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The Dakar Rally is one of the most famous annual rally raids in the world. It was originally a rally from Paris to Dakar in Senegal across the Sahara on the coastal route. The original route is fascinating, and the landscapes are majestic. The end country, Senegal, is one of the most tourist-friendly countries in West Africa. At the same time, Morocco is one of the best countries to explore the Sahara Desert.
For those who can afford it, the Dakar Rally is the ultimate desert road trip (now in Saudi Arabia). With the Dakar Rally, people get to discover some of the least visited and remote deserts in the world. Another great (and much more achievable) place for adventurous desert road trips is Namibia - in fact, Namibia is one of the best countries in the world to explore with a self-driven road trip.
Routes & Destinations Of The Dakar Rally
The Dakar Rally (formerly called the "Paris-Dakar Rally") first started in 1979. The first rally took place in 1979, with 182 vehicles participating and only 74 surviving the mammoth trip. Today the rally attracts around a thousand riders.
For most of its history, the rally went from Paris, France, to Dakar, Senegal. But in 2008, the security situation in Mauritania (which was on the route) deteriorated. The rally was therefore canceled in 2008, and from 2009 to 2019, the rallies were held in South America.
- First Route: Paris, France to Dakar, Senegal
- Next Route: Ḥaʼil to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- First Race: 1979
Regions Of The World:
- Europe & Africa: 1979 to 2007
- South America: 2009 to 2019
- Saudi Arabia: 2020 to 2023
The conservative Kingdom of Saudi Arabia had long been closed to international tourism. But in 2019, Saudi Arabia flung its doors open to tourism. In 2020, the rally moved to Saudi Arabia crossing its very impressive deserts that few international tourists ever see. The next Dakar Rally is also planned to be held in Saudi Arabia.
Participating In The Next Dakar Rally
Anyone can participate in the Dakar Rally - in fact, amateurs typically make up around 80% of the participants. The only condition for people to enter the Dakar Rally is that participants need to be at least 18 years old. However, the 2-week long event is very exhausting and draining - everyone needs to be very fit and strong. The goal of the rally is to have both professionals and amateurs participating together on the same rally and route.
- Who Can Participate: Anyone Over 18 Years Of Age
While anyone can enter, it is one of the most expensive rallies in the world. The costs are complicated and vary on if one is bringing a car, motorcycle, or even truck. But participants can expect to pay 10s of thousands of dollars. See the breakdown of fees on their website.
- Cost To Participate: Many Thousands of Dollars (10s to 100s Of Thousands)
The rally is one of the greatest off-road endurance events in the world. The terrain is tough, and participants typically need well-performing off-road vehicles and motorcycles (they are much better than modified on-road vehicles). Only bikes and quads are subject to a selection.
What To Know Of The Next Saudi Arabia Dakar Rally
The route typically includes special sections that include dune crossings, mud, camel grass, rocky terrain, and other types of challenging terrain. Distances covered in a day can range from short distances to as much as 500 to 600 miles (or 800 to 900 kilometers).
The next Dakar Rally is due to be held in Saudi Arabia from December 31, 2022, to January 15, 2023. It will be made up of 14 stages.
- Stages: 14 Stages
- Dates: December 31, 2022, to January 15, 2023
- Distance: Over 5,000 Kilometers or 3,100 Miles
Over the course of the upcoming Saudi Arabia Dakar Rally, the participants will cover well over 5,000 kilometers or 3,100 miles. Participants sleep out in the desert under canvas in a bivouac with the other contenders. But everyone sleeps soundly as everyone needs to get up hours before dawn and will be finishing the day long after sunset.
So for anyone wanting the ultimate sport and off-roading road trip, consider participating in the next Dakar Rally (only dig deep to pay for it, and don't expect one's vehicle to be in good condition after the race).