The Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles du Maroc is a rally raid held every year in Morocco. This rally is unique in that it's reserved for women and isn't focused on speed. The goal of the rally is to reach as many checkpoints as possible while covering the shortest possible distance, using only a compass, a ruler, and a map to navigate.
The 35th edition of the rally took place from March 27 to April 11, 2026, with an official start from Nice and a spectacular finish in Essaouira for the prize-giving. Held under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, this edition once again brought together hundreds of women from around the world to take on the challenge of the Moroccan Sahara.
The Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles du Maroc: An Extraordinary Adventure
The Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles du Maroc is far more than a simple motor race. It's a unique human adventure that brings together women from all over the world in the majestic Moroccan Sahara. This rally-raid, created in 1990, offers an original and eco-responsible concept, far from the traditional clichés of motor racing.
Here, no speed, no GPS, just old-fashioned navigation, off-road, with a compass, a ruler, and a map.
The goal? To reach a maximum of markers each day while covering as few kilometres as possible. A challenge that demands tenacity, willpower, and above all a great bond between the participants, known as "Gazelles."
The 2026 Route: From Nice to Essaouira
The 2026 edition offered a rich and varied route, alternating dunes, ergs, rocky tracks, and technical passages:
- Technical checks in Nice, then in Erfoud, the gateway to the desert
- Official start from Nice
- Prologue to ease the competition into gear
- 6 navigation stages, including 2 Marathon stages (stages 4 and 6) where the Gazelles spend the night self-sufficiently, far from the main bivouac
- Finish and prize-giving in Essaouira, an iconic coastal town
A Committed and Responsible Event
The Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles du Maroc is proud to be the only rally-raid in the world certified to the ISO 14001 environmental standard. The event is part of a CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) approach focused on women's empowerment and respect for the countries crossed. It highlights strong values such as solidarity, perseverance, and female courage.
Since its creation, the rally has always been innovative in terms of environmental respect. The organisation is committed to preserving the natural sites crossed and to respecting the local populations. At the bivouac, waste is sorted, recycled, or incinerated.
The Experience of a Lifetime
Described as one of the adventures to do at least once in your life by Lonely Planet, the Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles du Maroc offers an unforgettable experience. It's a total immersion in the great open spaces of Morocco, where every dune becomes a challenge and every landscape a reward. Orienteering takes on its full meaning, and every marker reached represents a victory and a moment of pride.
Taking part in the Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles du Maroc means embarking on an adventure that transforms you. It's a unique chance to surpass yourself, to discover yourself, and to build strong bonds with the other participants.
Results of the 2026 Edition: The Podiums
The 35th edition of the Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles du Maroc crowned talented crews in every category. With the notable presence of Moroccan Gazelles on several podiums, this edition confirmed the international dimension and the Moroccan roots of the event.
4×4 Podium
🥇 198 🇲🇦 Jawhara BENNANI / 🇲🇦 Dounia BENNANI (GREAT WALL MOTORS MAROC)
🥈 130 🇫🇷 Laetitia ESTIVAL / 🇫🇷 Cyndie CHRISTAUD
🥉 242 🇨🇭 Carine RANDIN / 🇨🇭 Mélanie GROGNUZ (Alcord Construction et Co SA)
First-Participation Challenge (4×4) 🥇 106 🇫🇷 Stéphanie JARQUE / 🇫🇷 Céline CHANCEL
🇲🇦 Moroccan victory: For the second edition in a row, Jawhara Bennani takes the top of the 4×4 podium, this time alongside Dounia Bennani, in the colours of Great Wall Motors Maroc. A source of national pride.
Quad / SSV Podium
🥇 39 🇫🇷 Elisabeth (Betty) KRAFT / 🇫🇷 Celia MASCART (POLARIS FRANCE)
🥈 22 🇨🇭 Véronique DE SYBOURG-SIFFERT / 🇨🇭 Alix DE SYBOURG
🥉 40 🇫🇷 Axelle MASSON / 🇫🇷 Anaïs FREY (Gold Conseil)
First-Participation Challenge (SSV / Quad)
🥇 30 🇨🇭 Alexandra SAVIGNY / 🇨🇭 Blanche TSCHANTZ (Perla Blue)
SSV Challenge
🥇 22 🇨🇭 Véronique DE SYBOURG-SIFFERT / 🇨🇭 Alix DE SYBOURG
Crossover / Dacia Podium
🥇 306 🇫🇷 Sabine CALLOT / 🇫🇷 Marie-Pierre MOYNE PAGENOT HATTENVILLE (SABINE et MELANIE)
🥈 300 🇫🇷 Anaïs CUSSIGH / 🇫🇷 Noémie DROGNON (JFC AUTOMOBILES)
🥉 302 🇲🇦 Sara BOUMALIK / 🇲🇦 Siham GOUMAIRI (Dacia Maroc)
First-Participation Challenge (Crossover)
🥇 300 🇫🇷 Anaïs CUSSIGH / 🇫🇷 Noémie DROGNON (JFC AUTOMOBILES)
E-Gazelle Podium
🥇 603 🇫🇷 Armelle MEDARD LANG / 🇫🇷 Cindy RIBEIRO (ALYZIA)
🥈 602 🇫🇷 Marie-Françoise RABHI / 🇫🇷 Emilie SCHEUR (Crédit Mutuel Savoie-Mont Blanc)
🥉 600 🇫🇷 Noeline MAAS RHANNOU / 🇲🇦 Fairouz LAOUKILI DE MATTEO (CulturA)
First-Participation Challenge (E-Gazelles)
🥇 602 🇫🇷 Marie-Françoise RABHI / 🇫🇷 Emilie SCHEUR (Crédit Mutuel Savoie-Mont Blanc)
A Caring and Inspiring Community
One of the greatest strengths of the Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles du Maroc is the solidarity that unites the participants. These women, aged from 18 to 71, from all walks of life and all nationalities, support and help one another throughout the adventure.
The rally is also an opportunity to make exceptional encounters and to forge lasting bonds. Many Gazelles testify to the profound impact this experience has had on their lives, both personally and professionally.
Here are a few testimonials from Gazelles who took part in the Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles du Maroc:
Linda Dommée (Project Manager, France): "The rally gave me so much! On site, the first feelings are of feeling alive, free, and yourself. Forgotten are my extra kilos, my years, my aches, my obligations. Only one thing to worry about: moving in the right direction."
Nathalie Breton (Mother of 2 young men, Montreal, Quebec): "Surpassing yourself, stepping out of your comfort zone, being determined — these are the words most used to describe this rally… It's also an experience and feelings that can't be explained in words. The Rally has to be lived, with others, but above all with yourself…"
Maria Giraldo (Engineer, mother of 2 children, Colombia): "The rally changed my life. After living this human and sporting experience, I'm a different woman. Now I think every problem has a solution, I'm more courageous, more creative."
One Rally, Three Pillars of Commitment
The Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles du Maroc rests on three strong pillars of commitment:
- Women's empowerment: The rally was created to shine a light on the potential of women and to encourage them to surpass themselves. It offers a unique space for self-expression where they can take risks, demonstrate leadership, and push back their limits.
- Environmental performance: The rally is ISO 14001 certified and is committed to minimising its impact on the environment. Concrete actions are put in place to reduce CO2 emissions, save water, manage waste, and respect biodiversity.
- Support for host territories and populations: The rally works in close collaboration with the local communities and is committed to having a positive impact on the regions crossed. The Cœur de Gazelles association sets up charitable actions, notably a medical caravan, educational projects, and environmental-awareness initiatives.
Join the Adventure in 2027!
The next edition of the Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles du Maroc is already in preparation. Whether you're an experienced driver or a novice seeking self-improvement, this adventure is made for you. You can choose to take part in a 4×4, an SSV, a Crossover, or in the electric version with the E-Gazelles category.
If you're ready to forge your own path, to redefine your limits, to overcome obstacles, and to dare to take on the adventure, then join the great family of Gazelles!
- Visit the rally's official website : rallyeaichadesgazelles.com
- Request information about becoming a Gazelle in 2027: Formulaire d'inscription
- Follow the rally on Instagram: @rallyeaichadesgazelles
Join the community: #JoinTheGazelles #RAG27
More Than a Rally, a Philosophy
The Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles du Maroc is far more than a simple race. It's a celebration of the strength and determination of women. It's an invitation to push back your limits, to connect with nature, and to live a unique and unforgettable experience.
