Across Mauritania
The Road Chose Me Volume 2 OUT NOW!!
The Road Chose Me Volume 2: Three years and 54,000 miles around Africa
Making tracks in the Mauritanian sand
After a lot of back and forward, I decide I will not explore Mauritania. The distances are vast, and I’m not certain I will be able to buy gas in the remote areas of the desert I’m interested in exploring. I would love to drive out to Atar to see the world’s longest train, but I can’t carry enough gas to get there and back comfortably, and there really is no way to find out if they actually have gas there or not. To be perfectly honest, I’m also kind of done with the endless sand and intense sun beating down day after day.
I’m done with the desert. I’m ready for something else.
The dunes in Mauritania are spectacular
Gas shortages are very common in Mauritania, and even when it can be found it has a reputation for being extremely low octane and very expensive – to counter this I filled my Titan tank and the stock tank on the Jeep full to the brim at the last station in Morocco.
The highway is paved, but full of nasty pot holes that sneak up at 60mph
I drive straight South into the capital city, Nouakchott, putting in a massive day and arriving in the city right on dusk. It’s dark as I make my way on severely crumbling roads to the Auberge Menata, a famous Overland hangout right in the city centre. The place is deserted, save for the sad-looking monkey tied to a short rope. I spend a couple of days in the city getting a visa for a future country and buying insurance to cover the Jeep for most of the countries in West Africa for the next 6 months. I venture downtown to the market, and am a little shocked by the poverty and desperation I see. It’s by far the worst I have ever seen in my life.
The city is very decrepit and dirty, a result of recent severe droughts and a military coup in 2008.
The pet turtle at the Auberge Sahara
Moving gas from my Titan Tank into the main tank
After a couple of nights I move over to the Auberge Sahara across town, and am immediately happy with that choice. It’s certainly not cleaner, but I happen to bump into William, a French-Canadian riding south on an old Honda motorbike he has just bought this week in the city. His route looks similar to mine, though he will cut through The Central African Republic to cross the continent, and end his journey somewhere around Kenya.
Camels are all over the place – hard to say if they are wild or not
More endless dunes
Hanging out with more camels
Warthogs! Right on the side of the road. My first genuinely African animal spot!
In the morning I again aim South, heading towards what is commonly called “The Worst Border in Africa”.
-Dan
Being in 120 degree heat can’t be fun for too long. I’d imagine running your AC is a waste of gas and wonder how well it works in those conditions anyway. Thanks for taking the time to write this. Can’t wait to hear about the border
Nick,
Yeah, it’s hot alright – way more enjoyable in the early morning and late afternoon/evening.
The A/C actually works really, really well. Within a couple of minutes it’s very noticeable, and after 20 minutes I can make my hands on the wheel so cold I have to turn it down/off. I can’t notice a difference in gas consumption with it on or off.
I try not to use it though, because once I get acclimatized to it, I get super, super exhausted whenever I step out of the Jeep, which is no fun.
So I almost always drive with the window down so I’m in the environment more. As long as I’m moving, the breeze is great. Being stopped, or in traffic is where I really get hot.
-Dan
I keep checking your blog site regularly. Such a fascinating journey! Good luck and stay safe. Looking forward to your next post!
Hey Anthony,
Thanks for the support!
I’m posting a bit more regularly to Facebook and Instagram, just because it’s a lot more lightweight than a whole blog post.
Follow along there to get the most up-to-date stuff!
-Dan
Where you staying in a hotel or in your Jeep at Auberge Sahara?
Hi Mike,
I stayed in the Jeep at the two Auberge’s in town – it’s cheaper than getting a room.
-Dan
Hey there Dan.
Awesome what you are doing realy looking forward to your update all the time.
But i have a question, Your 6 month car inssurance for west Africa (Brown Card) that you bought in Nouakchott. Do you have more info for me.
* Company name
* Location on google maps or grid
* Prices
Be safe and keep us posted.
Frank
Hi Frank,
I’m sorry, I don’t have co-ordinates. I drove all over looking for it, then forgot to make a note of where I was.
Ask locals, ask insurance offices, ask, ask ask.
Prices vary a lot depending on the year of your car – I think I paid about 200 euros for the 6 months, my Jeep is 2011.
Good luck!
-Dan
-Dan