Dakhla Rovers sarl

Dakhla Rovers (www.dakhla-rovers.com) was established in 2015, and operates under the Moroccan law. It aims to propose a slow-tourism, nature-based model of local development. Nicolò Calcagno and Martina Milanese are the two founders and owners of Dakhla Rovers. They are both Italian, and with a solid background in the recreational diving industry. Martina also holds a PhD in Marine Sciences and, through international collaborations stemming from several EU-funded projects, has been an active researcher for about 15 years since being awarded her PhD in 2004. Her fields of interest cover marine ecology, conservation and sustainable tourism. Nicolò and Martina arrived in Dakhla in 2009 and, after coming back every six months for about 5 years, finally settled here in 2014. As of today, they have tested and mapped different itineraries for more than 3000 km in the desert and along the coast of Dakhla. The recent past of the former Spanish Sahara, and its legacy, are the reasons why the territory around Dakhla has only marginally been exploited for tourism purposes. This has contributed to preserve its authentiticy and its considerable natural value. Dakhla Rovers targets different tourism sectors, including: kitesurfers and surfers, thanks to the collaboration with Kirsty Jones and Ali Beqquali, respectively three-times kite world champion and current Moroccan kite champion; birders and naturalists, also through specialised Tour Operators; off-road drivers, with or without own 4x4; generalists and families willing to explore, experience and discover. To date, Dakhla Rovers is the only operator in the area of Dakhla possessing a legal authorization to set up bivouacs for tourism purposes. Consistent with its slow and sustainable tourism philosophy, the bivouacs by Dakhla Rovers are mobile and temporary, only. Dakhla Rovers works with small or very small groups, usually on a tailor-made basis or through specialized Tour Operators.