Opinions BAB SAHARA Atar

Habíamos contratado una habitación con aire acondicionado y no funcionaba el aire, tampoco funcionaba el ventilador que tenían. El agua caliente funciona mal, nos tuvimos que duchar con agua fría .Hay cortes de luz cada dos por tres. El wifi siempre está conectado y no funciona ni nadie se preocupa en mirar nada. De las 3 noches sólo pagamos una. Caro y sucio. No entiendo para que ofertan servicios que no tienen. No recomiendo este sitio

We stayed here for three nights 11/15-11/17. On arrival the place was fully booked, but they let us squeeze in anyway. We pulled in and parked and then quickly set up our tents. However, the electricity went out once, hot water only worked at random intervals, and the wifi was bad (it was on a Sim card and once the data was out, the manager didn't buy more for the campsite; 4Gigs split between 30 users is not much data).

Later when we tried to book a trip to Ouadane and Chenguetti, the manager of the campsite helped us, but they tried to charge us €100 per person. This was extortion and we said no. Then he dropped it down to €44 so obviously there was some fowl play here. Please don't pay more than 1750 MRU for a trip to both cities and don't pay extra for gas!

Finally, when we went to leave the campsite, the manager came up to our group and tried to extort more money out of us. He wanted to charge an extra €100 for each person on top of what we already paid for the campsite. This is when we realized that the argument between him and the drivers of our trip only happened because he tried to charge us above market value for that trip and keep the extra money for himself.

My advice is DO NOT COME HERE! There are other campsites in town with more honorable campsite managers. I get that life is hard here and everyone is out to make some quick cash over everything, but this camp manager Mohammed single handedly ruined the experience for us. You have to be patient in Africa, but you shouldn't have to worry about extortion at a Westernized campsite.

Hope this helps somebody. Also, be careful when you drive here. The local kids threw rocks at our vehicles and broke a friend's rear window out.

Side note:

Trip from Atar to Ouadane from Ouadane to Chenguetti, from Chenguetti to Atar should be 1750 MRU per person.

Entrance to Ouadane should be 200 MRU per person. And entrance to the Chenguetti library should be 100 MRU per person. Do not take guides if you don't speak French or Arabic. Everyone will expect a tip for their help. So be careful as no one here will offer free help or guidance for anything.

That's all. It's worth the visit to the area, but please be careful who you pay and how much.

Für mich die schönste Unterkunft auf unserer Mauretanien Reise.
Achtung, Personal spricht nur französisch.

We spent 3 nights at Bab Sahara. The Auberge is really nice and friendly. We had the ???? huts with A/C and private bathrooms. Perfect as a starting point for Chinguetti, Ouadane and Tergit Oasis.

Well managed property by a foreigner. We had a bad experience running around various hostels in town that seemed shady. We then walked the 10 minutes to get here. It is a secured campground with some overlanders staying. Rooms were basic. Outdoor shared showers. Food kitchen was prompt and decent. Good place for a quick rest before Chinguetti.

Oasis in the middle of the Sahara

This place is literaly an Oasis inside Mauritania. You feel time stops here. The atmosphere, the team, and the village made our stay unforgettable. Clean, organized, nicely decorated, nice accomodations, clean water to drink, western showers and toilets, etc. Btw the auberge is not even 10min walking from the center of Atar. We will come back 100%

Endroit stratégique pour tous les voyageurs partant à la découverte de la région d’Atar : nous avons fait de fantastiques rencontres, et glané plein de conseils ! L’équipe est super accueillante, de bon conseil, aux petits soins (j’ai eu un repas spécial végétarien). L’auberge est écolo, prend soin de ses animaux (chien, chat, poules, canards…), s’inscrit harmonieusement dans la vie locale d’Atar depuis des dizaines d’années. Nous avons séjourné dans une case, avec une moustiquaire, un ventilateur, et une très jolie (et spacieuse) salle de bains. Il y a de l’eau potable à disposition (!). Vous pouvez faire laver votre linge sur place. Il y a du wifi, qui fonctionne mieux si peu de personnes l’utilisent simultanément. Les prix sont plus élevés que ceux des autres auberges, mais selon nous, c’était justifié ! Nous recommandons Bab Sahara et espérons du fond du cœur y revenir un jour, c’était très dur de repartir !! Merci à Tish, Leonie, Just et Seydou.

Quite cramped and full of loud poultry for some reason. Internet is barely loading, and dropping out most of the time.

Dinner consisted of some undefined mystery fish with a lot of bones and suspicious green soggy plants. Rather than have a dinner for six (which we asked for) we got a dinner for four divided by six, with rather small portions for … quite the european prices.

Honestly, we stayed in far nicer places for a third of the cost and far superior services. You’re better off at the others nearby that we visited later, like Inimi. Or simply fill water at the Total station and go wild camping between the amazing rocks outside of Atar.

Helpfull staff, good food, nice and clean

Be aware, those are European prices, HOWEVER: you also get European competence and the possibility to meet interesting people.
Recommended: buying the map, iconic.

20% less expensive would have gotten 5 stars.

Be polite with the owners and they will treat you more than well.

Best lodge in Atar.

Just, Leonie and Tish were extremely kind hosts who provided us with everything we need. There are hot and spacious showers, nice toilets inc western ones, and a lovely seating area.

I recommend Bab Sahara 100 %. It is situated in a very calm and very safe area. It is a 10 minute walk from town with its market and restaurants (safe to walk even at night), small shops are just around the corner. It is beautifully decorated with attention to detail and lots of trees that provide much-needed shade. It is clean, there’s hot and cold water, soap and toilet paper are provided. And, most importantly, staff is as friendly and welcoming as you can imagine. Whatever you need, whatever you are looking for, they will help you. I have stayed for a while and they have become like a family to me. Thank you!