The school of the Sahara.
This is not a tour operator. This is not an excursion agency. Desert Drive Academy is a school of the Sahara, founded by Ali Oubassidi to transmit — behind the wheel, in the reading of the desert, in nomadic life — what is learned nowhere else.
Training Programs
The Academy's core programs. Two disciplines, taught by Ali in private sessions.
Learn to Drive the Desert.
Master the fundamentals of desert driving under the guidance of Ali Oubassidi. Vehicle control, dune crossing, terrain reading, recovery techniques, trajectory management and rally-inspired driving methods used in real desert environments. A program designed for drivers who want to build confidence, skill and mastery in the Sahara.
- Duration
- 1 to 5 days
- Group
- 1–4 people
- Vehicles
- Toyota Prado · private fleet
- Location
- Erg Chebbi · Merzouga
Learn to Read the Desert.
Discover how professional navigators cross hundreds of kilometres of desert without roads. Roadbooks, GPS, waypoints, bearings, route planning and real-world navigation strategy used in rally competitions and desert expeditions. This program develops the ability to understand and navigate the desert with confidence.
- Duration
- 2 to 4 days
- Level
- Beginner · advanced
- Format
- Briefing · practice · video debrief
- Location
- Eastern Sahara tracks
“The desert is not visited. It is learned, line after line, dune after dune.”
Desert Experiences
Five immersions that extend the school: coaching, crossings, Berber hospitality.
One mentor, one student, one terrain.
The Academy's highest form of transmission: Ali one-on-one, on your vehicle, around your objective — performance, safety, upcoming raid. Drone debrief, video analysis, personalised progression plan.
Multi-day immersion into the Sahara.
Explore remote areas, learn desert life and travel alongside experienced guides. From 20 hours to 7 days, nomad bivouacs or nights at Ksar Bicha.
Adrenaline at the golden hour.
A dynamic desert experience focused on exploration, scenery and adrenaline. Can-Am Maverick X3, self-drive or co-driven by Ali in rally mode.
A green carved into the dune.
A signature activity inspired by the natural terrain of the desert. Unique in the world, ideal for private or corporate occasions.
Luxury desert hospitality.
The luxury desert hospitality experience, in partnership with Ksar Bicha. High-end Berber tents, dinner under the stars, gnawa music around the fire.
Tell us which dossier interests you.
Every program and every experience is built with you. Ali answers personally within 24 hours.