Budapest-Bamako – Offroad rally raid from Budapest to West Africa

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2028 PRE-REGISTRATION. OPEN NOW.

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WHERE THEDAKAR LEFT OFF

MARATHON RALLY ACROSS AFRICA

The once legendary Dakar Rally has left one spiritual heir in Africa. The Budapest-Bamako keeps the flame of trans-Saharan driving adventures alive. The start is not Paris, the finish is not Dakar, the costs are not the same, but the experience and the spirit of adventure has not changed.

The Budapest-Bamako is a minimal assistance adventure and navigational race from Europe to Africa. The B2B is not an easy Sunday drive or picnic in the park. We have no rescue helicopters, tow trucks, translators, lawyers, tour guides or psychotherapists. You must rely on your own luck, resources and skills. One thing is certain on the Budapet-Bamako: uncertainty.

You never know what’s going to happen next. That’s adventure. The B2B is a huge community event across two continents over two weeks.

PRE REGISTER FOR 2028

2025 CELEBRATING:20 YEARS

DESTINATION: BANJUL, THE GAMBIA

In 2025 we celebrated 20 epic years in the Sahara with the Budapest-Bamako Rally. We remembered the great adventure from 2005. Many of the first rally’s veterans joined us. The distance was slightly shorter. We tried to recreate the original Budapest-Bamako route as much as possible. The finish line ceremony was held in Banjul, the Gambian capital. Apart from an almost deadly black cobra bite on someone’s testicle the event was a great success.

2026 DESTINATION:FREETOWN

SIERRA LEONE

The rally’s spiritual finish line is Bamako, Mali. But because of the political uncertainty and current security threats, we can’t drive to Mali anymore. In 2024 the Budapest-Bamako finished in Sierra Leone’s capital, Freetown. In early 2025 we agreed with the government of Sierra Leone to host the 2026 finish line in Freetown again. After a long and difficult drive enjoy the warm hospitality of Sierra Leone on the Pacific Coast of West Africa. Exotic, thrilling and welcoming. The rally will finish once again in the capital, Freetown.

ENTER NOW:2028

ENTER WHILE SPACES ARE AVAILABLE

The 2026 rally completely sold out in 3 days. We added a second group to 2026 called Adventure Extra, which also sold out in record time. The 2028 edition will sell out much faster. We still have a handful of entries left for the Pre-register for 2028 as early as possible and we will notify you when the first round of non-public registration begins.

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Frequently Asked Questions

WHAT IS THE BUDAPEST-BAMAKO?

EUROPE TO WEST AFRICA

CHECK OUT THE DETAILED ROUTE

ANYONE BY ANYTHING

JOINING THE MADNESS IS EASY

BAMAKO OR BUST

Twenty years ago the Budapest-Bamako was an insane idea. We wanted to create a low-budget, liberal version of the Dakar Rally. The main goal was that people can enter in cheap cars, old cars and no one has to drop out just because they suck. Twenty years later and after becoming a legend and an icon in amateur rally racing the Dakar Rally has instituted some of the same concepts in certain categories. We followed the leader now, we are being followed. In twenty years we have not changed our philosophy and approach. ``ANYONE. BY ANYTHING. BY ANY MEANS.`` - Andrew G. Szabo / Founder

WE LOVE JUNK

Budapst-Bamako proudly embraces the spirit of low budget adventures. We believe that if you can’t afford a decent car, you can’t afford the entry fee either. So if you drive industrial trash or any old beat up jalopy, you are in for free. Drive a funny car, an ambulance, a fire engine, a car/motorcycle that’s older than 30 years and is generally unsuitable for such a journey and you are in for free. Send us an email about why you should enter for free and we’ll get back to you promptly. The crazier the better your chances

RACING & ADVENTURE

You can enter the event in touring or racing categories. In racing you’ll have to collect points by passing navigational checkpoints. The winner will have to show consistent driving and strong navigational skills under harsh conditions. In touring you have to race against time and battle the elements.

FRIENDS. PARTIES. DESERTS.

THE POWER OF COMMUNITY

The Budapest-Bamako is about community. It’s about meeting new people. It’s about finding a helping hand when you need help. It’s about sharing meals, drinks and stories at the end of each day. It’s about sitting together by the fire each night. It’s about visiting local villages in Africa bringing gifts and learning about each other. It is about destroying stereotypes. It is also about having a good time and meeting like minded people.

CARAVANE HUMANITAIRE

Each year the rally brings 700,000-900,000 Euros worth of aid to West Africa. In recent years we’ve dug a fresh water wells in a Mauritanian, Mali and Gambia. We gave an incubator, sterilization equipment and other medical supplies to a free clinic that operated with pre-historic tools in a Bamako slum. We erected solar panels in villages, gave bicycles to women who had no transportation. We’ve built a school in Mali and Guinea-Bissau. Teams regularly give their cars as ambulances to villages. One car donated their van to the Institute For The Blind as a school bus. Charity begins in your heart. Be creative. Be generous. Each year the team performing the most outstanding charity work receives the Mother Teresa Charity Award.

LEARN ABOUT THIS YEAR’S CHARITY GOALS