MAURITANIAN OASIS
Discover Mauritania with a local guide.
Authentic, tailor-made adventure
Tailor-made journeys, 4×4 expeditions and Sahara adventures with Abdel Aziz, an experienced Mauritanian guide.
The gems of the Mauritanian Sahara
Our destinations: From Banc d’Arguin National Park to the ancient caravan cities, every stop reveals a side of Mauritania that few travellers ever get to see.
National Park
Banc d’Arguin
A protected natural reserve and sanctuary for migratory birds between the desert and the Atlantic Ocean.
Historic city
Chinguetti
The ancient caravan city, home to centuries-old libraries and streets slowly reclaimed by the dunes.
Desert trekking
Adrar
Mauritania’s historic heartland: a vast rocky plateau of canyons, dunes and ancient rock art.
Adventure
Iron Ore Train
Experience a remarkable journey alongside the legendary iron ore train from Choum to Nouadhibou.
4×4 expedition
Toumbahjit
A remote desert stop explored on treks and 4×4 journeys between Chinguetti and Terjit.
Oasis
Terjit
A palm grove hidden within the Adrar plateau, offering an unexpected haven of greenery and cool water.
Explore Mauritania on the map
From the Eye of the Sahara to Banc d’Arguin, discover the major stops on a journey through Mauritania. Select the markers to explore destinations, routes and practical travel guides.
- Suggested Adrar route to the Eye of the Sahara
- Iron ore railway
Schematic lines between the selected stops, not precise GPS tracks.
View distances and connections
- Atar — Terjit Oasis35 km · RoadApproximate distance by road.
- Terjit Oasis — Chinguetti95 km · RoadApproximate distance by road.
- Chinguetti — Ouadane75 km · RoadApproximate distance by road.
- Ouadane — Richat Structure / Eye of the Sahara30 km · 4×4Track to the Richat Structure; approximate distance on unpaved tracks.
- Zouérat — Choum180 km · TrainApproximate distance along the railway.
- Choum — Ben Amera65 km · TrainApproximate distance along the railway.
- Ben Amera — Nouadhibou430 km · TrainApproximate distance along the railway.
Experience the Sahara, for real
Here are a few ideas. Your journey can also be tailored to your interests, pace and travel style.
4×4 Desert Tours
Tailor-made itineraries from 3 to 15 days with an experienced Mauritanian driver-guide.
Bivouac Under the Stars
Spend the night deep among the dunes around a campfire—an experience you will never forget.
Nomadic Communities
Meet the people of the desert and experience Mauritanian culture in an authentic way.
Heritage Sites
Chinguetti, Ouadane, Oualata and Tichitt—four UNESCO-listed caravan cities that our guide will help you discover in depth.
Ready for an adventure?
There is no mass tourism here. Every journey is designed to respect the land, local communities and your own pace.
Local guide in Mauritania
Abdel Aziz
Experienced local expert
- French · English · Spanish · Arabic
Plan your journey with a local guide who knows the desert tracks, oases, ancient cities and realities on the ground. Abdel Aziz will help you create an itinerary suited to your available time, interests and preferred pace.
They experienced it
What our travellers say
★★★★★
“A life-changing journey. Abdel took us to places no conventional tour guide would have taken us. The bivouac in Chinguetti, beneath that incredible sky… I have no words.” — Sophie M., France
★★★★★
“Perfect organisation, a comfortable 4×4 and a guide who knows the desert like the back of his hand. Every day brought a new discovery. We are coming back next year!” — Marc & Claire, Belgium
★★★★★
“Mauritania from the inside, not from a tourist bus. The welcome from nomadic families and tea shared at sunset revealed a rare humility and generosity.” — Thomas L., Canada
“This page is part of our complete Mauritania travel guide, where you will find practical advice, suggested itineraries and the country’s essential destinations.”
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Why travel with sub-saharan.net?
- 👨🏽🌵 Local guide: Aziz, co-founder and Mauritanian guide, shares genuine knowledge gained through years of experience on the ground.
- 🗺️ Fully tailor-made itineraries: Adapted to your interests, pace and budget.
- 🌍 Responsible adventure: Respect for local communities, the environment and Mauritanian traditions.
- ⭐ A unique experience: Remote places and genuine encounters far from mass tourism.
“A timeless journey with a passionate guide and flawless organisation. We discovered the desert in a way we never could have imagined.”
— Family D., France