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Travelling to Mauretanien: what to know before you go

Mauritania sits on the Atlantic coast of north-west Africa, where the Sahara meets the ocean, and most of the country is desert. Ancient caravan towns, towering dunes, a vast bird-filled coastal park and the iron ore train across the desert draw a small number of adventurous travellers. Tourism infrastructure is limited, and you should check your government's current travel advice before travelling.

Where to go

• 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.
• 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.
• Banc d'Arguin National Park. A UNESCO-listed park along the coast between Nouakchott and Nouadhibou, where desert dunes meet shallow waters and islands.
• 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.

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.

Staying online in Mauretanien

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.