Mauritania, Chad see rise in Sahara tourism interest
New visa systems and expanding desert tours are drawing adventurous travelers to parts of the Sahel despite regional security concerns
N’DJAMENA, Chad (MNTV) — Chad and Mauritania are witnessing growing interest from international tourists as travel companies expand desert expeditions across parts of the Sahel and southern Sahara despite continuing regional instability and security concerns.
Adventure tourism operator Untamed Borders announced plans for a new 17-day expedition to Chad’s Ennedi Plateau beginning in February 2027, highlighting growing demand for travel to remote Saharan destinations known for dramatic desert landscapes, rock formations and UNESCO-listed heritage sites.
The company has also expanded tours in Mauritania and southern Libya while continuing trips across Algeria’s Sahara region.
Tourism operators say interest in the region has increased partly because of recent visa reforms introduced by Chad and Mauritania, both of which launched online visa systems aimed at encouraging more foreign visitors.
Mauritania has already attracted attention among adventure travelers for experiences such as riding the country’s famous Iron Ore Train through the desert, a route that became increasingly popular with international tourists in recent years.
Travel companies say Chad, Mauritania and parts of southern Libya offer relatively stable tourism corridors featuring desert scenery, ancient trade routes and historical sites despite broader insecurity affecting parts of the Sahel.
The Ennedi Plateau in northeastern Chad is known for sandstone formations, desert canyons, oases, and rare wildlife, including surviving populations of Saharan crocodiles.
Tourism advocates argue that expanding travel to such destinations can generate employment opportunities and support local economies in regions where economic prospects remain limited.
At the same time, analysts warn that security risks remain significant across parts of the Sahel, particularly in countries including Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, where armed conflict, smuggling networks and political instability continue to affect cross-border movement.
Large parts of the region have long been considered difficult destinations for tourism because of insecurity and trafficking routes stretching across the Sahara.
However, tourism operators say selected areas of the southern Sahara still offer pockets of relative stability for travelers seeking desert expeditions, cultural heritage and remote natural landscapes.
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