A Welcome from the Founder

Founded in 2005, Mauritanian Best Tours began with a simple conviction: that this remarkable and lesser-known corner of the Sahara deserves to be shared properly, not glimpsed in passing. As founder, and on behalf of our team of local guides, I am proud to welcome you.

Together we will visit the ancient caravan towns of Chinguetti and Ouadane, stand before the Richat Structure, and discover the hidden oases and timeless landscapes that make Mauritania unlike anywhere else on earth.

Mohamed Lemine El Hassen
Founder and Manager, Mauritanian Best Tours


Is Mauritania Safe to Visit?

This is the question our guests ask most often, and it deserves a direct answer. Every trip with us is private or small-group, and you are accompanied throughout by our own team.

  • Local experts: Our drivers and guides were born in Mauritania and know the desert routes in detail.
  • Your own vehicle: You travel in a private 4×4 with an experienced desert driver and a licensed bilingual guide.
  • Everything arranged for you: We handle fuel, permits and entrance fees, so you do not deal with them yourself.
  • Experience: We have guided travelers across the country since 2005.
  • Proven record: Read what our guests say about their trips on Tripadvisor.

Questions about safety or current conditions? Message us on WhatsApp and we will answer personally.


Who We Are

Mauritanian Best Tours is a local tour operator based in Nouakchott, run by a team of guides born and raised in the Sahara. Since 2005, we have been sharing the beauty of Mauritania with travelers from around the world — from the ancient libraries of Chinguetti to the legendary Iron Ore Train.

We are not a travel agency. We are desert people who know every dune, every caravan route, and every hidden oasis. That local knowledge is what makes your experience real.


What We Offer

We specialize in private and group tours across Mauritania’s most extraordinary landscapes — the Adrar desert, UNESCO ancient cities, the Richat Structure, Terjit oasis, Ben Amera monolith, the Atlantic coast, and the Iron Ore Train.

Every itinerary is flexible and built around you — whether you have 2 days or 2 weeks.


Why Travel With Us

Local guides — Our team is from Mauritania. We speak Arabic, French, and English, and we know this land intimately.

20+ years of experience — We have been guiding since 2005, with hundreds of travelers hosted safely across the desert.

5-star rated — Consistently rated 5 stars on TripAdvisor and GetYourGuide for safety, punctuality, and hospitality.

Tailored itineraries — Every trip is customized to your interests, pace, and budget.

Responsible tourism — We respect and protect Mauritania’s natural and cultural heritage on every tour.

Posted on Tripadvisor Tripadvisor
Dodowings profile picture
Dodowings
Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5Verified
Brilliant day in Nouakchott A brilliant tour, encompassing all the main attractions of Nouakchott. Mohamed was extremely professional, messaging before hand to confirm the bookings and pickup times. In addition to being extremely informative about the society and history of Mauritania, he was good company which is vital when traveling solo. Would love to go back and explore more of Mauritania with Mauritania Best Tours! Thank you Mohamed.

Owner's reply
Thank you so much for your kind words! It was a pleasure showing you Nouakchott, and I look forward to welcoming you back to explore more of Mauritania!
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OnTheGo profile picture
OnTheGo
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Loved the Pictographs Our tour was well planned and very organized. We were here in the heat of the summer and Sellami and Mamby made sure we were comfortable while completing our walking tours. We visited Atar, Oudane and Chinguetti. Mauritania is absolutely amazing. Getting past Nauochott is a must!

Owner's reply
Thank you for your lovely feedback! We’re happy you enjoyed your journey through Mauritania and that our team made you comfortable despite the summer heat. We hope to see you again for more adventures!
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Ngaka
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Desert meets the Atlantic: Banc d’Arguin Mohammed was super nice. He took the time to answer all our questions and offer explanations.
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ALICIA R profile picture
ALICIA R
Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5Verified
A Must-Do Tour in Mauritania I highly recommend this tour. I was in awe of everything we saw and did. I highly recommend our guide as well and would do it all over again. 10/10!

Owner's reply
Thank you so much, Alicia! We're delighted you enjoyed the tour. It was a pleasure showing you around Nouakchott, and we hope to welcome you back to Mauritania someday!
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Cornell B profile picture
Cornell B
Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5Verified
Amazing! I had an amazing tour of Nouakchott thanks to Muhammad. To begin with, before I even arrived in Mauritania he aided me with the right steps in the process to secure my tourist visa. This was highly appreciated on my part. The city tour of Nouakchott itself was fantastic and Muhammed made sure I had everything I needed from exchanging currency to finding all of the souvenirs I was looking for. My highlight of the tour was the visit to the Camel market. The fish market was also very nice given the beautiful scenery of the Atlantic Ocean. Muhammed was an overall great guide and a nice guy to talk to. Especially about the diversity and culture of Mauritania. I highly recommend this tour for anyone interested in visiting Nouakchott.

Owner's reply
Thank you so much for your amazing review and kind words. It was a pleasure to help you discover Nouakchott and Mauritanian culture. I’m very happy you enjoyed the camel market, fish market, and the overall experience.Thank you for your recommendation, and I hope to welcome you again in Mauritania!Best regards,Mohamed – Mauritanian Best Tours
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Jared H profile picture
Jared H
Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5Verified
Great City Tour I contacted Mohamad on WhatsApp to arrange a private Nouakchott City Tour and he responded right away and provided clear pricing. My flight ended up arriving a day late, but Mohamad easily changed the date of my tour without issue. He picked me up promptly at my hotel and gave me a wonderful 6-hour guided tour of everything worth seeing in Nouakchott. Highlights were the camel market, massive fish market, and people watching while drinking mint tea. I was taken great care of, and had really good conversations! Would recommend 100%

Owner's reply
Thank you very much for your kind review !It was a pleasure showing you Nouakchott, and I’m glad you enjoyed the tour and our time together.You’re always welcome back, and thank you for the recommendation!
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Dan Thu profile picture
Dan Thu
Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5Verified
Superb tour to the Adrar region This was a truly perfectly organized all-inclusive 4-day tour to the Adrar Plateau. From the booking process and pre-tour communication to the tour itself, everything was faultless: comfortable transportation, the super friendly, fun, and helpful guide and driver (thank you Ahmoud and Mohamed!), good hotels with restaurants, and, of course, the amazing ancient caravan towns of Ouadane and Chinguetti and the magnificent natural landscapes of the desert (the Richat structure, sand dunes, canyons, valleys, and the lush green oasis of Terjit). I highly recommend this tour if you are short on time but would like to experience a bit of the Mauritanian desert!

Owner's reply
Thank you for your wonderful review! We’re very happy you enjoyed your 4-day tour in Adrar and that everything was well organized.It was a pleasure guiding you through Ouadane, Chinguetti, the Richat Structure, and Terjit. Your kind words mean a lot to us.You are always welcome back!Warm regards,Mohamed
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Pathfinder795729
Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5Verified
Great tour with helpful staff Excellent tour with helpful staff; I was well fed with great food along the way. Driver and guide were reliable, punctual and trustworthy. Great itinerary!
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Matvl profile picture
Matvl
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Great day of exploring I had a great day in Nouakchott with Mohammed. We had communicated via WhatsApp in advance and Mohammed picked me up at my hotel as expected. We visited some of the city sites including the museum and central market, went to the camel market and the fishing port and had a great lunch of thieboudienne followed by Mauritanian tea. Mohammed was helpful, knowledgeable and interesting and I’d certainly recommend him.
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roger_martins profile picture
roger_martins
Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5Verified
Thank you for the unforgettable Mauritania trip A fabulous 8-day trip for two through Mauritania, taking in a variety of desert, coastal and urban landscapes, with visits to historic sites and UNESCO World Heritage sites. The itinerary was Akjoujt, Azouega, Atar, Ouadane, Richat Structure, Chinguetti, Tejit, Banc d’Arguin, Nouakchott. We were accompanied by the brilliant guide Mohamed and the experienced driver Ibrahim, who were incredibly dedicated, attentive, friendly and always concerned for our well-being. Mohamed was extraordinary in organising the trip, always available, clear in his communications, and offering competitive and fair prices. The trip went exactly as agreed, without changes. I recommend 'Mauritania Best Tours' without any hesitation and without any ‘buts’.

4-day private Adrar tour from Nouakchott: Atar, Amogjar rock art, the Richat Structure, Ouadane, Chinguetti, and the Terjit oasis.

4 Days – 3 Nights
€1350

10-hour private Banc d'Arguin tour from Nouakchott: coastal desert drive, tea on the beach at El Mamghar, birdwatching, and a fresh seafood lunch.

10 Hours
€300

Enjoy stress-free airport pickup with Mauritanian Best Tours in Nouakchott.

1 Hour
€50

Explore Chinguetti’s mosque, ancient libraries, rock art, scenic oases, and Mauritania’s stunning desert and culture.

2 Days – 1 Night
€750

Discover Mauritania’s desert beauty, ancient cities, rich culture, and untouched Atlantic coast.

7 Days – 6 Nights
€1900

Mauritanian Tour: Train, Desert & UNESCO Sites

8 Days – 7 Nights
€2200
Is Mauritania safe to travel to?

Mauritania is generally safe for travelers, but choosing an experienced operator matters. Make sure your guide regularly checks with local authorities for security updates. We have been doing this since 2005 — and hundreds of travelers from around the world have toured with us without incident.

Do I need a visa to visit Mauritania?

Most nationalities can obtain a Mauritania e-visa online before arrival. We have a dedicated visa guide on our website to walk you through the process step by step. We are also happy to answer any visa questions directly — just contact us on WhatsApp.

What is the best time of year to visit Mauritania?

The best time to visit is between October and March, when temperatures are comfortable and the desert is at its most beautiful. We do run tours year-round, but we recommend avoiding the peak summer months of June to August when heat in the Sahara can be extreme.

Can you build a custom itinerary for my trip?

Absolutely. Every tour we run is tailored to you. Tell us how many days you have, what interests you — desert, history, wildlife, the Iron Ore Train — and your budget, and we will design your perfect Mauritania itinerary. There is no extra charge for customization.

What languages do your guides speak?

Our guides speak Arabic, French, and English. We work with travelers from all over the world and will match you with the guide best suited to your language and interests.

What is included in your tours?

This depends on the tour, but most of our packages include private 4×4 transport, accommodation (desert camps and guesthouses), meals, and a dedicated local guide throughout. Everything is clearly listed on each tour page. If you have specific needs — dietary requirements, accessibility, particular accommodation preferences — just let us know and we will accommodate.

How far in advance should I book?How far in advance should I book?

We recommend booking at least 4 to 6 weeks in advance, especially for travel between October and March when demand is highest. That said, we do our best to accommodate last-minute requests — contact us and we will see what we can arrange.

Do you accept solo travelers, couples, and groups?

Yes to all three. We regularly welcome solo adventurers, couples, families, and groups of all sizes. Private tours are available for any group size, and we occasionally run small group departures for travelers who prefer to share costs.

How do I get a quote or book a tour?

The easiest way is to contact us directly on WhatsApp at +222 27 27 27 59 or by email at contact@mauritanian-best-tours.com. Tell us your travel dates, group size, and what you want to see, and we will get back to you within 24 hours with a personalized itinerary and quote.

Our Team

Mauritania desert tour experience

M L El Hassen

Founder & CEO

Issa, Mauritanian Best Tours desert guide

M Issa

Lead Guide

Abdullah

Lead Driver

Sellami

Tour Guide