After receiving the official permission for the excavation and the required sponsorship, the first excavation expedition took place in March and April of 2007 in the Republic of Niger. Almost the entire equipment had to be brought to Africa from Germany. Two large transport vehicles packed with medicines, repair materials for the cars, glue and hardener, and other equipment needed for the excavation of fossils and the well-being of the team started on their way to Africa.
The expedition team split up, a number of people flew to Africa; however five people, including Prof. Joger drove to Africa with the off-road expedition trucks. The way through central Sahara was not an option though; terrorist attacks led to a ban on the area. So they had to take the long way, 10000 km through Spain, Morocco, Mauritania and Mali to Niger.