Uncover the Best of Mauritania on this Epic Adventure
Our Mauritania Grand Circuit tour will take you across the Sahara Desert to the Atlantic Coast in search of Mauritania’s ancient history and its most beautiful sceneries.
Experience the majestic Sahara Desert like never before with climbing massive dunes, camel riding, and swimming in a desert oasis.
Embark on a historic journey through time and uncover the fascinating history of the ancient cities of Chinguetti and Ouadane. 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 Ancient Cities of Chinguetti and Ouadane
- Experience the unparalleled beauty of the Sahara Desert through an authentic camping experience
- Traverse through the Banc d'Arguin National Park by boat and by car to discover its amazing wildlife
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 Options
After breakfast, you will begin your Grand Circuit with a scenic drive to Akjoujt’s seldom-visited ancient caves. Enjoy a chef-prepared al fresco lunch in the wilderness.
Continue your journey into the Sahara desert to the sweeping dunes of Azoueiga for a sunset climb and panoramic views. Our team will prepare your campsite at the base of the Azoueiga dune. Enjoy a freshly cooked meal and then spend the night under the starlit Sahara sky.
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.
Traverse through the beautiful landscapes of the White Valley en route to the lush Terjit Oasis. Here you can enjoy a peaceful lunch picnic in this secluded palm tree oasis.
After lunch, prepare for an inspiring adventure with a choice of a camel ride or hiking for about an hour toward the Ichive Valley. Arrive at your outdoor campsite where you will enjoy a freshly cooked dinner and spend the night.
Accommodation: Outdoor Nomadic Tents
If you missed the camel ride on the previous day, then we will arrange a camel ride this morning. Your adventure continues this morning at 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 swim in the oasis or relax while lunch is prepared in the oasis.
After lunch, you will visit the 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.
Continue your journey to the ancient city of Chinguetti. Here you will drive to the top of a massive sand dune in time to watch the sun slowly descend while casting its warm hues over the desert.
Dinner and night will be at a nearby basic guesthouse.
Accommodation: Basic Guesthouse
After breakfast, you will embark on an exploration of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Chinguetti. This ancient city holds significant historical importance as a prominent trading post, a renowned Islamic scholarly centre, and a former gathering place for pilgrims on their way to Mecca.
Visit the Old Town Library where ancient Islamic texts are stored and preserved. You can also visit the Old City Mosque that was built in the 13th century.
Next, 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 an early breakfast, explore Ouadane’s UNESCO-listed timeworn ruins which was once a staging post.
Next, travel to Atar, capital of the Adrar region for a glimpse of local life at the local market.
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. Lunch will be freshly prepared and taken at the base of the monolith.
After lunch, continue traveling westbound in the Sahara and spend the night camping in the desert. Dinner will be freshly cooked and served.
Accommodation: Outdoor Nomadic Tents
This morning, continue driving westbound through the Sahara Desert toward the coast of Mauritania.
Upon reaching the coast, your first stop will be at Cap Blanc which means “white headland”.
Located on a 60-kilometre (37-mile) peninsula that divides the border between Mauritania and Western Sahara, Cap Blanc boasts an iconic lighthouse constructed in 1910.
Travel to the seaside city of Nouadhibou, the second largest city in Mauritania. End the day with a private dinner and spend the night in a hotel.
Accommodation: Hotel Options
After breakfast at the hotel, travel to Chami, which is a village entirely birthed and developed due to the gold mining activities in the region. You will drive through the village to observe from a distance the manual processing and refining of stones collected from the nearby gold mines.
Next, drive to the Banc d’Arguin National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy freshly caught seafood at Cape Tafarit and a free afternoon on the pristine Atlantic shoreline.
In the afternoon, depart for the village of Iwik, renowned for its traditional, sustainable, and non-motorized fishing methods. Have dinner and spend the night in a basic cottage in this village.
Accommodation: Basic Cottage
This morning, you will 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.
