Seven Days Mauritania Safari
Day One: Arrival
On your arrival at the airport, the guide from Afrikan Wildlife Safaris will pick you up and then transfer you to the hotel for the overnight.
Day Two: The Eye of Africa
After breakfast, you will go for the archaeological and geological wonder, the Richat Structure, also known as the Eye of Africa, is an eroded geological dome nearly 40 kilometers in diameter. The origin story of the structure is still unknown. Some theories of extraterrestrial impact have been thrown out, but coherent explanations for the site are lacking.
Day Three: Chinguetti
For this day, we will visit this fascinating former Saharan trading town. Founded in the 13th century. Chinguetti was one of the transit points in the network linking Timbuktu and sub-Saharan Africa with northern Africa and beyond. The dry-stone, mud-brick architecture and the sandy streets give the impression that the old town of Chinguetti is very much still in another century. Highlights are the Friday Mosque, topped with five ostrich egg finials, and the manuscript libraries of the old quarter.
Days Four and Five: Banc D’arguin National Park
We will spend two days exploring this park, yet another World Heritage Site. A nature reserve with over one million migrant shorebirds from northern Europe, Siberia and Greenland. It is considered to be the largest colony for water birds in all of West Africa. We will get to explore the vast sand bars on scooter and on foot, admiring the birds while keeping our distance from treacherous pelicans.
Day Six: The Iron Ore Train
Riding the iconic iron ore train across northern Mauritania is an ever-growing legend in the world of adventure travel. The desert in Mauritania delivers a sense of peace to visitors that words simply cannot describe. During the golden hour, sitting atop a moving train, you have the chance to observe the shifting hues of the Saharan sands and sky. Distant rocky outcrops climb out of the desert and you can watch local herders and camels moving across this otherworldly landscape.
One of the longest trains in the world, the Iron Ore train transports ore from the Sahara to Nouadhibou on the coast. The train is dusty and uncomfortable and one of the wildest experiences you will ever have. It’s possible that we end up in empty cars or on top of the ore itself. We will likely encounter other stowaways for which this free form of transport is a lifeline. No matter what happens it will be unforgettable and a story you will tell for the rest of your life.
Day Seven: Oases, Camel Treks
For some of this trip we will use our own two feet, walking with camels into the desert. We have excellent local guides that help make this an unforgettable experience. We will visit oases and family campements as we get to see a part of Mauritania that few people visit.