About Us
Built in Nouakchott, Made for the Sahara
Sahara Iron Trail is a Mauritania tour operator based in Nouakchott. We run small-group trips into the Adrar desert and along the Atlantic coast, built around four experiences we think define the country: the Terjit oasis, the ancient library city of Chinguetti, the wetlands of the Banc d'Arguin National Park, and — the trip most people come for — a night aboard the iron ore train.
Why the Iron Ore Train
Mauritania's iron ore train is one of the longest trains in the world, and riding it overnight across the Sahara from Choum to Nouadhibou is unlike anything else on a Mauritania tour. Between us, our guides have made the crossing more than 50 times since 2019.
Local, Not Franchised
Every driver, cook and guide on a Sahara Iron Trail tour is Mauritanian, most from Nouakchott, Atar or the communities around Terjit and Chinguetti. Local knowledge is the whole product.
Small Groups
We cap every departure — from the Terjit oasis to the Banc d'Arguin National Park — at a small group size so the pace stays unhurried and the 4x4s stay light on the desert tracks.
Responsible Travel
In the Banc d'Arguin National Park we travel exclusively with licensed Imraguen guides, and in Chinguetti we pay manuscript libraries directly for every visit — tourism that puts money into the communities we visit.
Meet the Team
Cheikh started Sahara Iron Trail in 2019. He grew up in the Tagant region of Mauritania and wanted more people to discover Mauritania and its beauty. He guides in English, French and Arabic.
Every tour is guided in English, French or Arabic by our Mauritanian team, and between them our guides have ridden the iron ore train more than 50 times.
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Cheikh
Founder
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Abdelahi
Guide
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Dah
Guide
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Ely Cheikh
Guide
2019
Guiding travellers in Mauritania since
50+
Iron ore train crossings by our guides
4
Mauritanian guides, founder included
3
Guide languages: English, French, Arabic
Ready to see Mauritania?
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