7 Days From Dakhla To Dakar Via Nouakchott

DAY 1 : Dakhla – Nouakchott

Your private coastal tour from Marrakech to Dakhla will start early in the morning with a pick up from your hotel with our speaking English driver/guide.

Leaving Dakhla heading directly through the Mauritanian borders, we stop here for about 3 hours to check our papers and passports… After we will have a long drive to Nouadhibou. Lunch will be planned depends our time in the road and for sure we will have a unique picnic in one of the nicest places near borders.

Arrive to Nouadhibou in the afternoon.Today, it is considered as the economic capital of Mauritania thanks to its mineral port which ensures the export of iron ore mined in Zouerate to the industrial countries, but also at its industrial fishing port, where a large number of vessels are moored, tracking their prey in the world’s most fish-bearing waters. Nouadhibou is built along a north-south axis stretching for about 10 km along Median Boulevard to the north and the Cansado Road to the south.

Overnight in Nouadhibou.

DAY 2 : Nouadhibou – Akjoujt

After breakfast in Nouadhibou, you will have the chance to have a visit of 1 hour to this beautiful city, when leaving Nouadhibou with some luck we’ll get to see the world famous iron ore train as approach the Mauritania-Western Sahara border. This train is said to be the longest in the world, sometimes up to 2.5kms long, and carries huge amounts of iron ore from the mines near Zouerat in the east of Mauritania to the coast at Nouadhibou. Locals often travel on top of the iron ore out in the open, wrapped up from head to toe to protect themselves from the dust.

Lunch as usual will be as a picnic in one of the nicest landscapes between Nouadhibou and Akjoujt.

From here we drive directly through Akjoujt which is an old mining town in the centre-west of Mauritania. Capital of the Inchiri region, the town is close to the border with the Adrar region. We arrive to Akjoujt in the late afternoon and we will finish our day with a drop you off at your accommodation.

DAY 3 : Akjoujt – Chinguetti

After breakfast in Akjoujt we will pick up you from your hotel, and we will drive for about 3 and half hour to reach the city of Chinguetti, it may not be as popular as other cities in Mauritania, but don’t let that fool you. Chinguetti is a smaller but beautiful upcoming tourist destination that is worth a visit. You will be surprised by some of the unique things to do and places you can explore at this hidden destination. Lunch will be planned as a picnic in one of the nicest panoramas before arrive to Chinguetti.

Next in the afternoon we will visit the oasis of Chinguetti and Habott library that is about two hundred years old. It was created by Ehel Habott from his own manuscripts, to which he added manuscripts brought from the four corners of the Muslim empire, and manuscripts edited by himself and his children. The library now contains 1,450 manuscripts on twelve themes, including geography, mathematics, astronomy and religious sciences; the oldest is 960 years old. Next to the library is a museum in which one can observe some traditional ancient objects. After that we walk through erg Ouarane dunes to catch the sunset.

Overnight in Chinguetti.

DAY 4 : Chinguetti – Nouakchott

Wake up in the early morning to drive so long through Nouakchott via Atar and Akjoujt.

Then we head down the Atlantic coast to the villages of the Imragen people, renowned for using dolphins to help them catch the fish one which depend. We explore the Banc d’Arguin National Park with its impressive bird population.

Lunch will be planned as usual in the road.

When arrive in the capital Nouakchott there might be the chance to spend some time in the city to visit sites of interest. The fish market, or port de peche, is considered one of the liveliest in all of West Africa, and guaranteed to impress with dozens of colorful fishing boats lined up along the beach. It’s also worth visiting the bustling central market and grand mosque to go people watching.

Overnight in Nouakchott.

DAY 5 : Nouakchott – Saint Louis (Senegal)

After breakfast, your private Africa tour leads you today from the capital Nouakchott to Saint-Louis. A long day awaits us as we head south for about 4 hours of driving with our packed lunches. Depending on the weather and road conditions we will cross the border into Senegal at either Diana or Rosso, and say goodbye to Nouakchott.

We might stay here few hours for checking the passport as usual in border ports.

Arrive to Saint-Louis that was founded in 1659 on the island by Norman sailors. It is the oldest colonial city on the West African coast. It was the administrative and political capital of the French territories of West Africa, Mauritania and Senegal. The name Saint-Louis is given to this island in honor of the King of France.

We can’t talk about Saint-Louis, not to mention the famous Faidherbe bridge. This bridge was created in 1897 following the sinking of a frigate (the jellyfish) which brought 400 French soldiers and officials to Senegal in 1816.

Overnight in Saint-Louis.

DAY 6 : Saint-Louis Sightseeing

Enjoy a full day sightseeing tour in Saint Louis, you will have the opportunity to visit the impressive fishing harbour. Here you can see the colorful fishing boats launching into the river as they head off to cast their nets, and the frenetic activity as they return with their catch and the bartering for the fish begins! You’ll see the fishermen working on their boats along the shoreline it’s quite a sight as dozens of men chisel huge chunks of timber into shape and lovingly decorate them with bright color schemes!

After we visit also Djoudj National Bird Park that is located about 60 klm north of Saint-Louis. This park is a true paradise for migratory birds and is now the third largest ornithological reserve in the world.

We visit also the Parc National de la Langue de Barbarie is named after the spit of land separating the Senegal River from the Atlantic Ocean.

Overnight in Saint Louis .

DAY 7 : Saint Louis – Dakar

Today is the end of our tour. Say goodbye to Saint Louis and take the road through the capital of Senegal Dakar. After lunch we will say goodbye to you after drop you off at your accommodation to have some rest and be ready to explore Dakar, that has a long history and rich cultural heritage.

On the next day try to take in the highlights of the city, then cruise out to explore the UNESCO-listed Goree Island.

See landmarks such as the Presidential Palace and the Monument of African renaissance; browse the markets for traditional handicrafts; then learn about Dakar’s dark past on a tour of Goree Island, including the House of Slaves.

We hope our service and work will brought a smile to your face and make your life just a little easier.  Thank you for reading our itinerary!