Meeting at the Hotel Barbas, Bir Gandouz, Morocco on Friday 16th February 2026 for what might be the final run. If you have done the Dakar Challenge then you know this 1* luxury place. If not prepare yourselves ! Teams starting from England, Portugal and France participating so it is possible to buddy up with them on the way down. Some in their own 4x4s driving home afterwards, some pushing on further towards Ghana or others  donating vehicles in Mauritania. Basically bring a 4×4 with high and low ration and we can accommodate your requirements. 2026 is possibly the last run so lets go out ion a blaze of dust.

Once at the tricky Mauritanian border you will have assistance from Dahid the challenges trusted Desert guide. Challenge HQ and Dahid will have sent you paperwork in advance to help speed up this difficult crossing. Then it is into the desert for real. Dahid makes sure you won’t get lost but cannot guarantee you won’t get stuck. He also puts on an awesome BBQ too. This is an epic adventure. 

The sand job 4×4 challenge takes a much deeper route into the Mauritanian desert.To the eye of the Sahara. Driving up and over sand dunes and going through “that tunnel”. Visiting Terjit, the hot spring oasis, and Chinguetti Library is like being transported into another time. Also riding as a foot passenger on top of the Iron Ore train from Zouerat to Choum. (The huge train that delivered the cars). It’s dusty and pretty uncomfortable but definitely a bucket list tick. Bring snow Goggles and and a scarf. The whole Mauritanian experience is like being immersed into something you’re not going to find in any other place on the Planet. Watching the sunset and sunrise in the wilderness alongside or at times on top of a sand dune. Breathtaking and bonkers all rolled into one.

Due to the rough terrain this is a 4×4 event only. With finishing drop off points in Mauritania at Nouakchott Airport (And the Gambia) Entrants from all over the world are welcome.

From the UK it is a distance of about 3500 miles so a rusty but fairly trusty 4×4 with high / low ration box is a must. Aircon is recommended as it will get very hot on a daily basis (as shown by Richard Hammond). Sand ladders are a must for where we are going there will be no roads.

With a bedouin charity lined up at the end for vehicle donation and indeed anything you leave in your vehicle. Exit formalities taken care of in advance. This is another have a lot of fun and make a bit of difference car challenge.

Or as already mentioned drive home, on to The Gambia or even further with other participants down to Ghana. 

As always this is not a rally or a race. It is a bunch of like minded people all driving in the same direction, all looking out for each other making sure we all make it to the end.This is why it’s called a challenge! Minimum age 17. Open to all nationalities. Maximum 3 persons per car.Travel light. Leaving at least 1 spare seat for potential new passenger should another team have car issues.

You will technically have no support or backup and mechanical knowledge is supplied via each other. Though Dahid has a hi lux and can assist by dashing off to the next village for bits. The advantage of going with a group is that help is at hand if your car dies. In the desert we MUST  stick together. Theres isn’t really a road book but a day to day schedule of what to achieve. Though everything must stay fluid.. iI can give you advise on where to go and what visas and paperwork you will need. Some 4×4 mud / sand driving experience will aid you for this sandy adventure of a life time in your one step from the scrapyard 4×4. 

If you have a bit more time and fancy a beach holiday at the end then push on down to The Gambia. via the Zebrabar in Senegal then onto Dakar like the loons did. Then a short hop over on the Barra ferry will deliver you the smiling Sunshine Coast of The Gambia. With end user charity and exit formalities taken care if required.

Limited to 15 Vehicles, see costs page for registration fees.

(Desert guide Dahid, Train and BBQ extra payable on arrival) Possible 3rd party car buying service available for those flying in (friend and ex participant of the challenges)