AFRICA ECO RACE 2025: The route unveiled!

Participants who know the Sahara Desert also know it isn’t a uniform expanse of sand. Instead, it offers incredible diversity, with a wide range of landscapes and panoramas for competitors to enjoy. Adventurers in this rally raid will need to expand their vocabulary to describe the terrains they’ll encounter: surfing the ergs, speeding across the chotts, preserving their vehicles on the ergs, weaving between barkhans, climbing djebels and adrars, crossing sandy oueds, and navigating the traps of fech-fech.

These challenges and more form the 2025 route of the world’s largest trans-border and transcontinental rally raid.

Here’s a look at what lies ahead for competitors in the auto, moto, quad, SSV, and truck categories, as well as participants in the Historic and Raid categories (auto and moto):

 

 

Stage 1: 755 km, including 47 km of special stage.
The adventure begins as soon as the ferry docks in Tangier on December 31. A short but challenging first special stage near Kenitra will reacquaint competitors with rally driving on winding tracks demanding full attention. Northern Morocco’s landscapes, from the Middle Atlas Mountains and cedar forests to high plateaus, will unfold before reaching the first bivouac in Tarda, where the New Year will be celebrated at the gateway to the desert.

Stage 2: 357 km, including 319 km of special stage.

Competitors will head deeper into southern Morocco towards Tagounite, with a mix of fast and rugged tracks in the desert. This stage introduces sand, stones, and the first dune cordon, along with initial navigation challenges. It’s a day that embodies the philosophy of the Africa Eco Race.

Stage 3: 547 km, including 453 km of special stage.

The route heads to Touizgui Oasis for a long special stage featuring diverse terrains: sandy paths near the famous Erg Cheggaga, the flat chotts of Irikki, and rocky tracks shaped by recent rains. Some of these trails are entirely new to the Africa Eco Race.

Stage 4: 507 km, including 495 km of special stage.

The fourth stage takes competitors to Laayoune, offering breathtaking Moroccan landscapes. Competitors will traverse from east to west across the Smara and Laayoune regions. The mountainous terrain gives way to vast desert expanses with no landmarks on the horizon, providing thrilling driving and challenging navigation.

Stage 5: 633 km, including 435 km of special stage.

The final Moroccan stage leads the caravan through southern Morocco’s typical desert scenery, including dunes and fast tracks over flat, hard-packed sand. Competitors will reach Dakhla for a well-deserved rest day, although teams will still need to prepare for Mauritania.

Stage 6: 704 km, including 172 km of special stage

The second part of the rally begins on January 6 with an (extremely) early liaison to the Guerguerat border post. Competitors will cross into Mauritania to reach the start of the special stage leading to Benichab, the site of the first Mauritanian bivouac. This selective section alternates between rocky and sandy terrain, skirting the Banc d’Arguin without entering it. Also on the agenda: pure and challenging navigation in complete off-road conditions. Welcome to Mauritania!

 

Stage 7: 468 km, including 392 km of special stage

The following day, competitors head to Amodjar, near Atar, for a stage as eagerly anticipated as it is feared. Sand, dunes, demanding navigation, and scorching heat—everything participants signed up for! A large dune section awaits at the start of the special stage, leaving Benichab and giving way to fast tracks leading to the railway used by the world’s longest train. The second part of the timed section features another massive dune part.

Stage 8: 356 km, including 351 km of special stage

New for this edition: two loops starting from Amodjar allow competitors to fully explore this region, rich in African rally history. They will spend three nights at the same bivouac, a novelty on the Africa Eco Race, simplifying logistics for competitors and assistance teams. The first loop leads participants to the Adrar plateau, towards Ouadane and its “Eye of the Desert.” Sand and corrugated tracks will dominate the day. For those in the Historic category, this stage introduces the 2025 novelty: the "Legend Stage," whose specifics will be shared during the briefing the night before.

Stage 9: 447 km, including 400 km of special stage

The next day, the second special loop starting and ending at Amodjar is named after “René”, in tribute to René Metge. This legendary figure in African rallies and co-founder of the Africa Eco Race passed away on January 3, 2024. Competitors will head towards Azarane, still in the Adrar region, for a mythical stage in a territory René held dear. According to Manfred Kroiss, Sporting Director of the Africa Eco Race, it’s “probably the most beautiful stage of this edition.” Although the general layout of this loop has been used in previous editions, new tracks have been added at the start of the selective section, leading competitors into untouched dunes deep within Mauritania’s wilderness. The return journey also includes new tracks, heading towards Chinguetti, the “Sorbonne of the Desert,” known for its ancient manuscripts. This ninth stage promises breathtaking landscapes and emotional moments, keeping René Metge in the hearts of competitors and organizers alike.

Stage 10: 460 km, including 410 km of special stage

Competitors head to Nouakchott for the 10th stage, featuring extensive navigation and sandy terrain. Dunes will appear early in the special stage, transitioning into a succession of sandy tracks. A challenging pass must be crossed before more dune cords with soft sand. This over-400-km stage marks the final one in Mauritania.

 

Stage 11: 419 km, including 75 km of special stage

Another new feature of the Africa Eco Race: Stage 11 takes competitors across the border into Senegal for a unique special stage in the Sahelian savanna. This day will likely determine the final rankings. The sandy special stage offers a safari-like experience with tricky tracks winding between baobabs and acacias. The Mauritanian off-road sections give way to unmarked paths that constantly crisscross, presenting a different navigational challenge from Mauritania. Final standings will be confirmed at the Mpal bivouac after this stage.

 

Stage 12: 250 km, including 23 km of special stage

The final stage includes a liaison to the traditional group start on the beach for a 23-km “glory run,” as rankings will already be determined. The finish line awaits on the shores of Lac Rose, marking the triumphant end of an exceptional 2025 edition of the Africa Eco Race.

 

"We’ve crafted an exceptional route that combines all the ingredients of the Africa Eco Race’s DNA: self-transcendence, adventure, discovery, commitment, solidarity, and camaraderie, all set across varied terrains reflecting the immense diversity of the environments we traverse. We’ve introduced numerous new elements, enriching and renewing the experience for participants. From new tracks and starting zones to a double loop in Mauritania and the Senegalese special stage, this route offers something entirely different for our regular competitors. The entire team is eager to welcome everyone in a month in Monaco to launch what promises to be a memorable adventure for all," says Jean-Louis Schlesser, Director of the Africa Eco Race.