Set off on a 9-day Mauritania desert and coast tour journey across Mauritania — from towering dunes and ancient cities to wild Atlantic coasts. Ride camels, climb monoliths, and sail through bird-filled shores. An epic blend of desert silence and ocean breeze.
Excursion info :
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This Mauritania desert and coast tour combines the best of Sahara exploration and Atlantic discovery in one immersive itinerary. From camel trekking in the dunes to ancient caravan cities, this Mauritania desert and coast tour reveals the raw beauty of nomadic life. As part of a wider Mauritania desert tour experience, travelers explore UNESCO sites like Chinguetti and Ouadane before heading north toward Ben Amera and the legendary iron tracks.
Whether you consider it a Mauritania grand tour or a coastal expedition, this journey blends desert silence with ocean horizons. The proximity to the railway also connects this route to the iconic Mauritania iron ore train tour experience, making it a true Mauritania coastal adventure across contrasting landscapes.
We will leave Nouakchott in the morning and make our way to the Dune of Azouega. The landscape will quickly transform from seaside desert lite to full blown Sahara. We will get off the road to have a delicious local lunch before continuing on to the tallest dune in Mauritania. We will arrive before sunset and have time to hike up this golden, shimmering tower of sand for a panoramic view like few others. After dinner over the fire, we will camp at the bottom of the dune and fall asleep watching the stars.
We will head further north and east to the western edge of the Adrar Plateau. Here we will find a gorge of palm groves surrounding a stream that bubbles up from a desert spring. This is the Terjit oasis. It is a magical spot where we can enjoy a swim in the natural spring while witnessing firsthand the importance of the oasis in Mauritanian nomadic life. We will stay at a locally run guesthouse as we prepare for our camel trek the following day.
Desert Oases :
A natural wonder and a lifeline for the local population Camel Trek into the Desert
We will meet up with our local guides in the morning as we prepare to walk into the heart of the Vallée Blanche (the White Valley), a strip of Saharan sand framed by dramatic cliffs and rock formations. Camels will carry all of our gear for us as we make our way to an open air camp site. We will prepare lunch and dinner together, make tea and even learn how to bake bread in the sand. Another night of falling sleep stargazing, this time truly off the grid, in the company of nomads and their camels.
Sunrise at a desert camp in the Vallée Blanche of Mauritania is something you will not soon forget. We will eat breakfast and make tea with the remaining embers from the fire before continuing our walk towards Chinguetti, an ancient Saharan trading town that was founded in the 13th century. 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. We will have the chance to explore both before spending the night in a local guesthouse.
A Window into Desert Life :
Our overnight camel trek offers us a chance to see what life is like for Mauritanian nomads
Further into the Desert, Further into History
We will continue our exploration of ancient Saharan trading towns as we drive a couple hours further into the Sahara, stopping at a desert oasis before arriving in the town of Ouadane. Like Chinguetti, the old quarter of Ouadane is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We will dig into the town’s rich history before having a traditional meal for dinner and retiring to our local guesthouse.
We will head back towards the Adrar plateau, eventually arriving at the regional capital of Atar. Once an important stop on the Paris Dakar Rally, the town of Atar remains the gateway to the north of the country. We will have lunch here at a local family home before we head back into the desert for a bivouac as we ready ourselves for a visit to Africa’s largest monolith, a stone’s throw from the border of Western Sahara and right next to the track that carries the iron ore train from Zouerat all the way to the coast.
After a sunrise breakfast we will hit the road for Ben Amera, the largest monolith in Africa and the second largest in the world, only behind Uluru in Australia (some geologists actually think Ben Amera is bigger if you count the portion of rock that is beneath the surface of the sand!). Rising 633 meters above the desert floor, Ben Amera also lies a mere 4 kilometers from the track taken by the iron ore train between Zouerat and Nouadhibou. We will get to explore Ben Amera and its slightly smaller sister “Aisha” 20 kilometers away before camping next to this giant piece of rock in the desert. Down the Coast
We will arrive in Nouadhibou in time for lunch. Mauritania’s second largest city is not quite cosmopolitan, but it is a fascinating place, and it features one of the largest artisinal fishing ports in West Africa. Yes, we will be back next to the Atlantic Ocean, and a stone’s throw from Western Sahara. After lunch, there will be time to get cleaned up and enjoy an afternoon siesta. You can of course keep exploring this intriguing city. In the early evening, we may take a short trip down to Cap Blanc, the tip of the peninsula, where it’s possible to swim and posssibly sight monk seals.
We will head down the coast to the Banc d’Arguin National Park. Yet another World Heritage Site, but this time a nature reserve that happens to be a home for 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 — quite a feat when you wrap your head around the proliferation of bird life in the region. We will get to explore the vast sand bars, rocky coves, and we may even be able to go out on one of the traditional dhows (there are no motorized boats allowed in the park). We will stay in a tented camp next to the ocean.
We will arrive back in Nouakchott on day 10. You can plan a departure flight for the evening. In between, there will be time to relax or to explore more of the city. We will have a chance to share one more Mauritanian tea or fresh squeezed juice before we say goodbye and “until next time.”
If you are looking for a Mauritania desert and coast tour that goes beyond the ordinary, this itinerary offers the perfect balance between Sahara immersion and Atlantic escape. From desert bivouacs and oasis encounters to views of the Mauritania iron ore train tour route and wildlife exploration along the coast, this Mauritania grand tour delivers depth, authenticity and adventure. Secure your place on this unforgettable Mauritania desert tour and experience a rare Mauritania coastal adventure where dunes meet the sea.
Designed as a complete Mauritania desert and coast tour, this experience connects Sahara trekking, cultural heritage and coastal exploration into one seamless Mauritania desert tour adventure.
Meeting point :
Our driver will pick you up from your hotel / Riad in Marrakech at the time agreed upon at the time of booking.
If you have any problems: please email us or call us on the numbers displayed on the contact banner.
Easy Reservations: Accepted until 6:00 PM the day before (Marrakech time), If you have any difficulty booking or need any other service, please contact us .
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For more information about Tourism in Mauritania click here.
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I recently explored the Sahara Desert through one of the guided tours—an absolute dream come true. The sunsets, the starry skies, the camel ride… everything was magical.
Our excursion to the Atlas Mountains was beyond breathtaking. The local guide was kind and knowledgeable, and the views made every step worth it.
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What a fantastic journey! The day trip to Essaouira was one of the highlights of my vacation—fresh seafood, ocean breeze, and a charming medina to explore.
What a fantastic journey! The day trip to Essaouira was one of the highlights of my vacation—fresh seafood, ocean breeze, and a charming medina to explore.
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