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www.dragoman.com Dragoman Overland’s pioneering new 6½-week exploratory ‘Encounter’ from UK to Bamako takes Mauritania seriously instead of missing it out completely or just hugging the coastline in the style of some other operators. The first departure leaves UK on 12th November 2005.
The tour begins by crossing into Africa via the Spanish enclave of Ceuta (and provides a thorough appreciation of Morocco’s cities of Fez, Rabat, Marrakech and the Roman city of Volubilis which precedes the wild and beautiful landscapes of the High Atlas Mountains, the Valley of the Kasbahs and the spectacular Todra Gorge. After a relaxing sojourn amongst the seafood markets and restaurants of Essaouria, Dragoman Overland travel through the disputed UN-monitored territories of Western Sahara, before entering the desert Kingdom of Mauritania at its second city Nouadibou. Once characterised by lakes and lush tropical forests, today Mauritania’s forests are an expanse of desert and its lakes are filled with sand dunes.
Away from the country’s one tarmac arterial route, this is land of hard travelling and Dragoman Overland’s 4wd Mercedes Benz 1622 ‘Encounter-style’ vehicle with triple diff-locks is certainly the right vehicle for the desert crossing.
Heading south, into the heart of the Mauritanian Sahara, the Adrar Mountains, separate the dunefields of Majabat El Koubra and Aoucker deserts. This harsh landscape is host to four of North Africa’s most important cultural centres, the stone-built ksours (cities) of Ouadane, Chinguetti, Tichitt and Oualata, dating from the 12th Century. Founded on tax revenue from the major trans-Saharan trade routes where caravans of up to 30,000 camels once passed carrying all manner of goods through - gold was exchanged for salt (weight for weight), ostrich feathers, dates, wheat and barley together with one of the most valuable cargoes, slaves.
At least two of the remote ksours will be visited, the choice being dependent on driving conditions.
The next stop is Nouakchott, usually only seen as a waymark on aircraft flyshow screens. The largest city in the Sahara it encompasses lively markets and bustling fishing beaches.
From here Dragoman Overland follow the ‘Highway of Hope’ south, detouring into the Sahal region of Tgant and the Oasis of Tidjikja, founded in 1680 by the ‘Idawall’ Moors and home to the country’s largest palm grove. Nearby is the significant year-round water hole of Guejta of Matmata where rock paintings record the enduring presence of Saharan crocodiles.
Leaving Mauritania, entry is made into sub-Saharan Mali through rural floodplains of the mighty Niger River. Here travellers will experience seldom-visited areas, roads are rough and progress is slow but the pace allows for a real appreciation of the country. Arrival in Bamako sees the journey’s end in Mali’s easy-to-navigate capital amongst colourful markets and friendly people.
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