Safety Tips in Western Sahara

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When you're visiting Wesern Sahara, be prepared to see lots, lots of Police- and Armyforces wherever you go. Since the country is in a state of occupation by Morocco, the Moroccan Police and Army are everywhere. In the centre of the capital Laayoune you'll see them everywhere and also in the surroundings of every city you cannot miss them.

For example, when going from just north of Laayoune towards to the coast, you first have to cross two checkpoints to get into the city, and to get to the coast from there you have to pass two other checkpoints. Everytime you have to answer the same questions: can I see you passport? What are you doing here? Where are you staying? How long are you staying? Where are you going? In the beginning this can be quiet an experience, but after the first doze of checkpoints it really gets annoying.

And as if all these forces are not enough already, you'll also see lots of UN-forces in the cities. The white jeeps hardly move; most of the times they are just parked in front of the luxurious hotels that are occupied by the UN. Officially these forces have been here since 1979 to take care of the peace-keeping.

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When leaving Morocco going towards Mauritania, during the 6 kms of no man's land there is nothing false about the signs along the "piste". There really are mines around here, so don't wander around, don't get out for a pee etc...Once on the "piste" just remember KEEP TO THE LEFT and you'll be o.k. If you think you're on the wrong track, just wait in your car until somebody overtakes, then follow. Simple !!!

All the region after the wall separating western sahara from the western sahara free of army protection is full of land mines. if you're about to leave the asfalt think twice. after the border dont think and stay on the desert track.

police in morocco advert that in western sahara you shouldnt give rides to local people in your car.
there are reports of many people getting robbed while giving rides to nice local people. you have to understand this is a very problematic region full of bandits.

year 2003 a french girl gave a ride to a moroccan guy which came with her to no mans land after moroccan police checkpoint and was stabbed to death.

if you're coming with private car give rides to tourist!!

after passing police check point and you actually go out of morocco, towards the no man land between the moroccan securitty wall and mauritanian police checkpoint, you have to be careful with people trying to kill you, rob you or just to guide you in exchange of some money, which in the middle of the trajectory can go higher (the amount of money the guide askied you in the begining) and the guy can tell you, well now, you have to give me more money or ill call my friends and youll stay here alone...

This is the road sign after 40km from Dakhla. The road heds to Mauritania.
On the sign you have written (from top):
34 Al'argub
394 Alguira
389 Nouadhibou
904 Nouakchott
1430 Dakar

This area here is right after the police check point 40km after dakhla or 40km from Dakhla comming from Layoune.
This is a place often used for people to get a ride to Mauritania (like I also did). Not so long agoo, only in the year of 2002, a french girl gave a lift to a Moroccan citizen which killed her and left her body on the neutral area between the borders of Morocco (occupied Western Sahara) and Mauritania. He robbed her everything and killed her with a knife.

Just think twice about giving a ride to someone of course. By the contrary if the people that gave me a ride would think on that, I wouldnt be going for free until Nouadhibou. Either the way they were not alone and were two guys which is quite different from a girl travelling alone giving a ride to a strange guy in Western Sahara...

Death. Happens to us all. Luckily there are some things we can do to prevent it taking us prematurely.

If you want to prevent heat exhaustion and the more lethal heat stroke, it is imperative to drink at least SIX litres of water each day to prevent dehydration.

I was nearly claimed by the unforgiving desert because of this very real danger, so, gentle friends, heed this serious advice and enjoy the beautiful scenery safely.

Even if there is a potential risk because of the conflict with the Polisario Front, the area is quite safe for the travellers, at least around El Aaiún. But it is advisable to be informed about the situation. There is also a strong military presence and controls are frequent. It is also possible that some roads are closed.