Western Sahara Inland
 

Hi

We plan travelling from Zagora to Dakhla Off Road in two LR Disco 1 , March 2016

Where can we find Diesel / Water Inland south of Samara ?

Thanks

Maurice

There looks to be a reasonable sized settlement at Guelta Zammur, so very likely fuel will be available here and there is a fuel station further South at Awsard, but this is South of Dakhla.


Looks like a great trip, enjoy!

I hate to put a dampener on things, but I wouldn't count on finding fuel inland off the main coast road anywhere, unless you happen to have permission to be inside the polisario controlled zone, where you might find UN fuel supplies! I don't believe there is civilian access as far east as Zemmour or Aousserd, whether google earth indicates a sizeable settlement or not. Of course, I stand to be corrected by anyone who's been there - I have only travelled the ex Dakar pistes. We ran alongside a local guy in a Toyota who was heading to Bir Anzarane, and he had just filled several oil drums with diesel at the fuel station at Lemsid, suggesting there is no reliable source of fuel at Bir Ans. either.
As there is little appreciable deep sand, you shouldn't have excessive fuel consumption so jerrycan fuel stores should be a viable option.
Enjoy the trip, but PLEASE be careful to stick to tracks or areas of SOLID rock. There were posts on here some time back detailing a couple of routes Florence of Arabia used, with minefields marked. This could really spoil your day! Do plenty of research, then do some more!
Drive safe,
Simon.

I'm planning to do the same route sometime in the near future but expect to be self sufficient for fuel between Smara and Dhakla.

Vrecha probably has the best/most upto date info about potential fuel sources of anyone posting regularly but I've not seen him actively posting recently here or anywhere else

Inland, only at Smara.

I often travel in the region and I carry 4 20l. jerricans

Awsard has a reliable fuel station for civil use.
Bir Anzarane not (but can change in near future).
I saw a small pump in BouCraa but didn't stop and investigate as I didn't need fuel.

Apart from that, you can buy fuel from military at all larger bases (Guelta Zemmour, OumDreyga, Baggary, BirAnzarane, Awsard, Tichla, BirGandouz) if in urgent need. They will gladly help if you approach them with a right attitude. But relying in advance on military supplies to provide any logistic for your touristic pleasure is unethical according to my opinion.

For drinkable water, there are some reliable sources in the area you (maurice joyce) intend to visit: Bir Almatfsiyah, OumDreyga and Awsard area plus one not far from BouCraa for which I unfortunately forgot the name. There are many other wells in this area, some even with termal water, but water is mostly undrinkable.

Consult the Gandini guide for the area, there are lots of useful information there about where to go and which places to avoid. It is intentionally a bit biased regarding the cultural and historical info, but technically is a very good guidebook. I once set off to write a review of it, but stopped after the introduction (still here, if you are interested to read).

Sorry for a late reply.
Hope to meet someday in Western Sahara, inland!

Thank You all for your reply and info

We leave Dublin 9th March and plan to reach Dakhla 26th
Our Discoveries both are 1998 300tdi

What can go wrong !!!

Hope for the best !

Maurice

beerbeer

Be sure to have a great trip and keep us updated with the trip, I migt be doing the same in October this year

we are leaving the Uk on the 26th of March and hope to be at Camping Bedouin north of Layyone 2/3rd of April!
Discovery 2!

Hi

We leave Dublin March 9th and drive through UK as ferry direct to France is not running this week , we plan to be in Dakhla 26th March and then head north by road

Facebook page Dublin Dakar is set up so we will try update
It currently has photo of previous trips up on it

Good Luck Disco 2 bier

Maurice

Following your Facebook updates, looks like you guys are having a great trip (seeing snow on the Atlas made me very jealous).

Looks like you've made it to Dahkla already. can't wait for the full trip report :)