One of the most adventurous things you can do in Africa is participate in the annual Dakar Rally. Motorbikes, trucks and cars race over 7000 miles in 2 weeks through the harshest desert conditions using only their wits and maps for navigation.

Traditionally the race ran from Paris to Dakar but the starting point has changed in the past couple of years and this year's race starts on the 31st of December (2005) in Lisbon, Portugal. The drivers will bump and bounce their way through Spain, Morocco, Mali, Mauritania, Guinea and finally Dakar, the capital of Senegal.

The Dakar Rally is generally considered to be the most dangerous race on earth; only 40% of all participants make it to the finish and there are fatalities every year. For more details about the drivers, the route and the dangers faced, read my article about the Dakar Rally. You'll also find some information about low-cost alternative rallies that follow the same route, experience the same adventure, but use cars worth less than $175!