Mauritania & Senegal West Africa's Jewels

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Travel through two of West Africa's jewels, Senegal and Mauritania, both of which offer a variety of exotic opportunities. From the wide- open savannas in the north, to the deep lush forests of the south and the golden sand beaches scattered along the turquoise waters of the Atlantic Ocean, Senegal has something to appeal to everyone. The country's cultural heritage is a unique blend of Muslim and Francophone influences. Just off the coast is the island of Goree Island with its roots deeply planted in the sad history of the slave trade. As for Mauritania, it boasts many wonders of nature as well as ancient cities. In the middle Ages, it was was the seat of the Almoravid movement that spread Islam throughout North Africa. Today the seventh holiest city of Islam, Chinguitty, is located in the north of the country. Also in the north is Ouad Esne, an oasis settlement concealed by waves of golden sand dunes. It is home to an ancient mosque that contains 3,000 manuscripts, justifying its UNESCO World Heritage Site status. The country's colorful, nomadic Moorish population can be found in old cities such as Tichitt. Touring the region offers a glimpse into a rich past that includes the Trans-Saharan trade route that moved goods via camel caravan between North Africa and sub-Saharan Africa. For more than 500 years the Almoravid Dynasty controlled the trade in gold, slaves and salt until their defeat by the Arabs in the late 1600's. Not long afterwards the arrival of the Europeans on the coast of Africa gradually diverted commerce to trading posts thus causing the decline and eventual ruin of these cities.