The Tallest Sand Dune at the Gateway to the Sahara: Where Nature Reigns Supreme

In most places, humans have dominated nature with cities and other built environments; but at Azugit, Mauritania's tallest sand dune, nature stands unchallenged and humbling Goliath.

📍 Azugit, Mauritania

Dust swirled around my ankles as I crested the final ridge, panting after a long climb to a literally breathtaking site.  Towering before me, like a golden titan sculpted by the wind, was Azugit, the tallest sand dune in Mauritania. I could not be any further from the concrete jungle of my hometown of New York City. I have spent most of my life in places where humans assert their dominance over nature. But here, five hours from the nearest paved road, nature reigns supreme. 

Azugit's golden infinity

In the Sahara, I experienced the irony of sensory overload in the middle of nowhere: chafing gusts of wind, the sun's searing kiss, and the occasional oasis offering sweet relief. It took me a lung-burning half hour to ascend Azugit's colossal mounds. These endless sand dunes may be the Sahara at its most quintessential, but the desert has more to offer. Beyond Azugit, rugged gravel plains, stark plateaus jutting towards the sky, and even the occasional volcano create a diverse topography. This landscape all receives less than 10 inches of rain a year (the geologist's definition of a "desert").

Azugit's magic lies in its ever-shifting nature. The dunes never look the exact same for more than a split second, as the unique dance of wind and sand can never be replicated. The constantly changing sands whisper lessons of letting go, while the dunes' sheer size reminds me of my humble place in the world. It's here, during sunset, that I entered a truly meditative state.

After summiting the dunes, I truly felt the immense size of the mighty Sahara, which dwarfs the continental United States in size and holds the honor of being the world's largest hot desert (third overall, if you're counting the frozen wastelands of the Arctic and Antarctica). Climate change, both natural and man-made, is fueling the expansion of the desert, swallowing ever scarce fertile land in its path. Scientists say the Sahara has grown by 10% in the last century, with Mauritania, already more than 90% desert, bearing the brunt of the expansion.

Speaking of Mauritania, it's one of the least-explored corners of the planet. Think eight times fewer people per square kilometer than the US on landmass double the size of France.  Mauritania also holds the unique distinction of being the world's largest country below 1,000 meters in elevation. And even within this vast emptiness, Azugit remains a remote gem – located a full day's drive (mostly on unmarked roads) from the capital. But that's part of the allure. With barely a soul around, the stargazing here is epic – with the Milky Way so bright that I never needed a flashlight to navigate the campsite.  

Between the infinities of the sand and the stars, Azugit whisked me away from the ordinary.  The dunes transported me to a place where I truly feel like a part of something bigger and incontestable: nature.   

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🕹️ Travel tip: The Azugit sand dune is located several hours off-road, amidst extensive sandy terrain that necessitates the use of a reliable 4x4 vehicle. Throughout the journey, you won't encounter any signage, and there are long stretches devoid of rest stops or gas stations. It is crucial not to embark on this trip without the guidance of an experienced driver who knows the route intimately. For a truly unforgettable experience in this rarely explored country, entrust Baba of T'Ore Mauritania. He will handle all aspects of your trip, including transportation, meals, comfortable tent-based accommodations, camping under the awe-inspiring night sky, and engaging discussions about the region.