Are you ready to join a group trip to Mauritania? It wasn’t initially on my wish list, but I embraced the opportunity with excitement to explore and discover a new corner of the world! The prospect of an adventure in the desert, with nights spent in tented camps and rugged jeep rides through sand dunes, ignited my adventurous spirit—it’s the thrill of the unexpected that fuels my passion for exploration.
In March 2022, amid the lingering effects of the pandemic, I embarked on this unforgettable journey, which surpassed all expectations. Our expedition into the heart of the Mauritanian desert immersed us in captivating landscapes defined by sinuous sand lines and magical hues of sunrises and sunsets.
Covering three-quarters of the Mauritanian territory, the Sahara Desert was the undeniable star of our journey. We kicked off our adventure aboard 4×4 vehicles, the primary mode of transportation alongside camels in this vast desert realm.
For a full week, we immersed ourselves in solitude amidst endless sandscapes, where the shifting dunes created ever-changing patterns in the wind.
The landscape was a mesmerizing palette of orange tones, a sight that never ceased to captivate. I felt at one with the desert, lost in its vivid colors and the expansive horizon—a place where the sun bid us farewell each evening in breathtaking fashion.
One of the most extraordinary aspects of our desert expedition was the profound silence enveloping us—a silence so immense it seemed to amplify our thoughts and reflections. At night, under the vast starry sky, we gathered around crackling fires with our local guides, sipping tea and listening to desert legends—an essential ritual in this enchanting realm.
The tea ceremony is a cornerstone of desert culture, a poetic process where tea is poured three times, each pour imbued with symbolic meaning: the first bitter like death, the second sweet like life, and the third sugary like love. I was fascinated by this ritual, which underscores the desert’s rich heritage and the nomadic communities’ way of life.
Our journey led us to discover hidden treasures like the buried cities and legendary “desert libraries” of Chinguetti. Classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Chinguetti is renowned as the “Sorbonne of the Desert” for its Islamic scholarship tradition. The ancient stone houses of Chinguetti conceal five ancient libraries, housing nearly 7,000 books and invaluable manuscripts brought here through ancient caravan routes.
During the hottest hours of the day, we found refuge in hidden oases, cooling off in water pools—a fleeting paradise in the arid landscape, offering respite from the relentless desert sun!
This experience in the Mauritanian desert was truly magical—a week where time stood still, and the desert revealed its secrets to those willing to listen.
We also witnessed the famous train that traverses the Sahara, covering approximately 700 kilometers between Zoueirat and Nouadhibou. This train holds the record as the longest in the world, comprising over 200 wagons pulled by four locomotives, spanning a total length of three kilometers
Exploring the Mauritanian Sahara was an unforgettable adventure, enriched by unique encounters and moments. For me, two standout experiences were the jeep journey along the Atlantic coast, where we drove for 400 kilometers along the beach with towering dunes on one side and the ocean on the other, and the lively local spectacle of the fish market on the beach.
We were the only tourists amidst this vibrant, picturesque, colorful, chaotic, and bustling scene—a real-life setting that could inspire a film. It was captivating to witness the lively activity of this market, immersed in the evocative backdrop of the Mauritanian coast—a truly unique spectacle!
One of the most amusing moments was stumbling upon a foosball table amidst the bustling fish market. I couldn’t resist joining a Mauritanian local for a game, positioned between the strong fishy odors and on a muddy floor—it was a cultural exchange and authentic fun that made our journey even more special and memorable.
These spontaneous encounters and experiences with the local community are what make travel authentic and unforgettable.
It was moments like these that enriched my experience in the Mauritanian desert, leaving me with cherished memories and a deeper appreciation for diversity.
