Tour guides Mauritania

5 ideas for guided tours in Mauritania

• The Terjit Nature Reserve

  

  In northern Mauritania, in the Adrar region, Terjit lies quietly hidden. An oasis, barely visible, as if the desert had forgotten it. Just a few kilometers from Atar, it opens softly between red rock cliffs and palms bent by the wind.

  The moment you step into the palm grove, the air shifts — cooler, gentler. Water seeps from the rocks, clear and warm. Beneath the palms, you bathe slowly, unhurried. Nothing calls you back. The desert stays outside — far away.

  Following the valley floor, the cliffs draw closer. Erosion has shaped the rock as if absentmindedly. Higher up lie the gorges of Timinit. Beyond that, the Adrar plateau stretches out — sharp lines, emptiness, silence. The perfect place to walk with no destination at all.

• Nouakchott

  

  Nouakchott, the vibrant capital of Mauritania, unfolds as a land of contrasts between desert and ocean. Nestled between the dunes and the Atlantic, this secretive city is full of hidden gems. Here are 5 must-see spots for an authentic experience.

  1. The Fish Market – The Soul of Nouakchott
  Set right by the sea, this bustling market is a spectacle in itself. Fishermen hauling nets, auction calls echoing, the smell of salt in the air… It’s total immersion into local life. Best experienced at dawn!

  2. The Saudi Mosque – An Architectural Gem
  With its tall minarets and pristine domes, this mosque offers a haven of peace. Located in the heart of the city, it’s the perfect spiritual pause amid Nouakchott’s urban rush.

  3. The Fishing Port – Where Tradition Meets Modernity
  South of the capital, brightly painted wooden boats share the docks with industrial ships. It’s the ideal spot to feel the city’s pulse and sample fresh seafood straight from the ocean.

  4. The National Museum – Mauritania’s Memory
  Close to Gamal Abdel Nasser Avenue, this museum showcases fascinating artifacts. From ancient manuscripts to nomadic jewelry, every object tells a piece of the country’s story.

  5. Nouakchott Beach – Wild Escape
  Just minutes from the city center, the ocean calls for a break. Golden sand, salty breeze… The perfect setting to watch an unforgettable sunset.

• The Banc d’Arguin

  

  Between Nouakchott and Nouadhibou, along the Atlantic coast, Banc d’Arguin National Park stretches between sand and sea. Nothing feels fixed here, except perhaps the silence. Dunes slowly creep toward the lagoons. The ocean says nothing in return.

  On these untouched shores, birds arrive by the thousands. Flamingos, pelicans, terns… they glide, rise, and vanish again. Aboard a low pirogue, alongside the Imraguen fishermen, you approach them quietly. Sometimes dolphins appear. Not a show. An ancient gesture. Together.

  On Tidra Island or Niroumi Island, nothing waits. The sand keeps footprints for just a few hours. The wind moves on. The surf goes on. Faced with the desert, faced with the water, nothing calls for action. You just listen. That’s enough.

• Chinguetti, the Oasis of the Sahara

  

  The sun gently brushes the ochre stones of Chinguetti, a legendary city rising from the sands of the Adrar. About 600 km northeast of Nouakchott, this Sahara gem awaits, timeless and mysterious, like a mirage made real.

  Wandering through its narrow alleys, you’re drawn to the Al-Atiq Mosque, a jewel of Saharan architecture. Its square minarets have watched over the city for centuries, silent witnesses to the caravans long gone. At sunset, the warm stones seem to drink in the desert light.

  The ancient libraries hold fragile treasures. At the Habott Library, medieval manuscripts, yellowed by time, whisper forgotten knowledge. Every page turned feels like a journey back to the city’s golden age.

  Further on, the Ouarane Erg stretches its endless dunes. The wind sculpts fleeting shapes, and when night falls, the sky opens into a breathtaking canopy of stars.

• The Road of Hope

  

  Stretching for over 1,100 kilometers, the Road of Hope is the main route linking Nouakchott, Mauritania’s capital, to the far eastern edge of the country. This legendary journey, between endless dunes and remote villages, reveals an authentic face of Mauritania.

  From the very first kilometers, the arid landscape of the Tagant asserts its grandeur. In Aleg, the lake’s shores offer a rare moment of freshness in this desert setting. Further on, Kiffa, known for its glass bead craftsmanship, invites travelers to make a cultural stop.

  As the road unfolds, the desert becomes denser, blending into the horizon. Ayoun el-Atrous, gateway to the Hodh, signals a wilder Mauritania, where nomadic camps appear amid the savanna. At last, Néma, the final outpost before Mali, marks the end of this timeless odyssey.