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🌎  Mauritania 🇲🇷

⭐  

4.6
(27)

📍  Ben Amera

✈️  Nouakchott–Oumtounsy International Airport (NKC)

🚗  555.4 KM

⏱️  8 hours, 4 minutes

Ben Amera, located near Choûm in Mauritania's Adrar region, is one of Africa's largest monoliths, and a hidden gem for adventurous travelers seeking an off-the-beaten-path experience. Accessible mainly by a 4x4 vehicle or via the iron ore train from Nouadhibou, which stops in Choûm, visiting Ben Amera is best approached through organized tours due to the challenging terrain and lack of infrastructure. As independent travel can be logistically difficult, a guided tour ensures both safety and insight into the area’s history and geology. The site can be visited year-round, though cooler months from November to February are more comfortable due to the intense desert heat. Typically, a visit requires a full day, including travel time. Costs can vary greatly depending on your starting point and the tour package, but expect to budget around $150-$300 per person. As a remote and undeveloped site, visitors should bring ample water and supplies, and be prepared for a rustic, yet awe-inspiring experience among the Sahara’s natural wonders.