Highlights
Chinguetti
A historic caravan town on the Adrar plateau, founded as a stop on trans-Saharan trade routes and long a centre of Islamic learning. Its stone mosque and family libraries of old manuscripts are part of a UNESCO World Heritage listing shared with three other ancient towns.
Ouadane
Further east on the Adrar, Ouadane's old town of dry-stone houses climbs a hillside above a palm grove, much of it now in ruins. It is one of the ancient ksour on the UNESCO list alongside Chinguetti, Tichitt and Oualata.
Banc d'Arguin National Park
A UNESCO-listed park along the coast between Nouakchott and Nouadhibou, where desert dunes meet shallow waters and islands. Huge numbers of migratory birds winter here, and Imraguen fishermen still use traditional sailing boats.
The iron ore train
One of the longest and heaviest trains in the world runs for about 700 kilometres between the mines at Zouérat and the port of Nouadhibou. Some travellers ride in its passenger carriage or, in a long tradition among locals, on top of the ore wagons, an experience that is dusty, cold at night and physically demanding.
Richat Structure
Known as the Eye of the Sahara, a set of concentric rock rings around 40 kilometres across near Ouadane, so large it is best appreciated from the air. Geologists believe it is an eroded dome rather than an impact crater.
Terjit oasis
A narrow, palm-shaded gorge south of Atar where warm and cool springs feed small pools. It is a popular stop for travellers crossing the Adrar and a relief from the desert heat.
Nouakchott fish market
On the beach in the capital, hundreds of brightly painted wooden pirogues land their catch in the late afternoon, and the scene of boats, nets and traders is the liveliest place in the city.
Ben Amera
A huge granite monolith rising from the desert near the railway line, often counted among the largest monoliths in the world. Nearby, a collection of sculptures was carved into the rocks by international artists.
Interesting facts about Mauritania
- The ouguiya is one of only two currencies in the world, alongside Madagascar's ariary, whose subunit is not divided by ten or a hundred: one ouguiya is made up of five khoums.
- Nouakchott was a small village until it was chosen as the capital around the time of independence in 1960; it is now home to a large share of the country's population.
- The Richat Structure is so distinctive that astronauts have long used it as a landmark when looking down on the Sahara.
- Iron ore trains between Zouérat and Nouadhibou can stretch for more than two kilometres.
- Most of Mauritania lies within the Sahara, and the country has seen its desert expand over recent decades.
Best time to visit
The cooler months from about November to March are the best time to visit, with warm days and cold nights in the desert. This is also when birds gather at Banc d'Arguin. From April to October temperatures inland become extremely high, often far above what is comfortable for travel, and sandstorms are more frequent. Light rains fall in the south between July and September. The coast is cooler and more humid than the interior throughout the year.
Practical information
| Capital | Nouakchott |
|---|---|
| Currency | Mauritanian ouguiya (MRU) |
| Languages | Arabic |
| Plugs | Type C, E |
| Voltage | 220 V, 50 Hz |
| Emergency | 17 police, 18 fire; for medical help contact your accommodation or a private clinic |
| Driving | On the right |
| Tipping | Not obligatory. Guides, drivers and camp staff on desert trips usually receive a tip at the end. |
Getting around
Distances are vast and public transport is limited. Shared taxis and bush taxis connect Nouakchott with Nouadhibou, Atar and other towns along paved roads, and expect police checkpoints where you will be asked for your passport details, so carry copies. For the Adrar and the desert, most visitors travel with a local guide and 4x4 driver, which is the safest and most practical option. Domestic flights serve a few towns. Check your government's current travel advice before planning routes, as recommendations for some regions differ.
Staying connected in Mauritania
Mobile coverage is available in Nouakchott, Nouadhibou, Atar and other towns, and along parts of the main roads, with 4G in the larger cities. In the desert, on the Adrar plateau between towns, along the railway and at Banc d'Arguin, coverage is patchy or completely absent for long stretches. Wi-Fi exists in some hotels in the main cities but can be slow. Download offline maps before leaving town and let someone know your route. Install an eSIM before you fly and switch it on when you land.
See Mauritania eSIM plans · How to install an eSIM
Useful apps for Mauritania
- Maps.me: Offline maps that include desert tracks and small settlements, useful where there is no signal.
- Google Maps: Save offline maps of Nouakchott and Nouadhibou before you travel.
- Google Translate: Arabic and French translation, downloadable for offline use in the desert.