Discover the Four Ancient Cities of Mauritania
Travel across Mauritania with a guided private tour that blends historical and cultural discovery with epic rustic adventure.
The tour will begin its journey with an immersive authentic camping experience in the Sahara Desert. Step back into history as you explore all four ancient cities of Mauritania's including Chinguetti, Ouadane, Tichit and Oualata.
Finish the tour with a drive through the enchanting coastline of Mauritania and the Banc d’Arguin National Park while marvelling at its beautiful wildlife.
Included / Excluded
To help you plan your trip, we have put together a list of what's included and what's not included in your tour package. This will give you a clear understanding of what to expect during your private tour.
- Private Transportation
- Private Driver
- English-Speaking Guide
- Accommodations
- Outdoor Camping Equipment
- Bottled Water Throughout the Tour
- Airport Transfers
- All Entrance Fees (Per Itinerary)
- Chef-prepared meals each day (breakfast, lunch, dinner) from your departure from Nouakchott until your return to Nouakchott
- Meals in Nouakchott on Day 1
- Lunch and Dinner in Nouakchott on Final Day
- Airfare
- Visas Costs
- Travel Insurance
- Budget for Extra Snacks and Beverages
- Personal Spending
- Souvenirs
- Tips
Tour Map
This map shows you all the remarkable destinations you will visit on your private tour circuit.
Itinerary
Here are a few highlights of what you will see and experience on this tour:
- Explore the Four Ancient Cities of Mauritania (Ouadane, Chinguetti, Tichit, Oualata)
- Immerse in an authentic exploration and camping experience in the Sahara Desert
- Embark on a Boat Excursion at the Banc d'Arguin National Park
Touch down in Mauritania’s capital where you will be greeted by your tour guide and transferred to your hotel.
If you have an early arrival, you can opt for a city exploration to visit the Al Khaima City Center, the bustling Fish Market, or the Artisan Souvenir Market.
Meals are not included on this day, but can be arranged at hotels or restaurants as necessary.
Accommodation: Hotel or Guesthouse
Following breakfast at the hotel, depart Nouakchott and travel toward the Kiffa area. A freshly prepared lunch will be served en route.
Your arrival in Kiffa, one of the gateways into the Sahara Desert, is the beginning of your Sahara adventure. While our team setup your outdoor nomadic campsite and prepare a freshly cooked dinner, you can take time to soak in the raw beauty and tranquility of the Sahara desert. Spend the night in your outdoor nomadic tent under a canopy of stars which guarantees to be an unparalleled and unforgettable experience.
Accommodation: Outdoor Nomadic Tents
While breakfast is being prepared and the campsite is packed away for you, you will have some free time to enjoy the breathtaking tranquility of the Sahara desert.
Today, you will depart from Kiffa and travel to city of Nema which serves as an important stop on the trade route connecting Mauritania with Mali and Niger. Lunch will be provided en-route.
Upon arrival in Nema, you will spend the night in a hotel, where dinner will be served.
Accommodation: Basic Hotel
After breakfast at the hotel, you will depart for Oualata, one of the ancient cities of Mauritania. A fresh lunch will be served en route.
Upon arrival at Oualata, you will embark on a guided tour to discover this UNESCO World Heritage Site that is renowned for its architecture and design.
Spend the night in an outdoor nomadic campsite setup in the desert outside Oualata. A fresh dinner will be cooked and served to you.
Accommodation: Outdoor Nomadic Tents
Following breakfast at the campsite, depart Oualata and proceed towards Al Makhrougat. Lunch will be provided en route. Your subsequent destination is Elephant Mountain, a renowned rock formation resembling the form of an elephant, hence its Spanish name, “Roca del elefante” (Elephant Rock).
Your campsite will be setup in Al Makhrougat for an overnight stay beneath the awe-inspiring Sahara sky. Dinner will be freshly prepared and served to you.
Accommodation: Outdoor Nomadic Tents
After breakfast, you will travel along the Trans-Saharan trade route toward Tichit. Lunch will be served along the way..
Upon arriving to Tichit, you will a guided tour of this UNESCO World Heritage site. This 12th century caravan city was once an important caravan stop linking the ancient cities of Chinguetti and Oualata.
Spend the night at an outdoor nomadic campsite set up just outside Tichit. A freshly cooked dinner will be served.
Accommodation: Outdoor Nomadic Tents
Enjoy breakfast at the campsite before departing Tichit toward the Desert of Zik. Lunch will be served along the way. Tonight will be another immersive experience of the Sahara Desert, complete with dinner and camping under the celestial canvas.
Accommodation: Outdoor Nomadic Tents
Enjoy breakfast at the campsite before heading to town of Tidjikja, capital of the Tagant region of Central Mauritania.
Embark on an exploration of the ancient ruins of Rachid, perched atop a cliff overlooking the Oued, surrounded by lush palm groves. The remnants of ancient mud-brick dwellings within the old town offer a captivating glimpse into the region’s past.
Tonight will be a dining and camping experience under the stars in Maaden Oasis.
Accommodation: Outdoor Nomadic Tents
Following breakfast at the campsite, depart Maaden Oasis and travel to the Terjeit Oasis. Here you can enjoy a peaceful lunch picnic in this secluded palm tree oasis.
Continue your journey to the Mhairth Oasis. This is one of the largest oases in the Adrar region, and arguably the most beautiful with surrounding palm groves against a backdrop of rocky terrain and sand dunes. Here you will have free time to relax or to swim in the oasis.
Next, travel to the ancient city of Chinguetti. This UNESCO site was once a historic trading post, a noted Islamic scholarly centre, and a former gathering place for pilgrims on their way to Mecca. Dinner and night will be at a nearby basic guesthouse.
Accommodation: Basic Guesthouse
After breakfast, you will journey along the ancient trans-Saharan caravan trade route, leading you towards the oasis of Tanouchert. Here, you will have the opportunity to partake in a leisurely lunch in a nomadic tent.
After lunch, continue along the caravan trade route towards Ouadane. Continue your journey toward the Richat Structure, commonly referred to as “the Eye of Africa”. This is a a massive, circular geological formation that is visible from space.
Upon your arrival in Ouadane, you will be treated to dinner and subsequently spend the night in a guesthouse.
Accommodation: Basic Guesthouse
After breakfast, you will journey through the dramatic Canyon of Amogjar in the Adrar plateau for a spectacular panoramic view of the canyon. Next, travel to the nearby Agrour Amogjar to marvel at a rare collection of neolithic rock art.
Next, travel to Choum where lunch will be served.
When you are ready, travel to the colossal Ben Amera monolith. This is Africa’s largest monolith, and the world’s second largest monolith after Uluru (Ayers Rock) in Australia. Walk along the base of the nearly lesser Ben Aisha to discover many remarkable rock carvings and sculptures created by a dozen international artists in 1999 to commemorate the millennium.
As the day winds down, you will experience the magic of watching a gorgeous sunset against the Sahara backdrop. Spend the night in your nomadic outdoor campsite at the base of the monolith.
Accommodation: Outdoor Nomadic Tents
If you decide to wake early, you can witness a breathtaking sunrise that will emerge from behind Ben Amera, casting its radiant rays upon the landscape. After breakfast at Ben Amera, continue your journey through the Sahara until you arrive at Banc d’Arguin National Park. Lunch will be served en route.
Upon arrival at the Banc d’Arguin National Park in the evening, you will travel to Cape Tafarit where you will enjoy dinner and spend the night camping here on the pristine Atlantic shoreline.
Accommodation: Outdoor Nomadic Tents
This morning, you will travel to Iwik to embark on a traditional sailboat for an Atlantic ocean excursion. The sailboat will transport you to nearby islands, where you will have the opportunity to observe migratory and breeding birds, including pink flamingos, pelicans, and terns. The sailing duration is approximately two to four hours, subject to weather conditions.
Upon returning to land, you will proceed to the village of Nouamgar. There, you will partake in a picnic lunch while immersing yourself in the picturesque surroundings.
When you are ready, depart for Nouakchott, where you will dine and spend the evening at a hotel or guesthouse.
Accommodation: Hotel or Guesthouse Options
Enjoy breakfast before your morning private transfer to Nouakchott-Oumtounsy International Airport.
If you have a late departure, you can opt for an excursion to explore Nouakchott and surrounding sites.
Lunch and dinner are not included in this day’s itinerary, but it is possible to arrange at a restaurant in Nouakchott as needed.
