Rachid

Nouakchott \| Route de l'espoir \| Nouadhibou \| Banc d'Arguin \| Oualata \| Ouadane \| Chinguetti \| Chinguetti-Tidjikja \| Moudjeria \| Rachid \| Tidjikja \| Taoujafet
Rachid is the first settlement of any size you reach after the four day (400km) desert crossing from Chinguetti. Of course, the first thing you need to do is to visit the gendarmerie to let them know you have arrived safely...although they would hardly care if you did not! It was reassuringly civilised to find a shop selling cold drinks and food, although still no diesel until Tidjikja, another 30km or so. Rather similar to Ouadane, with ruined abandoned old town on opposite side of wadi from new town. Only apparent difference is that Rachid is not UNESCO listed and is even more ruined; not even a minaret still standing. Still, beautiful views from the summit of the ruins across the wadi and the encroaching sand dunes. Return to Sahara Itinerary 2008►