Mauritania Tours

Travel To Mauritania

Jewel of the Sahara

Home to a very unique train journey as well as the UNESCO world heritage site of Chinguetti – Mauritania has a surprising amount on offer for such an unknown land.

Share this page:

Our Mauritania tours will showcase all that this nomadic, tribal land can offer.

A place that once suffered from security issues and foreign office bans, Mauritania is roaring back with its unique blend of wild Atlantic fisherman mixed with traditional desert nomads of the Sahara. This huge and sparsely populated nation has attractions and wonderful towns waiting to be discovered by the intrepid traveler.

Every group tour will ride the famed open top iron ore train which runs from the central mines to the Nouadhibou overnight through the Sahara desert. It’s the trip highlight and one of the all-time great travel experiences!

What are you waiting for? Check out our sample Mauritania tour itinerary and group tours below!

Visa?

Thankfully it’s super easy to get a Mauritania visa. Basically all nationalities are eligible for a visa on arrival for $60USD or €55.

What should I bring?

Bring clothes for hot and cool weather conditions. Comfortable footwear. A headscarf – especially to protect from dust if you are riding the iron ore train. Get in touch for a packing list!

When?

The Mauritania travel season runs from September to April. The summer months are not advised due to the extreme heat.

Tour Itineraries

1 spot remaining!

See the highlights from Nouakchott to Chinguetti and back in this Mauritania essentials tour!

Fully booked - Waiting list only!

Welcome in the first sunrise of 2024 while rolling through the Sahara desert on the famed Iron ore train!

Sample 7 Night Itinerary

Day 1 – Nouakchott

Arrival into Nouakchott at your own convenience & transfer to your hotel.
In the afternoon we will venture out to the huge camel market and explore some of the city.
Head to the Port de Pêche – the capital city’s largest and most vibrant fish market.
See the Great Mosque of Nouakchott.
Dinner and overnight in Nouakchott.

Day 2 – Nouakchott - Azoueiga

Breakfast at our hotel.
Visit the National Museum where artefacts of the history of Mauritania and its ancient cities are exposed.

Afternoon

Drive 4 hours to the stunning Azoueiga sand dune. We’ll set up camp here in this incredibly peaceful setting.
Climb the nearby sand dune in time for sunset.
Dinner and overnight camping.

Day 3 – Azoueiga - Terjit - Chinguetti

Drive towards Terjit – arguably Mauritania’s most naturally beautiful location. It’s an oasis in the middle of the Sahara desert.
Relax in the pools after a long drive.
Continue our off-road driving adventure to the UNESCO world heritage site of Chinguetti – one of the holy cities of Islam. You’ll visit the library and other historical monuments and landmarks including the much loved Friday Mosque of Chinguetti, the national symbol of Mauritania.
Evening sunset watched from the huge sand dunes surrounding Chinguetti.
Dinner and overnight at our guesthouse.

Day 4 – Chinguetti – Ouadane

Breakfast at the guesthouse.
Begin the 80km drive through nothing but desert and sand dunes: on the way stopping in the village of Tanounichert for tea with the locals.

Afternoon

Arrival in World Heritage protected Ouadane and explore the streets that once glorified this beautiful country as a whole.
Get close the to the Richat Structure or “Eye of the Sahara” – This is an enormous 40km in diameter circular geological feature visible from space.
Traditional dinner and overnight in our Hotel.

Day 5 – Ouadane – Choum Mineral Train

Breakfast at the hotel.
Depart for Choum – the departing point for the iron ore train.
On the way stopping at Agrour – here’s your chance to see pre-historic paintings left here 5000 years ago!
Visit the Mheirith Oasis – an incredibly picturesque place where Mauritanians like to come and relax during the date growing season.

Afternoon

Lunch at a local restaurant.
Prepare for the Mauritania Iron ore Train – stop at local shops and stores to ensure the group is stocked up on plenty of essentials.
Board the world famous Mauritania iron ore Train – at over 2km this is the longest and heaviest train in the world. Make sure to bring a warm blanket, warm clothing and scarf to protect yourself from the dust. The train will depart anywhere from around 6pm – 10pm.
Overnight on top of iron ore in an open top train carriage.

Day 6 – Nouadhibou

On arrival in Nouadhibou city, we head straight to our hotel for a very well earned bed and shower!
Head to the Atlantic ocean at Cape Blanc – a peninsula that is shared between Mauritania and Western Sahara.
Visit the beach and nearby seal colony.
Dinner at a family run Spanish restaurant.
Overnight at our hotel.

Day 7 – Nouakchott

An early rise for breakfast and the long drive back to the Mauritanian capital city of Nouakchott.

Afternoon

On the way stopping for lunch.
Visit the Zein Art gallery where you can pickup some amazing locally made souvenirs.
Overnight in Nouakchott.

Day 8 – Nouakchott

Transfer to airport.
End of tour

Inclusions

Exclusions

Accommodation

Secure standard hotels and camping.
Guides

A Rocky Road Travel tour leader as well as an expert English speaking local guide and driver.
Transport

All transport to complete the itinerary.
Food

All meals & water are included outside of Nouakchott and Nouadhibou.
Activities

All activities mentioned in the itinerary unless otherwise stated.
Taxes & Fees

VAT & all entrance fees included.

Fights

Flights to and from Nouakchott.
Tips

Tip are expected for your local guide and driver.
Travel Insurance

A must for this trip.
Visa Fee

$55 USD
Some Meals

Lunch and dinner in Nouakchott and Nouadhibou not included.
Train Supplies

Snacks, blankets, sleeping bag, goggles, scarves & masks will be needed.

Gallery

Mauritania Tours - FAQs

Most frequent questions and answers for our tours to Mauritania.

IS IT SAFE?

The areas which we visit on this tour are considered safe. We research the security of our destinations highly and safety is a priority, however we also advise you to do your own research as well to ensure you are comfortable with your trip.

When is the best time to go?

The best time to visit is from October to March when the temperatures are comfortable in the Sahara.

What's the best way to get there?

Currently there are direct flights to Nouakchott from Paris, Casablanca, Gran Canaria, Istanbul and Dakar.

what currency should i bring?

USD cash is the most widely accepted.

There are no ATMs outside the cities and credit cards are not accepted anywhere.

What is the group size?

Group size will be no more than 12 travellers.

We’ll be a convoy of 4×4 cars with most of the driving off-road in the desert.

What are the Sleeping arrangements?

There will be one night of camping. The rest of the nights are in hotel/guesthouses with twin room sharing.

I have DIETARY requirements, is that an issue?

Not at all! We can cater to all diets.

do i need travel insurance?

Travel insurance is a must. We have teamed up with IATI Travel Insurance because they provide cover for all our destinations. You’ll also automatically receive a 5% discount with them as a Rocky Road Travel customer.

Our Story

ROCKY ROAD TRAVEL

Rocky Road Blog

ALL DESTINATIONS

ALL DESTINATIONS

AFGHANISTAN

AFGHANISTAN TOURS

IRAQ

IRAQ TOURS

MAURITANIA

MAURITANIA TOURS

SOUTH SUDAN

SOUTH SUDAN TOURS

SOCOTRA

SOCOTRA TOURS

SYRIA

SYRIA TOURS

PAKISTAN

PAKISTAN TOURS

Mauritania Tours

Travel To Mauritania