A place apart
One of the Sahara's least-visited countries
Mauritania sees very few foreign visitors, meaning genuine solitude and unscripted encounters throughout.
MauritaniaAfricaFrom £2,7503 tours
Mauritania Tours & Holidays
Mauritania holidays that open one of the Sahara's most untravelled corners — ancient caravan cities, sweeping golden dunes and nomadic life barely changed in centuries.
- Best timeNovember and February
- Time zoneGMT+0
- CurrencyMauritanian Ouguiya (MRU)
- LanguageArabic (official), French (widely used)
Overview
An introduction to Mauritania
Mauritania remains one of West Africa's last genuinely uncrowded countries — a Saharan giant where the dunes outnumber the people. Stretched between the Atlantic and the Sahel, it carries the weight of trans-Saharan trade routes and a nomadic culture that has barely shifted in centuries. From the UNESCO caravan cities of Chinguetti and Ouadane to the geological wonder of the Richat Structure, the country offers the kind of unhurried, unscripted travel that is increasingly hard to find.
Our small group Mauritania tour packages head deep into the Adrar region by private 4×4, taking you from Nouakchott's Atlantic coast to the ancient libraries of Chinguetti, the medieval ruins of Ouadane, the natural pools of Mherith and Terjit oases, and the prehistoric rock art of Amogjar Canyon, with time spent with nomadic families along the way. Groups are small — a maximum of 12 — for a personal, flexible experience with expert local guidance throughout. Private and tailor-made options are also available.
Explore
Mauritania
Our journeys
All toursTours in Mauritania
Small-group departures led by local experts, plus private tailor-made itineraries shaped around your interests, pace and dates.
Why visit
What makes Mauritania worth the journey
01
Two UNESCO World Heritage Sites in one tour
Chinguetti and Ouadane are among the oldest surviving cities in West Africa, their libraries still holding medieval Islamic manuscripts.
The Eye of Africa up close
The Richat Structure is one of the world's most extraordinary geological formations, and this tour reaches its interior by 4×4.
03
Real nomadic immersion
An overnight stay with the Chighali family at Tenochert Oasis offers authentic desert hospitality, not a performance
See itinerariesHighlights
The highlights of Mauritania
Mauritania rewards travellers who slow down — the best stories are found off the tour-bus route.
From the field
When to go
Picking the right season for your trip
Sweet spot: Feb · Nov
Our Mauritania tours depart in November and February — the two coolest, most comfortable months for desert travel. Daytime temperatures in the Adrar region are warm but manageable during these periods, while nights in the desert can be cold, especially in February. The Mauritanian summer (June–September) brings extreme heat across the Sahara. The Atlantic coast at Nouakchott is milder year-round thanks to ocean breezes, but the interior desert regions can be bitterly cold after dark in winter.
Tours departing in this window
From the journal
All storiesStories from the region
Dispatches, field notes and practical advice from our specialists.
Voices from the road
What travellers say about us
Reviews from across our small-group programme. Independently rated 4.9 Excellent on AITO by 250+ travellers.
Can’t find the right fit?
Every one of our Mauritania journeys can be rebuilt around your dates, pace and interests — or we’ll design something entirely new.
Gallery
Tap any imageScenes from Mauritania
Tailor-made journeys
Didn’t find your
perfect Mauritania trip?
We’ll build one around you.
If you'd prefer to explore Mauritania on your own schedule, we can create a private itinerary built entirely around your interests. You might spend longer in Chinguetti exploring its manuscript libraries, take an extended camel trek across the Azoueiga dunes, or add time at the Richat Structure or Amogjar Canyon. Accommodation can be upgraded and pacing adjusted to suit. You may also wish to extend into the Ouadane region or spend more time with nomadic communities at Tenochert Oasis. Tailor-made departures are available on dates of your choosing with a dedicated English-speaking guide and private 4×4 transport throughout. Contact our team to begin planning your Mauritania holiday.
Your dates
Travel when it suits you
Private group
Just you, family or friends
Your pace
Linger longer, skip the rest
Bespoke extras
Private guides, rare access
Typical reply within 3 working days · No obligation · Trusted by travellers since 2004
How it works
- 1Tell us what you have in mind
- 2We build an itinerary + quote
- 3Refine until it feels right
Est. 2004
20+ years of
bespoke travel
bespoke travel
Questions, answered
Planning a trip to Mauritania?
Our 9-day small-group Mauritania holiday starts from £2,750 per person, with a single room supplement of £200. The price includes all meals, accommodation, private 4×4 transport, entrance fees, English-speaking local guide, and airport transfers. International flights, visa fees (approximately €55, payable on arrival), travel insurance and gratuities are not included. See the tour page for a full inclusions list.
Before you go
Essential information
Shared across all tours that visit this destination. Read alongside your individual tour dossier for trip-specific details.
Foreign Office travel advice
The FCDO currently advises against all but essential travel to parts of Mauritania along the borders with Western Sahara, Algeria and Mali. However, these areas are entirely outside the regions visited on this tour. The itinerary covers Nouakchott, the Adrar region, Chinguetti, Ouadane, Terjit Oasis and Atar — none of which are subject to FCDO 'against all or all but essential' travel advisories. We monitor FCDO guidance closely and will inform all clients of any changes. Please visit foreign-travel-advice for the latest information.
Ready when you areStart planning your
Start planning your
Mauritania adventure
Join a small-group departure, or let our Mauritania specialists craft a private journey shaped around your dates and interests.
