The Tunisian Minister of Tourism, Soufiane Tekaya, officially launched the fourth edition of the Tunisie Challenge, which will take place from 9 to 18 October 2024. In his address, Tekaya emphasised the significance of the rally starting from Cap Angela for the first time, “considered the gateway to Africa”, and highlighted “the great opportunity that hosting such an event represents for the country”.
This year’s edition is packed with exciting new features, aimed at enhancing the adventurous spirit of the challenge and exploring new horizons. Major modifications have been made to both the design of the itinerary and the routes. Two completely new stages have been added, along with three extensively revamped ones, increasing the overall level of difficulty. The extended length of the stages promises to make this a challenging and unforgettable experience for the seventy participating teams.
This fourth edition promises to be the most diverse in terms of terrain. The event began along the northern coast of Tunisia, where participants were able to enjoy stunning landscapes, including cliffs, white sandy beaches with crystal-clear waters, and towering coastal dunes, offering challenges similar to those they will later encounter in the desert.
The competition started at the northernmost point of the African continent, Cap Angela, near the city of Bizerte, where vehicle inspections were also carried out. From there, the route extends southwards through Tunisia, finishing, as tradition dictates, on the island of Djerba. This entirely new itinerary is one of the most varied ever designed, following a north-to-south path.
To reach the edge of the desert, participants will have to cross plains, dry rivers and lakes, canyons, and the first sandy tracks. The route will also pass through iconic locations from the legendary Star Wars film series, as well as several sites of great historical and cultural significance. The Tunisie Challenge will then enter the Grand Erg Oriental, where teams will face all the difficulties and challenges presented by the dunes.