This Mauritania overland expedition takes you from the Capital Nouakchott to the remote hinterland of the Adrar, along with a small group of like-minded travelers like yourself accompanied by expert local guides to help you get the best of Mauritania overland culture and adventure.
The trip starts from Nouakchott across vast swathes of desert, visits the ancient caravan terminal Trans-Sahara trade at Chinguetti and Ouadane, drives along the natural and little-visited coastline, and then heads off on a desert expedition into the Sahara. Exploring Mauritania, you’ll travel overland past dunes, salt swamps, and mountains to Chinguetti. This almost deserted stone town was once the capital of the Moorish Empire and still holds a library with a fascinating collection of ancient books and manuscripts.
On this classic Mauritania tour, you will encounter nomadic settlements under Goat hair tents and transhuman villages mainly of pastors and camel herders; you will also visit Imragen villages and hear about the symbiotic existence of fishermen and dolphins. Mauritania's capital, Nouakchott, creates an exciting starting point for our seven-day expedition exploring natural sites and lagoons with the bird species of Banc d’Arguin National Park and monk seals at Cap Blanc creating in contrast to the arid desert with wildlife watching encounters way off the traditional stomping ground of binocular wielding twitchers.
The Atlantic shoreline around Nouadhibou is devastatingly beautiful, with the wrecks of ships catching the imagination of pioneers of another era before heading inland towards the world’s third-largest monolithic site, Ben Amera, which casts shade over the desert like a gigantic ancient sun clock.
Do not miss this 2024-2025 great overland Mauritania expedition to create memorable moments as this Mauritania small group tour reaches a climax with the former trans-Saharan trading towns of Ouadane and Chinguetti providing a quintessentially ancient Saharan ambiance amongst the ruined walls and sand-filled alleys.Upon your arrival at Nouakchott Airport, you will find our representative agent waiting for you to greet you then transfer you to your hotel. The afternoon will be devoted to visiting the Nouakchott historic highlights. Dinner and accommodation will be at your hotel. Your tour leader will give a debriefing about your adventure tour to Mauritania.
• Arrive at the International airport of Nouakchott • Meet driver and guide. • Assistance at the Airport • Transfer to the Hotel
After breakfast, we will hop in our land cruisers to overland North East of Mauritania to explore the Chengetti region in the heart of the Adrar Region. Adrar is a traditional region of central Mauritania of a low central massif with noticeable cliffs that rise to about 800 feet (240 m) above sea level. The terrain is arid and almost totally unsuitable for farming. There is, however, sufficient water at the base of the uplands to support date-palm groves oases, and during the wetter part of the year, there is the cultivation of millet, sorghum, melons, and vegetables in some oases and valleys of the Adrar. We will trek across breathtaking Saharan landscapes with some stark rock formations encountering some Berber settlements of nomads and semi-nomad pastors, not to miss of course the Dunes of Guetti. After a trekking journey, we will take a break at Attar town to visit its landmarks and its market reminiscent of a great time of camel caravans fairs. Historic sites include Ouadane, formerly a caravan and gold-trading center, and Chinguetti, an ancient center of learning and Islamic teachings. Dinner and accommodation will be at your Guesthouse.
• Driving on the tar road. Going through AKjojet and the Atar, the capital of the Adrar region. • We keep moving to Chinguetti. • Arrive in Chinguetti, visit the library, the Mosque. • Adventurous driving on the huge dune of Guetti. • Watch the enchanting sun if the clouds clear up. • Go back to the Auberge to spend the night.
Our day will start with an overland trip toward Ouadane, about 50 miles traveling north to explore some of the natural wonders of the Sahara desert. We will stop at an old crater with circular rock formations called The Eye of the Sahara. We will visit also the town of Ouadane with historic highlights. The library of Ouadane is worth stopping by. Chinguetti and Ouadane are UNESCO World Heritage Sites because they are vestiges of the once-flourishing civilizations that existed during the era of the Trans-Sahara salt trade. Both towns were learning centers back when Muslims led the world in science and technology. Today, they oversee decaying books. We will return to the guesthouse for dinner and a comfortable night.
After breakfast, we will take off to a picturesque town Overlanding some great canyons and valleys to Terjit. Terje is an oasis in the proper sense: a desert spring or other water source), 45km by road south of Atar. It is nestled in a gorge on the western edge of the Adrar Plateau with the palm grove stretching a few hundred yards alongside a creek, which emerges from the mainspring. Terje is part of the commune of Maaden in the Aoujeft province or county. There is a modest fee to enter and tourists can pay to stay in tents in the palm grove. It is often used for the few visitors who venture to explore this magnificent oasis in every sense of the term. Charm, freshwater, and shade are great places to take a break from the ruggedness of the Sahara desert. Historically, it has been used for religious ceremonies, especially wedding ceremonies, as well as the coronation of a few African princes. We will camp overnight in the oases to enjoy an ethereal night under the African skies. Dinner will be cooked for our group by a local family.
• Leave Ouadane. Pass by the Amogjar pass which has a breathtaking canyon • Taking pictures of the abandoned house that was made for the film Fort Sagan. • Visit some wonderful prehistorical paintings in the area. • Pass by the palm groves oasis Tewnechert • Then we drive to the oasis of Terjit. • Visit the water spring streams. • Spend the night in tents.
Wake up to the lively oasis activities to enjoy mingling with locals. We will take breakfast and ride our land cruisers toward the Banc of Argan visiting on our way Nouamghar and Chami villages. The Banc of Argan is a major breeding site for migratory birds traveling from Europe and North Africa down to the tropics, including flamingos, broad-billed, sandpipers, pelicans, storks, terns, and many more, the very few to mention. Much of the breeding is on the sandbanks of these lagoons sandbanks including the islands of Sidra, Niroumi, Nair, and Arguin. The surrounding waters are some of the richest fishing waters in western Africa and serve as nesting grounds for the entire western region. The afternoon will be devoted to enjoying a dip in the Atlantic Ocean at the stretched promontory of Arkeiss Beach.
• Leave Terjit pass by Nouamghar and the new town of Chami. • Reach the World heritage site Banc d’Arguin. • Swim at the beach of Arkeiss and/or walk on the cliff. • Night in Mauritanian tents with the sound of waves.
We will wake at the crack of dawn to start our cruise. We will drive about 18 miles to meet our boat in Iwik and start our cruise sailing to explore some exotic small islands, watch thousands of birds nesting; perhaps some dolphins and gazelles viewing. In the afternoon we will get back to the mainland and camo in Iwik reflecting on a great adventure day cruising the offshores of Mauritania. This area is known to be one of the best fishing in West Africa.
• Wake up early in the morning for sailing. • Meet the boatman in Iwik, 30 km of Arkeiss. • Go sailing, spend almost five hours in the sea. • Visit small islands, watch hundreds of birds changing location. • If lucky, we see dolphins and gazelles. • Go back to Qwik, relaxing night in local tents.
After breakfast, we will drive down to Nouakchott. Our local guide will be expecting us to take us on a guided tour of the capital of Mauritania exploring historic sites, the national museum, the colorful colonial central market to close our Nouakchott city tour in the market to do the shopping for last-minute souvenirs. Later we will transfer you to the airport assist you with your transfer. Bid you goodbye in the hope to see you again on another Mauritania adventure tour. We hope you enjoyed visiting Mauritania and our tour was up to your expectations.
• Drive back to the capital city • Go to the National Museum, if open. Visit different sectors of the Museum. • Go to the colorful Marchè Capital. Visit shops and the Market surroundings. • Visit Hotel El Khater. • Go to the Friday Mosque of Nouakchott. • Go to the Fish Market / Watch the fishermen go out and bring back their catch. • Transfer to the Hotel • Later at night, assistance and transfer to the Airport.
| DEPARTING | FINISHING | SEATS | TOTAL IN USD | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 8 Jun 2024 | Sun 16 Jun 2024 | Available | $2385 | RESERVATION |
| Sat 22 Jun 2024 | Sun 30 Jun 2024 | Available | $2385 | RESERVATION |
| Sat 6 Jul 2024 | Sun 14 Jul 2024 | Available | $2385 | RESERVATION |
| Sat 20 Jul 2024 | Sun 28 Jul 2024 | Available | $2385 | RESERVATION |
| Sat 3 Aug 2024 | Sun 11 Aug 2024 | Available | $2385 | RESERVATION |
| Sat 17 Aug 2024 | Sun 25 Aug 2024 | Available | $2385 | RESERVATION |
| Sat 31 Aug 2024 | Sun 8 Sep 2024 | Available | $2385 | RESERVATION |
| Sat 14 Sep 2024 | Sun 22 Sep 2024 | Available | $2385 | RESERVATION |
| Sat 28 Sep 2024 | Sun 6 Oct 2024 | Available | $2385 | RESERVATION |
| Sat 12 Oct 2024 | Sun 20 Oct 2024 | Available | $2385 | RESERVATION |
| Sat 26 Oct 2024 | Sun 3 Nov 2024 | Available | $2385 | RESERVATION |
| Sat 9 Nov 2024 | Sun 17 Nov 2024 | Available | $2385 | RESERVATION |
| Sat 23 Nov 2024 | Sun 1 Dec 2024 | Available | $2385 | RESERVATION |
| Sat 7 Dec 2024 | Sun 15 Dec 2024 | Available | $2385 | RESERVATION |
| Sat 21 Dec 2024 | Sun 29 Dec 2024 | Available | $2385 | RESERVATION |
| Sat 4 Jan 2025 | Sun 12 Jan 2025 | Available | $2385 | RESERVATION |
| Sat 18 Jan 2025 | Sun 26 Jan 2025 | Available | $2385 | RESERVATION |
| Sat 1 Feb 2025 | Sun 9 Feb 2025 | Available | $2385 | RESERVATION |
| Sat 15 Feb 2025 | Sun 23 Feb 2025 | Available | $2385 | RESERVATION |
| Sat 1 Mar 2025 | Sun 9 Mar 2025 | Available | $2385 | RESERVATION |
| Sat 15 Mar 2025 | Sun 23 Mar 2025 | Available | $2385 | RESERVATION |
| Sat 29 Mar 2025 | Sun 6 Apr 2025 | Available | $2385 | RESERVATION |
| Sat 12 Apr 2025 | Sun 20 Apr 2025 | Available | $2385 | RESERVATION |
| Sat 26 Apr 2025 | Sun 4 May 2025 | Available | $2385 | RESERVATION |
| Sat 10 May 2025 | Sun 18 May 2025 | Available | $2385 | RESERVATION |
| Sat 24 May 2025 | Sun 1 Jun 2025 | Available | $2385 | RESERVATION |
| Sat 7 Jun 2025 | Sun 15 Jun 2025 | Available | $2385 | RESERVATION |
| Sat 21 Jun 2025 | Sun 29 Jun 2025 | Available | $2385 | RESERVATION |
| Sat 5 Jul 2025 | Sun 13 Jul 2025 | Available | $2385 | RESERVATION |
| Sat 19 Jul 2025 | Sun 27 Jul 2025 | Available | $2385 | RESERVATION |
| Sat 2 Aug 2025 | Sun 10 Aug 2025 | Available | $2385 | RESERVATION |
| Sat 16 Aug 2025 | Sun 24 Aug 2025 | Available | $2385 | RESERVATION |
| Sat 30 Aug 2025 | Sun 7 Sep 2025 | Available | $2385 | RESERVATION |
| Sat 13 Sep 2025 | Sun 21 Sep 2025 | Available | $2385 | RESERVATION |
| Sat 27 Sep 2025 | Sun 5 Oct 2025 | Available | $2385 | RESERVATION |
| Sat 11 Oct 2025 | Sun 19 Oct 2025 | Available | $2385 | RESERVATION |
| Sat 25 Oct 2025 | Sun 2 Nov 2025 | Available | $2385 | RESERVATION |
| Sat 8 Nov 2025 | Sun 16 Nov 2025 | Available | $2385 | RESERVATION |
| Sat 22 Nov 2025 | Sun 30 Nov 2025 | Available | $2385 | RESERVATION |
| Sat 6 Dec 2025 | Sun 14 Dec 2025 | Available | $2385 | RESERVATION |
| Sat 20 Dec 2025 | Sun 28 Dec 2025 | Available | $2385 | RESERVATION |
Cost per person: $2185 USD
Single supplement: $485 USD
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