The least populated country in the world

Duration:

10 – 15 days starting and ending in Laayoune (W. Sahara). If starting with 4×4 already in Marrakech min 21 days is required for this kind of tour.

Means of transportation:

4×4 vehicle, on foot, camel (option).

Transfer Europe-Marrakesh or Europe-Casablanca-Laayoune (round trip by plane).

Highlights:

Experiencing the total solitude and peace of le grand desert, very varied in its topographic characteristics. Visiting the camel and goat herders of the remote Adrar-Souttouf and Tiris regions where very few tourists have ever been. Discovering paleo- and neolithic artifacts, gravures, preislamic tombs, fishing in the Atlantic with the local fishermen, visiting mussel collectors, beautiful Atlantic beaches, swimming and body-surfing, enjoying the wonderful scenery of Dakhla lagoon, relaxing in Iraifia stunning hot springs.

The story behind:

Western Sahara was the last bit of Sahara »discovered« by white men less than a century ago. Western Sahara used to be a Spanish colony. Since 1975 it is occupied by Morocco. There are very few original inhabitants – the nomadic Saharawis – still living in Western Sahara. Most of them live in refugee camps around Tindouf (Algeria) for more than 30 years now. Morocco controls some 80% of the West Saharan territory while the rest is in the hands of Polisario – the national liberation front of the Saharawi people. The Moroccans are not very nice to Saharawis, to say the least. Their control of borders and cities is discreet but nevertheless harsh. However, all the rest, the vast West Saharan desert is de facto left to Saharawis, who live their nomadic lives more or less as they always used to. Didi’s father for example manages a huge herd of 1.500 camels, other members of his family have large herds of goats.

Food:

Lots of rice and pasta, camel and goat milk, camel and goat meat, fruit and vegetables in modest quantities, fresh fish, shrimps and mussels, very sweet tea. Water is mostly drinkable.