Firstly, safe and secure Mauritania is nearby – there's even a short direct flight from Las Palmas! Secondly, the country is a very special blend of the Arab world and sub-Saharan Africa, where the traveller encounters numerous ancient caravan towns, oases of thousands of palm trees, high sand dunes and even the world's second largest monolith, the majestic Ben Amera! During this tour you will discover Mauritania, its desert, coast and capital. The tour is carried out in 4x4 vehicles, it does not include an iron ore train ride, but includes overnight stays in tents in the desert and oases.

It is also possible to start this tour from the Moroccan border, from Nouadhibou or from the Senegalese border.

Read also about our short and long trips to Mauritania including an iron ore train journey!

Day 1

Arrival in Nouakchott, the capital of Mauritania. Pick-up from the airport and accommodation at the 3-star Hotel Flora in Nouakchott.

Day 2

After breakfast, we start the long drive towards the Sahara Desert. After about four hours we arrive at the dunes of Amatlich, from where we continue to the oasis of Azouega. Lunch and dinner will be served in the desert. We will be accommodated in the oasis in traditional Mauritanian tents or in regular tents.

Day 3

After breakfast, we continue deeper into the Sahara. We drive to the oasis of El Medda, from where we continue to the "white valley" of Tifoujar. We also visit the Terjit oasis, a lush oasis surrounded by majestic mountains. At the oasis you can take a dip in a cool spring that bubbles up from underground. We will overnight in tents near Tifoujar.

Day 4

After breakfast, we drive through the small village of Mheirith, known for its unique rock formations, to the Amogjar Pass. In the pass we see magnificent lava formations and 6 000 year old rock art. We enjoy lunch in the desert. Next we arrive in Chinguetti, a medieval caravan town and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The town is known for its ancient libraries and its stunning architecture. We will stay overnight and have dinner at the Auberge Caravane du désert in Chinguetti.

Day 5

In the morning we arrive in the largest centre of the region, the city of Atar. We will visit the town's market, where it is possible to buy local handicrafts, for example. We will buy food supplies for the following days' meals. Lunch in the wilderness.

From Atar we drive across the desert to the monolith known as Ben Amera. Ben Amera is the second largest of its kind in the world, just behind Australia's Uluru. We enjoy dinner at our desert camp at the foot of Ben Amera. Accommodation at the desert camp.

Day 6

After breakfast, we set off on a long journey across the Sahara. We drive all the way to the Atlantic coast to the village of Iwik and the Banc d'Arguin National Park. Characterised by shallow beaches, the national park is an important wintering and nesting area for birds, and at least flamingos and pelicans can be seen in the area. Banc d'Arguin is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Accommodation in a guesthouse in Iwik.

Day 7

The desert adventure continues today as we continue southwards, eventually arriving at a place called Tiwilit. The area is known for its beautiful coastline, traditional fishing boats and abundant birdlife. We will again stay in a desert camp.

During this day, it is also possible to drive directly to Nouakchott to shorten the journey.

Day 8

Today we drive back to Nouakchott and explore Mauritania's young capital, which was still a sleepy fishing village in the 1950s. Today it is home to around a million Mauritanians – at the crossroads of the Sahara and the Atlantic! We will visit the fish market on the Atlantic coast, the camel market and the Mauritanian National Museum. Lunch and dinner. Accommodation at the Hotel Flora in Nouakchott. If you wish, you can leave the country today.

Day 9

Depending on the departure time of your flight, you may have some free time today to explore Nouakchott on your own. Transfer to the airport.