone. Here we share yet more top tips for driving in the Sahara so you can put safety first and relish all the thrills this incredible destination has to offer.
Remember planning makes perfect
As with any trip, planning makes perfect, but when driving the Sahara planning means survival. As one of the planet’s most intense environments, you’ll face challenge after challenge when negotiating this arid setting in your desert rig.
Plan your trip well in advance to ensure you can handle all the extremes the Sahara has to throw at you. Getting the timing of your trip right is a great place to begin. Mowgli Adventures reveals the ideal time to visit the Sahara Desert:
“The best time to visit is from October to April when the temperatures are comfortable. Sand storms start to occur during February and March. Between May and September, the Sahara Desert temperatures will soar up to 50°C. We spent a few days near Merzouga late in May and the heat took us off our feet. We couldn’t move until the sunset and temperature fell to a more reasonable 39°C.”
Planning your route should be your next port of call – you don’t want to spend your time driving around aimlessly and seeing nothing of interest! Many desert drivers take the Trans-Sahara Highway. Don’t be deceived by the fact that 85% of this road is paved, however. This 2,800-mile thoroughfare is often described as one of the most brutal roads on the planet, with many of its sections simply tyre tracks in the sand.
Put safety first with an organised trip
Self-driving this rugged desert route isn’t your only option. In fact, we’d recommend booking an organised trip to ensure the safety of you and your party.
As well as offering safety in numbers against the harsh desert conditions, travelling as a group with an experienced guide will help you avoid the security risks that are so common in this part of the world. In the desert region of Algeria, the hiring of a local escort by foreign travellers is actually required by law.
Get clued up on the local laws
Other aspects of your Sahara driving experience will be impacted by local law too. But it’s the addition of a Citizens Band (or CB) radio that’s the unlikely law breaker. CB radios are illegal in some north African countries and should be concealed well if fitted in your 4×4 or overland truck.
Upgrade with the desert in mind
To conquer such a harsh environment, you have to prepare your vehicle for every eventuality. Breaking down in the desert without the right self-recovery supplies is simply not an option.
Take recovery boards – like these ones from TRED Pro – to make sure you have the heavy-duty accessories you need for self-rescue in the toughest conditions. A winch, shovel, roof rack and protection bumpers are also must-haves for desert drivers.
Consider upgrading your fuel tank to increase fuel capacity. We sell ARB Frontier Tanks and Long Ranger products to guarantee optimum resilience for long-distance on- and off-road travel.
Keep your cool by adding a little luxury
With soaring temperatures and long, sun-scorched days, enjoying an ice-cold drink or bite to eat after a long trek is the silver lining of a Sahara drive. We stock ARB Fridge Freezers and accessories to help you enjoy off-road refrigeration and food storage whatever the weather conditions.
Boasting the next generation of portable refrigeration, ARB’s fridge freezer range has been ruggedly designed and thoroughly tested for off-road use, making them the ultimate accessories for desert drives.
Find more upgrades and accessories for your off-road trip by shopping with us today.
Image: Patrick Poendl / Shutterstock.com
