In February 2022, I’ll be leading a group expedition to Mauritania. Only a few spots left!
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How to get a visa, budget & costs, COVID-19 travel restrictions, cultural facts, moving around, how to find accommodation, top experiences and more. This is the most comprehensive and epic guide for traveling to Mauritania available on the internet.
If I had to say one reason to visit Mauritania, I would say that few countries in the world feel as raw.
Until the middle of the 20th century, when the French were ruling the country, up to 90% of all Mauritanians were still carrying out a nomadic, pastoralist lifestyle.
That wasn’t a long time ago.
Today, many from that generation are still alive, so their tribal system and traditional life are completely visible, not only in remote Sahara towns such as Tidjikja, but even the most cosmopolitan people of Nouakchott will wear traditional clothes and have a haima deep into the desert as their second residence.
Backpacking around Mauritania, traveling like the locals do, is the best way to witness the unspoiled Mauritanian lifestyle. If you are lucky, you will travel in a local pick-up loaded with camels, or goats in the worst-case scenario, and taking a break in a Bedouin camp where you will be offered some zrig (fermented yogurt) is almost guaranteed.
In Tidjikja, I once met a Mauritanian who had lived and worked in the USA for almost 10 years. He decided to return to his homeland and, with all the money he saved, he bought tens of camels.
Like in the old times, this is the best business – he said. He was one of the richest men in town now.
And then there is the desert. Mauritania is nearly twice the size of France, yet less than 5 million people live spread across those extensive arid plains, mostly composed of breathtaking desert landscapes, yet to be explored by the average traveler.
Mauritania was on the way of becoming a mass tourism destination (relatively-speaking) but unfortunate events related to the conflict with the Sahel put an end to the industry.
However, Mauritania is still there, awaiting to be discovered by the rawest adventurers.
Look for all the places to visit? Check my 2-week itinerary for Mauritania
In this Mauritania travel guide you will find:
COVID-19 travel bans
Visa
Get in
Best time to visit
Travel insurance
Top experiences
Useful books
Cultural facts
Food
Is it safe
Solo female travel
Money, budget & costs
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Travel Blog – Against the Compass…