8 Days Discover Mauritania Safaris
8 Days Discover Mauritania safaris is the real experience of Mauritania, this tour will give you an insider of the history, visit the archaeological sites, desert and experience the life of the Mauritanian people not forgetting the exploration of the city of Nouakchott.
Highlights
- Nouakchott city tour
- rough train ride
- Library explorations in Chinguetti
- Ouadane city tour
- Terjit Oasis
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Nouakchott
Upon Arrival in Nouakchott the largest and capital city of Mauritania which is well connected from many countries within Africa and most of Europe. You will be received and transferred to the hotel
Lunch: Not Applicable
Overnight: Azalai hotel Nouakchott
Activity: Not Applicable
Day 2: City tour of Nouakchott
Depending on the time you will visit some of the following attractions in Nouakchott
-Visit the National Museum where artifacts of the history of Mauritania and its ancient cities are exposed – this will allow you to have a quiet recap of what you’ve seen in the last days.
-Visit the local craft market where locals specialize in camel wool rugs
-Driving tour of the massive embassies of the main players of the region – USA, China, France, and Russia.
-Quick photo stop by the Great Mosque of Nouakchott – funded by Saudi Arabia and built-in 1982.
-Head to the beach for some great people watching. This is where local Nouakchottois come to escape the city and cool off.
-Catch the lively Atlantic fish market. Every evening hundreds of fishermen bring in the day’s catch on their distinct sea canoes recognized by their colorful hand-painted hulls. The catch is then brought by donkey cart to the city’s markets
Lunch: Azalai hotel Nouakchott
Overnight: Azalai hotel Nouakchott
Activity: City tour
Day 3: Drive from Nouakchott – Nouadhibou – Choum
Drive north to Nouadhibou city Mauritania’s second-largest city and economic capital upon Arrival at the Port of Nouadhibou that was first controlled by the Portuguese, then the Dutch and finally by the French visit the fishing village and have lunch hereafter you will take the train which departs between 4 pm-6 pm arriving in Choum at 3 am Choum is a town in northern Mauritania, lying in the Adrar Region close to the border with Western Sahara upon arrival you will be received and transferred to rest in provided area
Lunch: packed lunch
Overnight: Bab Sahara
Activity: Beautiful scenery
Day 4: Drive from Choum to Chinguetti
After resting you will depart Choum and visit the monolith oasis and the villages after you will have Lunch at hotel Mer et Desert. You’ll most likely meet the owner, a French woman who has left everything behind to become a member of the community. She knows a lot about the social issues of local tribes and is a wonderful source of information. After you will drive to the UNESCO world heritage site of Chinguetti in the evening sunset watched from the huge sand dunes of Chinguetti
Lunch: hotel Mer et Desert
Overnight: Hotel Eden – a traditional stone guesthouse
Activity: explore Chinguetti
Day 5: Drive from Chinguetti – Ouadane
After morning breakfast Begin a 93km drive through the pure desert and sand dunes: on the way stopping in Tanounichert for a tea stop with the locals – once upon a time it was an important step of the trans-caravan routes of the Sahara. Later in the day take a city tour of Ouadane city Ouadane or Wādān is a small town in the desert region of central Mauritania, situated on the southern edge of the Adrar Plateau, 93 km northeast of Chinguetti. The town was a staging post in the trans-Saharan trade and for caravans transporting slabs of salt from the mines at Idjil.
Lunch: packed lunch
Overnight: Hotel Vasque
Activity: Explore Ouadane
Day 6: Drive from Ouadane -Terjit oasis- Atar
Depart for Tergit Oasis – Mauritania’s most picturesque location on the way stopping at Agrour – here’s your chance to see pre-historic paintings left there 5000 years ago as well as incredible lava formation, Visit the Monolith Oasis – an incredibly picturesque place where Mauritanian like to come and relax during the date season later Continue onwards to the White Valley – a dune-filled fault line with many small settlements and palm groves. The Guelb Aouelloul crater is a 3.1 million-old impact crater approximately 40 km across and can be observed from space the breath-taking scenery after continue through the stunning Tivoujar Pass and arrive early evening in Atar
Lunch: picnic
Overnight: Hotel Des Caravanes
Activity: Explore Terjit Oasis
Day 7: Drive from Atar to Nouakchott
An early rise for breakfast starts your long drive to the Mauritanian capital city of Nouakchott arriving in time for dinner and relaxation.
Lunch: San Francisco Café
Overnight: Azalai hotel Nouakchott
Activity:
Day 8: Departure
Depending on your flight schedule you will depart for the airport for your outbound flight home
Lunch: Azalai hotel Nouakchott
Overnight: Azalai hotel Nouakchott day room
Activity: Leisure
End of tour
Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
What’s included in the 8 Days Discover Mauritania Safaris
- Airport Transfer
- Accommodation
- Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- Private transport in 4×4 and tickets for the train
- English-speaking accompanying guides
- All entrance fees
What’s excluded in the 8 Days Discover Mauritania Safaris
- Flights
- travel and medical insurance
- Tips
- Drinks except for water
- personal items like shopping souvenirs
- Laundry
When to book the safari package?
At least 3 months in advance due to the duration of Bank transfers.
Best Time to Travel
The winter season of November to March is the best time to visit Mauritania.
NOTE: Lodges and activities for this safari package are provided upon request.