Swank Rally Tunisia - Into the desert and back

The first edition of the Swank Rally Tunisia was nothing short of amazing. A joint production from Deus Ex Machina, Adventure Riding, and enduro wizard Alessandro Botturi, the event was organized to perfection: easy enough for everyone to get stuck in and challenging enough to satisfy the lust for dirt of an expert rider. Over the course of five days, we rode 800km through the stunning desert terrain of Tunisia.

The route was a round trip through Douz, Camp Zmela, Matmata, Camp Mars, and back to Douz. From roads that stretched seemingly into eternity to the famous Sahara dunes and then onto rocky hills, it was truly a rally enthusiast's dream come true. The singular feeling of riding alone across an endless shifting sea of sand (passing the occasional shrub) will not be forgotten.

In addition to the breathtaking scenery and challenging terrain of the day, there was the unique experience of camping in the desert at night. The tents were set up in a picturesque location, with the stunning dunes providing a beautiful backdrop. Certain amenities were definitely more rustic, but the experience was worth it. The tents were cosy, and the atmosphere was warm and welcoming. We gathered around the table for a typical Tunisian meal, sharing stories and recounting stories of the day.

A slightly left-of-field but still essential part of a tour through Tunisia is paying a visit to the famous Star Wars movie set in Matmata. The iconic underground houses that the region is known for we're transformed into Luke Skywalkers home on Tatooine, a worthwhile detour!

As always the trip was defined as much by the crew as the landscape. It's hard not to develop comradery when your surrounded by people who share a love for adventure riding. That’s a very Swank Rally thing - no matter if you’re a career champion or it's your first time riding on the sand, we’re all in the same adventure. It’s not about the competition, it’s about the experience.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank our sponsors Yamaha, Dunlop, and GNV for their support. Without their help, this event would not have been possible. We also want to thank all the participants who joined us on this incredible journey. Your enthusiasm and energy made the first edition of the Swank Rally Tunisia an unforgettable adventure.

photo by @rally.pov