MAURITANIA
Highlights
Under the stars of the Sahara in the open-air wagon of the desert train
Guelb el Richat, the Eye of the Sahara visible from the Moon
Migratory birds and the turquoise ocean of Banc d’Arguin
A tea at any time, like true Mauritanians
Where we sleep
Berber tented camps, local hotels in Nouakchott and Chinguetti
How we move
4×4 with driver and Italian-speaking local guide, freight train
TYPE OF TRIP
For more information about our trips, please consult the FAQ section.
Departure from Italy in the afternoon, followed by a connecting flight to Mauritania.
Arrival at night and transfer to a seaside campside for the first overnight stay.
Morning: wake up, breakfast on the beach prepared by our cook, time for a swim, and departure by 4×4 towards Banc d’Arguin National Park. Arrival in the late morning.
Afternoon: excursion by traditional pirogue through Banc d’Arguin National Park, followed by lunch and transfer to Cap Tafarit.
Evening: arrival at the camp before sunset, time to swim in the sea, dinner and overnight in traditional Berber tents.
Morning: wake-up, breakfast on the beach, and departure for Nouadhibou. Arrival in the late morning, lunch, and waiting for the famous “Train du Désert.” Operated by the mining company SNIM to transport iron ore between the mines of Zouérat and the port of Nouadhibou, the train does not follow a fixed schedule, so waiting times of 3 to 8 hours before departure are possible.
Afternoon: boarding the freight wagons of the longest train in the world (stretching up to 3 kilometres long), which takes around 12 hours to cross 420 kilometres of Sahara desert to Choum. Afternoon and evening aboard the train, surrounded by unforgettable desert landscapes and sunset views.
Evening: overnight in the open air aboard the train.
Morning: arrival of the train in Choum during the night or at first light. Transfer to the village for breakfast and a shower, hosted by a local family.
Afternoon: continuation of the journey by 4×4 through the desert towards Atar, the main town of the Adrar region. Stop along the way for lunch in the desert. Visit the lively market of Atar, a vibrant mosaic of Saharan colours and traditions, before heading into the desert outskirts for the night.
Evening: setting up the camp, dinner under the stars and overnight stay in the desert
Morning: a full day devoted to the Sahara, following an itinerary of more than 12 hours through the desert. The landscapes are constantly changing, alternating between well-travelled tracks, soft sand dunes, and rugged rocky terrain.
Afternoon:visit to the Desert Museum of El Beyedh, a project created by the NGO Bambini nel Deserto.
Evening: arrival and setup of the tented camp, dinner and overnight stay in El Beyedh.
Morning: visit to the Richat Structure, also known as the “Eye of the Sahara,” a striking circular geological formation of mysterious origin measuring around 40 km in diameter. Continue to Ouadane, founded in 1147 by the Berber tribe Idalwa el Hadji, once an important stop along the trans-Saharan caravan routes and now slowly being reclaimed by the desert.
Afternoon: departure for Chinguetti, arriving in the late afternoon. Check-in and dinner at the hotel, followed by time to wander through the ancient streets of Chinguetti. Known as the seventh holy city of Islam, it was once a major caravan hub between Marrakech and Timbuktu and is renowned for its 24 libraries preserving some of the oldest manuscripts of Islamic culture.
Evening: return to the hotel, dinner and evening with dancing
Morning: early wake-up, breakfast, and departure for the Mhairith Oasis, with a stop to admire the breathtaking panorama from above. Continue to the Terjit Oasis, home to local nomadic families, with the chance to bathe in its cool waters beneath a lush palm grove.
Afternoon: lunch in Terjit and transfer to Azeouega to climb the Amatlich dunes and watch the sunset over the Sahara.
Evening: setting up the camp around Azouega, dinner and overnight in the desert.
Morning: very early wake-up, breakfast, and departure for Nouakchott. Arrival in the capital and lunch at a restaurant along Nouakchott’s vast Atlantic beach.
Afternoon: walk along the beach during the fishermen’s return, as hundreds of colourful wooden boats line the shore unloading tons of freshly caught fish. Visit the nearby fish market, one of the largest and most photogenic in Africa. Arrival at the hotel, check-in, and time to relax in the garden.
Evening: dinner and overnight in Nouakchott
Morning: transfer to the airport and return to Italy
Afternoon: flight
Evening: arrival in Italy
