Mauritania - West Africa

Where the Sahara
meets the sea

Extraordinary journeys through one of Earth's last great wildernesses — ancient cities, endless dunes, and Atlantic horizons.

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12+
Years of expertise
800+
Travellers hosted
7
Signature experiences
4.9★
Average rating
700km
Iron ore train route

Our Experiences

Choose your
adventure

From overnight desert camps to legendary train rides — each Yolo experience is crafted to reveal Mauritania's soul.

★ Signature
The Iron Ore
Train Expedition
10 Days-Nouakchott → Nouadhibou-All levels

Board the world's longest train and ride 700km of Saharan silence — from the capital to the edge of the Atlantic.

$1,320 / person
Heritage
Ben Amera Monolith
7 Days-Ain Ben Tili, Mauritania

Trek to the foot of Africa's largest monolith, rising 633m from the desert floor in one of the most remote landscapes on earth.

$1,120 / person
Coastal
Mheijratt — Where the Ocean meets the Desert
3 Days-Atlantic Coast

Stand where Atlantic surf crashes against golden dunes — two worlds colliding in breathtaking silence at the edge of Africa.

$620 / person
Oasis
Terjit Oasis Retreat
2 Days-Terjit Springs

Cool your feet in crystal springs hidden inside steep desert cliffs, surrounded by palms and birdsong deep in the Sahara.

$450 / person
Coastal
Atlantic Coast & Banc d'Arguin
5 Days-Nouadhibou coast

Sail through a UNESCO World Heritage site where flamingos and pelicans gather at the meeting point of ocean and desert.

$890 / person
Expedition
Eye of Africa Expedition
8 Days-Guelb er Richat
$1,480 / person

City Experiences

Discover Mauritania's
legendary cities

From ancient UNESCO caravan towns to Atlantic port cities — each destination tells a different chapter of Mauritania's story.

Nouakchott
Capital - Atlantic Coast
Where the Sahara meets the sea — the vibrant capital with its camel market, fishing port, and cultural heart.
Nouadhibou
Port City - Cap Blanc Peninsula
Gateway to the iron ore train and the legendary ship graveyard on the Atlantic edge.
Dakhla
Oasis Town - Adrar Region
A hidden oasis town surrounded by dramatic desert plateaux and ancient rock art.
Oualata
UNESCO · Ancient Caravan City
One of the most remote UNESCO World Heritage cities — famous for extraordinary painted facades and ancient manuscripts.
Chinguetti
UNESCO · 7th Holy City of Islam
The fabled seventh city of Islam — ancient libraries, timeless dunes, and a minaret unchanged for centuries.
Tichitt
UNESCO - Ancient Stone City
One of Africa's oldest cities — an off-the-beaten-path UNESCO treasure of ancient stone architecture.
Atar
Gateway · Adrar Plateau
Gateway to the Adrar's spectacular plateaux, gorges and ancient caravan towns of the Sahara.
Ouadane
UNESCO · Saharan Trading Hub
Ancient walled city and crossroads of trans-Saharan trade — its narrow stone streets and ruined medina await.

Explore the territory

Mauritania, mapped

Mauritania destination map
Capital - Atlantic Coast

Nouakchott

Capital city and cultural center, with lively markets, Atlantic fishing boats, and the easiest starting point for a Mauritania journey.

Camel MarketFishing PortCity WalksCulture
Port City - Cap Blanc Peninsula

Nouadhibou

Coastal city near Banc d'Arguin, known for Atlantic views, fishing culture, and access to the iron ore train route.

Atlantic CoastIron Ore TrainFishingCap Blanc
Gateway - Adrar Plateau

Atar

Gateway to the Adrar's plateaux, dramatic gorges, and ancient caravan towns of the Sahara.

Desert TreksOasis WalksRock ArtAdrar
UNESCO - 7th Holy City of Islam

Chinguetti

Historic desert city known for ancient libraries, sand-filled streets, and centuries of Saharan scholarship.

UNESCO HeritageAncient LibrariesDune ClimbingMedina
UNESCO - Saharan Trading Hub

Ouadane

Old caravan town and UNESCO heritage area, built from stone on the edge of the desert plateau.

UNESCO HeritageStone MedinaDesert TrekkingCaravansary
Adrar - Eye of the Sahara

Richat Structure

The famous Eye of the Sahara, a vast circular landform best visited from the Adrar region.

GeologyDesert DriveAerial ViewsAdrar
UNESCO - Ancient Stone City

Tichitt

One of Africa's oldest cities, an off-the-beaten-path UNESCO treasure of ancient stone architecture.

UNESCO HeritageStone CityRemote RouteHistory
UNESCO - Ancient Caravan City

Oualata

Remote caravan city famous for hand-painted geometric facades and manuscripts kept in family libraries.

UNESCO HeritagePainted FacadesManuscriptsRemote

Sample Itinerary

10 Days across
Mauritania

Our flagship journey takes you from the Atlantic coast deep into the Sahara and back — aboard the world's longest train.

1
Day 1–2
Arrival in Nouakchott
Explore the camel market and Port de Peche, Mauritania's legendary fishing harbour. Overnight in the capital.
2
Day 3
Azoueiga Dunes
Drive into the Sahara to camp beside Africa's tallest sand dunes. Sunset camel trek and traditional dinner under the stars.
3
Day 4–5
Terjit Oasis & Chinguetti
Swim in ancient desert springs, then wander the winding streets of UNESCO-listed Chinguetti.
4
Day 6–7
Ouadane & Desert Camp
Visit the ruins of ancient Ouadane. Overnight in a private tented desert camp.
5
Day 8–9
The Iron Ore Train
Board the world's longest train — 700km through the heart of the Sahara to Nouadhibou.
6
Day 10
Departure from Nouadhibou
Final morning at the Atlantic coast before your international flight.
Since 2012

About Yolo

We live here.
We'll show you everything.

Yolo was born from a deep love of Mauritania — its vast silence, ancient cultures, and landscapes that feel untouched by time. Our guides are locals, our camps are sustainably built, and every journey is designed to connect you with something real.

We believe Mauritania is one of the great undiscovered destinations on Earth. We're here to change that — carefully, respectfully, and with extraordinary care for the places and people we encounter.

100%
Local guides
Low-impact
Travel philosophy

Traveller Stories

What our guests say

★★★★★

"The Iron Ore Train night was one of the most extraordinary experiences of my life. Lying on iron ore, watching the Milky Way roll overhead across the Sahara — nothing compares."

Sophie M.France - Iron Ore Expedition
★★★★★

"Our guide's knowledge of the desert was humbling. He knew every dune, every oasis, every family along the route. We weren't tourists — we were guests of the Sahara."

David K.Germany - Ancient Cities Tour
★★★★★

"Booking via WhatsApp was so easy — the team responded within an hour and customised everything for us. The camp at Erg Amatlich brought tears to my eyes. Perfect."

Priya R.UK - Sahara Star Camp