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- Brief description
- Basic Information
- Program
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- Stories from Mauritania
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Brief description
We have thoroughly explored all regions and sites in Mauritania included in our itinerary to create a balanced and well-crafted program that meets our travelers' expectations.
While we typically don't label our trips as expeditions, our journey to Mauritania truly deserves this title due to its adventurous nature. We'll venture deep into the country by jeep, camp in the wilderness, and navigate mostly non-existent or challenging roads. This is an authentic adventure in a wild, sparsely populated land where the locals' way of life has remained largely unchanged for centuries. Mauritania is a destination for those seeking an untamed and genuine experience.
Our itinerary encompasses the country's most significant and fascinating places. These include Nouakchott, the capital, home to Mauritania's largest camel and livestock market, as well as the country's largest fish harbor and market. We'll also visit Matmata, a picturesque canyon that houses the Sahara's only remaining crocodiles.
We'll stop at the remote desert town of Tijikja for a brief exploration. In the Terjit Oasis, we'll hike trails, swim in mineral springs, and try our hand at rock climbing. We'll delve into the mysteries of the ancient cities of Chinguetti and Ouadane, exploring their libraries of ancient texts and old mosques. Our journey will take us to the "Eye of the Sahara," a remarkable geological structure, and to caves adorned with ancient drawings.
Our expedition will traverse the Sahara desert, revealing some of the world's most dramatic landscapes—vast canyons, rocky fields, extensive dunes (where we'll spend a night), oases, and savannas. We'll experience almost all types of desert habitats and natural phenomena.
The trip culminates on the Atlantic shore, where we'll relax on an exotic beach and savor a meal at a charming fish restaurant.
Notes: This adventure might include a ride on the famous iron ore train. If all participants express a desire to ride the train, the program and price will be adjusted accordingly. For more details, please contact us.
This travelogue is from our exploratory trip to Mauritania in February 2023.
All photos are from our trips through the country.
Basic Information
Travel period: November - March (winter months);
Dates: 30 January - 9 February 2025; 20 - 30 November 2025;
Duration: 8 nights / 11 days;
Group: 5 -7 people;
Price per person for a group with a tour leader from the agency, excluding plane tickets: 2,400 Euro/person (for a group of 7 people). If the group is smaller, the price will increase slightly accordingly.
Price includes:
Guides/drivers: Tour leader from the Agency (Pavel) and local drivers/guides;
Transfers and transportation: all transfers and transportation in two Toyota Hilux 4x4 (3-4 people per jeep);
Accommodation: Accommodation options during the trip are as follows:
On days 1, 5, 6, and 8, accommodation will be provided in hotels. The hotel on the first night in Nouakchott is a luxurious one with a swimming pool. The hotels on days 5 and 6 are basic, with rooms containing two beds without blankets and pillows. On day 5, the hotel has a bathroom and toilet in the room, while on day 6, there are shared bathrooms and toilets.
On nights 3 and 4, accommodation will be in a camp with ready-made tents. Each tent will have two mattresses inside but without blankets and pillows. Shared bathrooms and toilets will be available.
On days 2 and 7, we will engage in wild camping using tents that will be provided in the jeeps. Mattresses and all necessary camping equipment will be available for camping in the wild.
For all nights, except for the first and last night, participants are required to bring their own sleeping bags. The rest of the camping equipment will be provided on-site.
Food: All breakfasts and most dinners.
Excursions: Walking tour to the Terjit Oasis with a local guide;
Visa permits/invitations: All visa permits and invitations.
Price does not include: Airfares (1) - we can book your flights from any location in the world to Nouakchott airport; all lunches and dinners on days 1, 8, and 9; travel insurance (you can purchase one from your own country or we can arrange it for you); personal expenses.
(1) Flight tickets with Turkish Airlines:
The group will fly directly from Istanbul Airport to Nouakchott. We can book your flights from anywhere in the world to Nouakchott Airport.
Departure: Istanbul 01.40 - Nouakchott 05.45;
Return: Nouakchott 20.50 - Istanbul 06.25;
This program provides an overview of the trip’s key details. If you need a solution tailored to your specific circumstances, please contact us via email. We can arrange flights from anywhere in the world to the trip’s starting point, as well as airport/hotel transfers and any required documents. Our team will support you throughout the entire planning process. Feel free to reach out via email!
Program
Day 1 Arrival in Mauritania: Nouakchott with the Fishing Harbor
Today, we arrive in Nouakchott, the capital of Mauritania. After completing border formalities, we'll transfer to our hotel. In the afternoon, we'll take a stroll around the city. However, we'll spend most of our time at the fishing harbor—one of the world's largest, most colorful, and exotic harbors. We'll spend the night in a luxurious hotel with a pool. Please note that lunch and dinner are not included in today's overall price.
Day 2: Matmata (Crocodile Lake)
Our goal today is to visit the picturesque Matmata Canyon, located deep in the Sahara Desert, about 500 km from the capital. For the final hour of our journey, we'll drive off-road through sand, oases, and small villages. This canyon is the only place in the Sahara where crocodiles still live. However, we'll observe them from a distance, as they're aggressive and difficult to approach. We'll spend the night camping in the canyon.
Day 3 Towards Terjit; Tidjikja
After enjoying breakfast around the campfire, we set off for the Terjit oasis. The journey is particularly scenic, and we'll make several photo stops along the way. En route, we'll spend an hour or two exploring Tidjikja, a remote and rugged town that offers a glimpse into primitive desert life. We'll take a leisurely walk around the settlement to soak in its unique atmosphere.
We continue along one of the journey's most picturesque routes, finally reaching the Terjit oasis by evening. This exceptionally beautiful location provides the perfect backdrop for our overnight stay. We'll settle into a campsite with ready-made tents, each equipped with two mattresses—simple yet functional. While the bathrooms and toilets are shared, they're clean and have running water. The camp's cooks are renowned for their culinary skills, so we can look forward to a delicious dinner under the stars.
Day 4 Terjit
We'll dedicate the day to exploring this enchanting oasis. Our walking tour will take us to the far end, meandering through lush palm groves, rolling hills, refreshing springs, and other desert wonders. There's a particularly stunning spot you're sure to adore. The village offers quaint souvenir shops for those interested. This lovely location is perfect for unwinding and rejuvenation. We'll spend another night at the same comfortable tent camp.
Day 5 Chinguetti
After breakfast at the camp, we continue our journey towards ancient Chinguetti, a renowned center of Islamic scholarship in West Africa. The Friday Mosque is particularly fascinating, and we'll enjoy a splendid view of it from the rooftop of one of the area's libraries. Built in the 13th or 14th century, this mosque boasts the second-oldest continuously used minaret in the Muslim world. However, it's important to note that non-Muslims are not permitted to enter the mosque itself.
The city's libraries are the most fascinating attractions in town and the primary reason travelers visit the region. Currently, there are five active libraries, and we'll visit at least one of them. There, we'll examine ancient texts, some over 300 years old. This experience is truly unique.
The largest and most extensive sand dunes in the Sahara surround the city. We'll cross these magnificent dunes the following day. Our night's accommodation will be in chalets (bring your own sleeping bags, as sheets, blankets, and pillows aren't provided). Clean toilets and bathrooms with hot water are available. Breakfast and dinner are included.
Day 6 Ouadane via Ancient Cave Paintings and the "Eye of the Sahara"
Today, we'll venture to the ancient town of Ouadane. With no paved roads, we'll drive directly through the desert. En route, we'll pause for photo opportunities and explore a cave complex adorned with remarkably well-preserved ancient paintings of animals and humans. While such artwork is found throughout the Sahara, the specimens here are exceptionally intact.
Our journey takes us through the "Eye of the Sahara" (Richat Structure)—a geological marvel with a circular shape and vast radius. Though difficult to discern from ground level, it's strikingly visible from space. This magical place boasts breathtaking landscapes.
Ouadane, a small town perched on the southern edge of the Adrar plateau, once served as a crucial stop for salt-carrying caravans. The old town, now a UNESCO World Heritage site, stands in ruins but offers a glimpse into its former size and prosperity. We'll take a leisurely walk around the old town with a local guide.
Our hotel provides twin rooms, each equipped with a private bathroom and toilet. For your comfort, sheets and blankets are supplied. Breakfast and dinner are included, featuring delicious local cuisine.
Day 7 Erg Amatlich Dunes, near the town of AkjoujtOuadane marks our farthest point. From here, we'll gradually journey back west toward Nouakchott, the capital. Today's destination is the Erg Amatlich Dunes near Akjoujt, where we'll set up our own tents for the second time and revel in a night of wild camping. The area is truly breathtaking. As evening falls, we'll bask in the spectacular sunset over the dunes.
Day 8 Journey to the Atlantic CoastAfter a campfire breakfast, we embark on our journey to the Atlantic Ocean. Our destination is a charming seaside village featuring a quaint hotel and a beachfront restaurant renowned for its fresh fish. We'll spend the night at this hotel. Time permitting, we'll explore the beach today; otherwise, we'll enjoy it the following morning. While swimming isn't advisable, the beach itself is a stunning, pristine, and exotic sight to behold.
Day 9: Nouakchott
We'll enjoy some leisure time at the beach before lunch. Afterward, we'll explore Mauritania's largest camel and livestock market—one of Africa's most impressive.
In the late afternoon, we'll head to the airport for our evening flight back to Istanbul or your home destination.
Day 10 Arrival at your home country
End of the program.
How to join us
Please email us for more information about this trip or to sign up. We’ll respond promptly and keep you updated on all organizational details. If you’re a group of 5–8 people, we can discuss dates that work for you. You can also join the list for future trips—just send us your names. That’s it!
Stories from Mauritania
All of our stories from Mauritania.
Photo Gallery
How to join us
Please email us for information about this trip or to reserve your spot. We'll respond promptly and keep you updated on all trip details and arrangements. If you have a group of 5–8 people ready to travel, we can discuss dates that work for you. You can also join our waiting list for future planned trips by simply sending us your names.
Ask for more information
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