5-Day Sahara & Atlantic Tour from Dakhla: the Aousserd road

A full day south of town. The White Dune sits where the sand runs straight into the lagoon. Imlili is stranger: a scatter of deep pools in open desert holding fish isolated there for thousands of years.

• Morning departure south along the lagoon
• The White Dune, where the sand meets the water
• Time to swim, or to walk the dune ridge
• The pools at Imlili and their isolated tilapia
• Picnic lunch in the desert
• The natural hot springs at Asmaa
• Return to Dakhla in the late afternoon

Overnight in Dakhla.

Inland on the Aousserd road, which runs east into open hamada. It is the best chance of wildlife on the trip: dorcas gazelle, desert foxes, and the migratory birds that use this stretch of coast.

• Early departure east on the Aousserd road
• Open hamada and acacia country
• Watch for dorcas gazelle and desert birdlife
• Stop at a nomad encampment where one is in place
• Picnic lunch under the acacias
• Return west toward the coast
• Evening at leisure in Dakhla

Overnight in Dakhla.

A long coastal run north, following the empty Atlantic road where the desert meets the sea in a line of low cliffs. Around four and a half hours each way, so this is a day for the road itself.

• Early departure north on the coast road
• The cliffs and fishing camps along the Atlantic
• Boujdour and its lighthouse above the harbour
• Lunch at the port
• The beaches south of the town
• Return along the coast in afternoon light

Overnight in Dakhla.

A gentler last day on the Atlantic side of the peninsula, with time on the water before the drop-off.

• Morning on the lagoon: kitesurfing, paddleboard or a boat trip
• The oyster farms and a tasting on the water
• Lunch on the lagoon shore
• Porto Rico beach and the cliffs south of town
• Time at leisure before departure

Afternoon drop-off in Dakhla, or transfer to the airport.