A special tour led by volcano expert Luca Lupi, who, as well as introducing us to the caravan towns of Chinguetti and Ouadane and the stunning scenery of dunes and oases, will take us to geological sites of outstanding importance, such as the Beni Amera monolith, the Palaeolithic site of El Beyedh and the Richat Structure (Guelb er Richat, also known as ‘the Eye of the Sahara’).

Discovering Mauritania’s geology

Our planet never ceases to amaze us, offering an infinite variety of surface geological environments, some of which are truly out of the ordinary. The African continent is particularly rich in this respect, ranging from deserts to jungles, from savannahs to mountains over five thousand metres high. One of the African nations that surprises visitors with its geology and surface morphology, which can be observed during a journey, is undoubtedly Mauritania. An ancient land, it has much to offer the curious traveller with a passion for nature and geology. We will explore this fascinating natural kaleidoscope with Luca Lupi, an expert in African geology and history, who will guide us on our journey of discovery through Mauritania.

Moving inland from its ocean coastline, much of its territory lies within the Sahel and the Sahara, offering incredible geological spectacles that we will have the chance to observe during our journey. Travelling and camping in the dunes of the Adar region, meeting the nomads and gazing at the incredible starry skies are experiences that are hard to forget. In the far north of this region lies a geological site that is unique in its kind and has no equal on Earth – one of the main highlights of this journey. This is the Richat Structure, which rises from the sands of the Sahara, partially surrounded by a plateau of sedimentary rock. This circular feature – visible only from space – is formed by concentric rings of rock of various origins, both igneous and sedimentary. It has long been a geological enigma and, for decades, has baffled legions of scientists seeking to understand its formation.

Mauritania’s geology also offers many mineral resources that are intensively exploited, such as the Zouerat mines, where iron is extracted and transported to the coast via a railway line running through the desert on a train with an endless string of wagons. Close to the border with Western Sahara, we will reach a point along this mineral train’s route to also see another distinctive geological feature rising from the desert: the Ben Amerà monolith, considered the second largest in the world after Australia’s Ayers Rock and one of Africa’s most spectacular natural monuments.

Furthermore, Mauritania is not only a land of magnificent geological features but also boasts a fascinating human history: from Palaeolithic peoples who left clear traces such as the rock paintings at El-Gallaouiya and archaeological sites like El Beyedh, to contacts with ancient Rome, to the peoples of the Soninke Empire (which also included Ghana, Senegal and Mali) right through to the Berber and Arab peoples who gave rise to the nomadic Mauri people – from whom the nation takes its name – who gained independence from French colonial rule in 1960. During our explorations, we will make various stops in villages, giving us the chance to get to know the Mauri, a fascinating people who, together with the Tuareg and the Tebu, share the vast sea of sand that is the Sahara.

We shall also have the opportunity to visit ancient caravan towns such as the legendary Chinguetti, with its precious desert libraries and ancient stone mosque, and Ouadane, exploring its narrow alleyways and defensive walls. During these itineraries, we shall also stop at oases such as Terjit, where we can enjoy the crystal-clear waters that nourish lush palm groves.

A comprehensive journey to discover the geological features, the medieval history of the Sahara and the Mauritanian peoples.

Luca Lupi

A scholar and science communicator, he has travelled extensively and explored African regions in particular. Whilst studying geology at university, he organised scientific and natural history expeditions to a wide variety of volcanoes around the world. He has authored books on volcanoes and earthquakes that have been translated into four languages. He has delivered dozens of lectures and courses on his specialist subjects throughout Italy and abroad. Today he is regarded as the leading multidisciplinary expert on the Danakil Depression, a region straddling Ethiopia, Eritrea and Djibouti. He also specialises in historical-geographical research and edits the ‘Explora’ series, for which he has personally authored volumes on various Italian explorers. He has received numerous awards from the Italian Geographical Society in recognition of his contributions to the field.