The Africa Eco Race has outlined the route for its 18th edition, taking participants from Tangier to Dakar from 24 January to 6 February 2027, with reconnaissance teams finalising the remaining details.
Registration closes on 1 December 2026. Organisers say some categories are already full, with waiting lists available for prospective entrants.
The 2027 event will offer approximately 4,000 kilometres of special stages for Modern Race competitors and 3,000 kilometres for Historic Race entrants, combining navigation, endurance and competition on the journey to Senegal.
From Tangier to Lac Rose
Starting in Tangier on 24 January, the route heads south through Morocco and the deserts of Mauritania before reaching Dakar, with the finish scheduled for the shores of Lac Rose on 6 February.
The published itinerary includes Meknes, Erfoud, M’Hamid, Assa, Laayoune and Dakhla, where a rest day is scheduled for 30 January. The route then continues through Aghouinit, Tabrankout, Teveritt and Mpal before the final destination in Senegal.
Organisers describe a caravan of more than 400 vehicles and 800 people, bringing professional competitors and passionate amateurs together with the shared goal of reaching Dakar.
Different ways to experience the adventure
The event offers competitive and non-competitive formats to accommodate different vehicles, experience levels and ambitions.
- Modern Race: The full competition format, combining performance, navigation and rankings, with categories for cars, motorcycles, quads, SSVs and trucks.
- Historic Race: A format for vehicles built before 2007, with car and truck categories combining regularity, speed and navigation sections.
- Raid Evo: A stepping stone towards competition, designed to introduce participants to the demands of rally-raid before progressing to Modern Race.
- Raid Travel: A discovery-focused journey to Dakar without the pressure of timed competition.
Support along the route
According to the organisers, the 2027 entry package includes return vehicle transport, the participant crossing from Europe to Morocco in a shared cabin with meals, Mauritanian visa arrangements, customs and border formalities, and green card insurance for Mauritania and Senegal.
Access to the route and bivouacs is included, together with breakfast, lunch packs and dinner at the bivouacs throughout the rally. The package also provides medical coverage, repatriation assistance and the organiser’s civil liability insurance.
Mandatory MARLINK/ERTF tracking and safety equipment is included, although mounting kits are excluded. Fuel provision varies by vehicle category: motorcycles and quads receive fuel on special stages, at bivouacs and on selected liaison sections, while SSV provision covers special stages and selected liaisons.
Prospective entrants should consult the full entry details for the provisions applicable to their chosen category.
Preserving African rally-raid heritage
The Africa Eco Race was founded by Jean-Louis Schlesser, Hubert Auriol and René Metge to preserve the spirit of the original African rally-raid adventure.
Schlesser, winner of the Paris–Dakar in 1999 and 2000, continues to direct the event, where navigation, endurance and the human experience remain central to the challenge.
Organisers have also highlighted a 12-minute documentary, Sahara Chapter by Chapter, offering a wordless, cinematic introduction to the event.
Registration closes on 1 December
Entries remain open until 1 December 2026. Where categories have reached capacity, applicants can complete the waiting-list form when selecting their category on the registration platform.
For entry information, visit www.africarace.com or email