A Ride to Nouadhibou. Sandstorms, Scams & Survival 🇲🇷

Crossing into Mauritania immediately changed the character of the journey. The familiar roads and infrastructure of Morocco were behind me, replaced by open desert, military checkpoints and long stretches where even a small problem could become serious. My first major destination was Nouadhibou, but reaching it meant dealing with the confusion of the border, unfamiliar procedures and people trying to make money from travellers who did not yet understand how things worked.

Once on the road, the desert quickly showed how unforgiving it could be. Strong winds pushed sand across the tarmac, visibility changed constantly and the motorcycle was exposed to the full force of the weather. The landscape was vast and almost completely empty, with little shelter and few places to stop. It was one of those rides where progress depended less on speed and more on staying focused, conserving energy and respecting the conditions.

Arriving in Nouadhibou brought relief, but also a clear sense that the journey had entered a more demanding phase. Mauritania felt raw, unpredictable and far removed from anything I had experienced further north. Between the sandstorms, attempted scams and harsh desert environment, this was no longer simply a scenic motorcycle trip. It was the beginning of a section where preparation, judgement and self-reliance would matter every day.

I’ll be documenting this adventure along the way — the good, the bad, and everything in between. If you want to ride with me through Africa’s deserts, mountains, chaos, and calm, you can follow the journey on Instagram, and TikTok. I’ll be sharing stories from the road, raw moments, and the reality behind chasing freedom on two wheels.

So, come along for the ride — the long way through Africa.

Peace!