Planning a trip using public transport in Mauritania

Hello. I'm planning a 15- to 18-day trip starting in mid-March 2027. Among my "finalist" destinations: Mauritania.

My plan: prioritize public transport and, when necessary, hire guides for day trips or multi-day excursions, hoping to team up with other travelers I meet along the way to share costs. After doing some research online and on the forum, I’d love to hear your thoughts on these questions: - In Jordan, are there enough solo travelers to make sharing excursions feasible? - I’m planning to organize my excursions on the spot—does that seem doable? - Beyond the Adrar region with Chinguetti, Ouadane, and Terjit, what other stops should I prioritize? The Banc d'Arguin National Park? The Diawling National Park, maybe with an exploration of the border region with Senegal (Bogué, Kaédi, etc.)? - I’ve been hitchhiking more and more on my trips lately (it’s gotten easier with age!), always adapting to local customs and the country’s situation. Do you think that’s possible in Mauritania? - If I could extend my trip by a few days, I might land in Dakar, visit Saint-Louis, and enter Mauritania via the southern border. Or, over 15–18 days, should I prioritize Dakar and Saint-Louis over exploring other Mauritanian regions that might be harder to reach by public transport? What do you think?

That’s about it... And of course, if you have any other advice or comments, I’m all ears. For the record, beyond Mauritania, which really appeals to me, I’m also looking at Guinea/Togo/Benin/Ghana/Senegal. Text

Hello, for a 15- to 18-day trip using public transport, Mauritania is doable as long as you don’t spread yourself too thin—distances are long, and *taxis-brousse* (shared taxis) often leave only when full. I’d focus the trip on Nouakchott and the Adrar region: buses and shared taxis connect Nouakchott to Atar in a day, and Atar’s a great base for Terjit, then Chinguetti and Ouadane. For Ouadane, which has very limited service, I’d hire a local driver or guide once there. Banc d'Arguin also requires a 4x4 with a driver, so I’d only keep it if the budget allows. Entering via Dakar and Saint-Louis, then heading through Diawling, means going through Rosso or Diama, but that adds several days of travel. For this timeframe, I’d choose either Mauritania alone or Saint-Louis + the Adrar while skipping one stop. In mid-March, the heat in the Adrar is already intense, so I’d plan trips for early morning. Also, make sure to check the travel advisories from your foreign ministry (some areas are advised against) and visa requirements.

Merci Laëtitia Bien sûr l'hypothèse d'une arrivée ou d'une fin de voyage à Dakar est probablement trop ambitieuse avec cette durée de voyage (que j'essaie "d'étirer" à 23 jours... mais il faut bien bosser pour pouvoir voyager 😛). Pour le banc d'Arguin, plus je regarde plus ça me semble compliqué. Je me contenterai peut-être d'un séjour au bord de l'océan vers Nouadhibou. Merci encore !