We did the desert crossing between Tidjikja and Chinquetti-Atar with two 4 WDs. The first time I heard of this wonderful desert region in Mauritania, was when I heard of the possibilty of crossing this area by feet. I talked with the Dutch organisation HTreizen, which organised this crossing.
It sounded like a fascinating desert trek, walking through canyons, endless plains, sanddunes and rocks. The distance of 250 KM between Terjit (not far from Atar) to Tidjikja would take 12 walking days. I was fascinated about it, but was afraid I could not manage it myself. So year after year after year I decided not to go. But if you are interested in this incredible trekking, look at the link www.htwandelreizen.nl
When I saw finally the possibilty to cross this area by car, organised by transsahara www.transsahara.nl I didn't hesitate any longer.
Finally being in the desert in reality, I knew I made the right decision to go by car instead of walking. Though it looked at the picture Co decided to walk, after some problems with our car, which we called ''Das Bot'' with the motto ''het waarom'' (waarom =why).
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 | Mauritania Off the Beaten Path | Tips 31 - 40 of 62 |  | ||
Popular Off the Beaten Path | Other Off the Beaten Path Tips | All Tips (62)
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 | Tidjikja-Chinquetti, 4WD or walking    |  | |
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 |  on December 31, 2004 |
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| Tidjikja - Chinquetti, en route again | | |
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| on January 1, 2005 |
After Baba, our guide, found out, which way we could go best, we continued again our route through the soft sands and sanddunes. It was very exciting to drive in the middle of these sanddunes without seeing any beginning or end in any directions. Now we were in the middle of this amazing sandy landscape, the stress was gone. We had the feeling, that we could manage it and could conquer every sanddune, especially due to our excellent guide Baba and our good drivers Marius and Johan. For sure, this part of the trip was the highlight of our transsahara. |
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| Rachid, sleepy village in the sand | | |
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| on December 29, 2004 |
Nowadays Rachid, 35 KM north of Tidjikja, doesn't look at all as a place, you have to fear because of pillage. In the contrary it looked as a dusty and sleepy village. We didn't see many people around in the sandy surroundings of the buildings. They all prefer to stay inside their houses and little shops. In the area of Rachid must be a great collection of rock engravings. But we didn't take the time to go there for a visit. We only passed here with the aim to reach the deserttowns in the north within two or three days. |
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| Chinguetti About 700 years... | | |
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 |  on August 25, 2002 |
Chinguetti About 700 years old. Unfortunately the old city has almost completely been abandoned since the camel caravan disappeared. Ancient builing are being completely ruined by carelessness since a lot of people moved to Nouanchott or the new town. Sand is everywhere. Walk around with no destination and be captured by the magic atmosphere. Touristically speaking, the main attraction is the old mosque. However the entrance is forbidden for non muslim. |
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| Ouadane Ouadane Ouadane has... | | |
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| on August 25, 2002 |
Ouadane Ouadane Ouadane has some of the most impressive ruins in Mauritania: ancient walls, old mosque, and houses of former inhabitants. Unfortunately it is being completely destroyed, since people moved to Atar looking for job and leaving the old city almost completely desert. |
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| Tidjikja Founded in 1680,... | | |
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| on August 25, 2002 |
Tidjikja Founded in 1680, Tidjikja is on the road from Nouanchott (610 Km), to Chinguetti (350 km). Lively market where to buy food and water, before moving to the desert. The old mosque is off limits to non–Muslim. If you’re lucky (and show respect), you could be invited to visit a house. It’s interesting to see that people didn’t completely lose their nomadic habits; they set tents in the courtyard and still perform many domestic activities there. |
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| Matmata crocodiles | | |
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 |  on November 2, 2004 |
I saw a green crocodile of Sahara in Matmata, but sorry I wasn't so quick to photograph it.
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| Off the beaten path is... | | |
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 |  on September 8, 2002 |
Off the beaten path is everywhere, but go near Nouakchott to the daily coloured fishing expedition of the Mauritanian sailors, that is people who are launching pirogues in the ocean risking their life every time... incredible live show. |
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| The pic shows a rock painting... | | |
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| on August 25, 2002 |
The pic shows a rock painting near Amojar Pass. I saw it on the ceiling in a cave. I find it resembles an aircraft…let me dream! |
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| I´m not going to recomend a... | | |
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 |  on August 25, 2002 |
I´m not going to recomend a exact place to go, what i think most of people miss when going there it´s people interaction. It´s not enough going there just for doing a nice tour, camels or some other exciting experience at the desert, but for me the best moments of my trip were to share activities or whatever with different cultures, not only maures but also other black tribes in the south. Do not miss. A place which is not usually visited is Diawling National Park which is close to Keur Massene (small town at the southwest).Very interesting (sensational birdwatching) And finally, i recommend you to see fishers arrival (aprox. 17:00 p.m.) at Nouakchott. Perhaps the only it´s worthy at this big city. The contrast of colours and atmosphere is great. |
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More Mauritania Tips
| Overview | General Tips Tips: 22 - Photos: 12 |
| Restaurants Tips: 13 - Photos: 7 | Hotels and Accommodations Tips: 24 - Photos: 15 |
| Things To Do Tips: 64 - Photos: 56 | Nightlife Tips: 1 - Photos: 1 |
| Off the Beaten Path Tips: 62 - Photos: 61 | Tourist Traps Tips: 5 - Photos: 1 |
| Warnings or Dangers Tips: 13 - Photos: 8 | Transportation Tips: 16 - Photos: 13 |
| Local Customs Tips: 14 - Photos: 12 | Packing Lists Tips: 6 - Photos: 4 |
| Shopping Tips: 8 - Photos: 7 | Sports Travel Tips: 1 - Photos: 1 |
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