Ten Days Mauritania and Morocco Adventure
Day One: Arrival in Nouakchott – Morocco
Upon your arrival at the airport in Nouakchott, the guide from Afrikan Wildlife Safaris will welcome you and then transfer you to the hotel for the overnight. Depending on the time of arrival, you may go to explore the city. Dinner and overnight at Sunset Hotel or similar.
Day Two: Iwik to Banc d’Arguin National Park
After breakfast, we will head to the world-renowned Banc d’Arguin National Park. On the way, we stop at the fishing village of Iwik, inhabited by the Imragen people. Banc d’Arguin is home to a huge variety of birdlife and we spend time exploring and then head to our camp for the night. Dinner and overnight in haima (Moorish tents).
Day Three: Nouadhibou to Cap Blanc
You will drive to Nouadhibou, Mauritania’s second city and an important fishing port. From here we head to nearby Cap Blanc with its pristine beaches and great views over the Atlantic. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Sahel or similar.
Day Four: Ben Amera
This morning, you will drive through the desert to the huge monolith of Ben Amera, the second largest in the world after Australia’s Ayer’s Rock and a rather spectacular site. This region is also crossed by the ‘train of the desert’, the longest train in the world and up to 3km in length, transporting iron ore from Zouerat to Nouadhibou, we hope to see one if we are lucky. Dinner and overnight camping.
Day Five: Atar
Today, you will head into the Adrar, Mauritania’s most beautiful region with the country’s most impressive dunes, rock paintings, stunning oases and nomadic culture at its best. Then continue to Atar, the main town here and explore its traditional quarter and market. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Caravannes or similar.
Day Six: Guelb er Richat and Ouadane
For this day on our way to Ouadane, we visit the Guelb er Richat, an interesting crater-like structure also known as the ‘eye of the Sahara’ and 40km wide. Founded in the 12th century Ouadane is a fascinating collection of old houses and mosques and has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore the historic quarter. Dinner and overnight at local guesthouse.
Day Seven: Tenewchert and Chinguetti
You will drive to the picturesque oasis of Tenewchert located amidst the dunes, then continue to Chinguetti, one of Islam’s holiest cities and a real gem of Mauritania. With its collection of historic buildings, this is one of the Sahara’s most interesting towns, with a sense of history that is almost tangible. We drive through the desert, then to Chinguetti. Dinner and overnight at local guesthouse.
Day Eight: Mheirith and Timinit
On this day, explore the stunning scenery of the Adrar, driving to the pretty oasis of Mheirith. Then continue to Timinit, a seasonally inhabited oasis known for its large date plantations. Dinner and overnight camping.
Day Nine: White Valley to Tergit
Today, you will visit the White Valley, named for its striking light sand which contrasts with the dark surrounding rocks, then continue to the oasis of Tergit, stopping to meet local people along the way. We explore the oasis with its lush palm groves, streams and hot springs, and spend our last night in Mauritania at a tented camp, amidst beautiful surroundings. Dinner and overnight at a tented camp.
Day Ten: Nouakchott
After breakfast, we drive back to the capital. There will be time to explore the fishermen’s beach and market, a vibrant area with boats landing on the beach with their catches, before transferring to the airport for your flight home.