Mauritania

Known as the land of a million poets and sitting at the shifting crossroads where the Arab Maghreb meets Sub-Saharan Africa, Mauritania is fiercely traditional all the while being one of the most mesmerizingly hospitable countries you’ll ever visit.

Mauritania is also blessed with some of the most hauntingly beautiful desert landscapes and ancient, wind-swept architecture the world over. From the colossal, monolithic heights of Ben Amera rising out of the sand, to the stone-built libraries of Chinguetti guarding centuries-of-old Islamic manuscripts, the surreal cosmic swirls of the Richat Structure (the Eye of the Sahara), and everything in between.

These beautiful destinations attract a niche crowd of travelers inside Mauritania’s borders, but it’s the human connection that leaves its mark on most travelers. Sipping a meticulously poured glass of mint tea under a nomadic tent, hearing the stories of caravan traders who crossed the endless dunes, and falling asleep to the rhythmic clatter of the world’s longest iron ore train cutting through the Sahara: this is Mauritania.

It’s undeniable that Mauritania has a rugged and isolating past, shaped by the harsh realities of the desert and the rise and fall of ancient trans-Saharan trade empires. Many a traveler and conqueror has left their mark, from the Almoravid dynasty to the fierce independent tribes who still call the deep desert home.

Travelers intrepid enough to make the journey to Mauritania will be greatly rewarded with incredible adventures and a nomadic hospitality that knows no bounds. That said, travel in Mauritania doesn’t come without inherent logistical hurdles and remote conditions.

Still want to visit Mauritania? Get in contact about arranging a private expedition in the country or check out the group departures we have on offer.