Day 1

Oct 16

Arrive Nouakchott

Arrive in Mauritania and transfer to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, we could include some initial sightseeing in Nouakchott rather than devoting a complete day to the capital.

Day 2

Oct 17

Nouakchott to Azoueiga Leave Nouakchott and travel by 4x4 into the Adrar region

After breakfast, begin the journey into the desert, driving towards the magnificent dunes of Azoueiga. Along the way, enjoy several scenic stops and a picnic lunch near the caves of Agjout. Arrive at Azoueiga in the late afternoon and climb the dunes to watch the sunset over the vast Saharan landscape. Your crew will have prepared a comfortable desert camp where dinner is served beneath the stars.

Desert Camp, Azoueiga

Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner

Day 3

Oct 18

Travel through the spectacular White Valley, a region known for its pale sands, striking rock formations and isolated nomadic settlements. Along the way there will be opportunities to meet local nomadic families and learn about life in the Sahara. Continue to the Mherith Oasis for lunch and enjoy a refreshing swim in its natural pools surrounded by palm trees and dramatic desert scenery. Later, continue to Chinguetti, one of Mauritania's most important historic settlements and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, arriving in time for sunset over the dunes.

Eden Guesthouse

Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner

Day 4

Oct 19

Day 5

Oct 20

Explore the ruins of ancient Ouadane before travelling towards the extraordinary Richat Structure, the geological formation known as the Eye of Africa. Continue towards Atar for the night.

After breakfast, travel along part of the ancient trans Saharan trade route towards Ouadane, one of Mauritania's most important medieval caravan cities and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore the atmospheric ruins of the old town, including the famous Street of Forty Scholars. Continue to the remarkable Richat Structure, better known as the Eye of Africa. Visible from space and measuring approximately 40 kilometres across, this extraordinary geological formation remains one of the Sahara's greatest mysteries. Enjoy time to explore and photograph the site before returning to Ouadane for the evening.

Day 6

Oct 21

Day 7

Oct 22

St Louis

Day 8

Oct 23

We spend the morning exploring historic Saint Louis before travelling south towards the Saly and Somone area.

Here we visit Somone Lagoon and a Fulani village, giving us an opportunity to experience a more rural side of Senegal and somewhere different from the places you have visited previously.

Saly area

Day 9

Oct 24

We transfer to Dakar Airport for our flight to Bissau.

On arrival in Guinea-Bissau, we meet our local team and transfer to the hotel. Depending on the flight schedule, there may also be some time to begin exploring Bissau.

Bissau

Day 10

Oct 25

We travel by boat from Bissau into the Bijagós Archipelago and continue to Orango National Park.

We begin exploring the islands, their communities and the distinctive landscapes of this remote archipelago.

Orango National Park

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11

Oct 26

We spend a full day exploring Orango, travelling by boat and on foot through its mangroves and savannah landscapes towards Anor Lake.

This is one of the areas associated with the archipelago's rare saltwater hippos, although of course wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed.

Orango National Park

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12

Oct 27

We have another full day to explore the Bijagós, concentrating on the traditional communities, culture and natural environment of the islands. I wanted to retain plenty of time here as I know Guinea-Bissau is an important part of the journey for you. Pasted text

Orango National Park

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 13

Oct 28

We return by boat to Bissau. Depending on the boat schedule and our arrival time, we can spend the remainder of the day exploring Bissau and its historic centre.

Day 14

Oct 29