last edited Dec 11, 2019
What to See in Mauritania
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Location Map of Mauritania
Mauritania
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UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Mauritania has two sites inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list:
- Ancient ksour of Ouadane, Chinguetti, Tichitt and Oualata (1996): these are the ksour ("fortified villages") of four cities that once served as stops for caravans crossing the Sahara.
Banc d'Arguin National Park (1989)
This is a vast terrestrial and marine park located at the gates of Nouadhibou. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site for its landscapes and the diversity of birds that live there.
This is a vast terrestrial and marine park located at the gates of Nouadhibou. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site for its landscapes and the diversity of birds that live there.
The Coast
Nouadhibou
A major fishing and industrial port north of the capital, close to the border with Western Sahara. It serves as a gateway to Banc d'Arguin National Park and is a great spot for sea fishing. Several shipwrecks can be seen in its bay.
A major fishing and industrial port north of the capital, close to the border with Western Sahara. It serves as a gateway to Banc d'Arguin National Park and is a great spot for sea fishing. Several shipwrecks can be seen in its bay.
Nouakchott
A relatively new and chaotically planned city, it is also the capital of Mauritania. For travellers, it is primarily a transit point or a base for exploring other parts of the country. Nouakchott has a few beaches nearby.
A relatively new and chaotically planned city, it is also the capital of Mauritania. For travellers, it is primarily a transit point or a base for exploring other parts of the country. Nouakchott has a few beaches nearby.
Rosso
This is the largest urban area in the south and the crossing point for traveling to Senegal via the river of the same name. The city can also serve as a base for exploring Diawling Park or even those located across the border.
This is the largest urban area in the south and the crossing point for traveling to Senegal via the river of the same name. The city can also serve as a base for exploring Diawling Park or even those located across the border.
Natural Heritage
Banc d'Arguin National Park
This is a vast terrestrial and marine park located at the gates of Nouadhibou. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site for its landscapes and the diversity of birds that live there.
This is a vast terrestrial and marine park located at the gates of Nouadhibou. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site for its landscapes and the diversity of birds that live there.
Diawling National Park
This transboundary park continues into Senegal as the Djoudj National Bird Park. Like it, it hosts countless migratory birds and many monkeys.
This transboundary park continues into Senegal as the Djoudj National Bird Park. Like it, it hosts countless migratory birds and many monkeys.
The Interior
Warning: The entire eastern part of the country, beyond the Chinguetti-Tidjikja axis, is currently strongly advised against for security reasons by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Atar
With its small international airport, it is the main city of the "Mauritanian Sahara" and a great base for exploring the surrounding desert.
With its small international airport, it is the main city of the "Mauritanian Sahara" and a great base for exploring the surrounding desert.
Boutilimit
The town on the southern route is appreciated for its crafts. It is also home to the remains of a French fort.
The town on the southern route is appreciated for its crafts. It is also home to the remains of a French fort.
Chinguetti
In the Adrar region, this oasis, once a major caravan hub, is famous for its stunning UNESCO-listed old town (ksour) and its rich library. You can also explore all kinds of desert hikes from the town.
In the Adrar region, this oasis, once a major caravan hub, is famous for its stunning UNESCO-listed old town (ksour) and its rich library. You can also explore all kinds of desert hikes from the town.
Choum
This large village, halfway between Zouerat and Nouadhibou, primarily serves as the departure and arrival point for the "Desert Train" passenger section.
This large village, halfway between Zouerat and Nouadhibou, primarily serves as the departure and arrival point for the "Desert Train" passenger section.
Koumbi Saleh
This is an archaeological site on the Senegalese border featuring the remains of what was once the capital of the Ghana Empire.
This is an archaeological site on the Senegalese border featuring the remains of what was once the capital of the Ghana Empire.
Oualata
A small town in the southeast, not far from Mali, with a ksour that is one of the country's four UNESCO-listed sites.
A small town in the southeast, not far from Mali, with a ksour that is one of the country's four UNESCO-listed sites.
Ouadane
It's a large town and former caravan city north of Chinguetti, whose ksour is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
It's a large town and former caravan city north of Chinguetti, whose ksour is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Tichitt
This partly abandoned village is home to a ksour classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site, alongside three others in the country.
This partly abandoned village is home to a ksour classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site, alongside three others in the country.
The Desert Train
Stretching 700 kilometres, the line connects the iron mines of Zouerat to the ore port of Nouadhibou. From the town of Choum onward, it also carries passengers.
Stretching 700 kilometres, the line connects the iron mines of Zouerat to the ore port of Nouadhibou. From the town of Choum onward, it also carries passengers.
Zouerat
In the north, near the border with Western Sahara, this mining town is the third-largest in the country. It’s the starting point for the world’s longest iron ore train, which runs to Nouadhibou on the coast. Some trains also have passenger cars.
In the north, near the border with Western Sahara, this mining town is the third-largest in the country. It’s the starting point for the world’s longest iron ore train, which runs to Nouadhibou on the coast. Some trains also have passenger cars.
Natural Heritage
Adrar
Adrar is a vast desert plateau occupying a large part of northern Mauritania. Depending on the current security situation, it is also a major Saharan tourism destination, with its oases, dunes, stunning landscapes, and especially the opportunities for camel treks and all kinds of desert hikes.
Adrar is a vast desert plateau occupying a large part of northern Mauritania. Depending on the current security situation, it is also a major Saharan tourism destination, with its oases, dunes, stunning landscapes, and especially the opportunities for camel treks and all kinds of desert hikes.
Ben Amira
Not far from the town of Atar, this is the third-largest monolith in the world. Others can be seen in the surrounding area.
Not far from the town of Atar, this is the third-largest monolith in the world. Others can be seen in the surrounding area.
Must-see & highly recommended
Adrar
★★★★ Adrar is a vast desert plateau occupying a large part of northern Mauritania. Depending on the current security situation, it is also a…
Banc d'Arguin National Park
★★★★ This is a vast terrestrial and marine park located at the gates of Nouadhibou. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site for its landscapes and…
Recommended
Chinguetti
★★★ In the Adrar region, this oasis, once a major caravan hub, is famous for its stunning UNESCO-listed old town (ksour) and its rich library…
Worth a look / Other
The Desert Train
★★ Stretching 700 kilometres, the line connects the iron mines of Zouerat to the ore port of Nouadhibou. From the town of Choum onward, it…
Ouadane
★★ It's a large town and former caravan city north of Chinguetti, whose ksour is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Oualata
★★ A small town in the southeast, not far from Mali, with a ksour that is one of the country's four UNESCO-listed sites.
Diawling National Park
★★ This transboundary park continues into Senegal as the Djoudj National Bird Park. Like it, it hosts countless migratory birds and many…
Tergit
★★ This small oasis near Atar is one of the best-known tourist spots in the Adrar region.
Aoudaghost
★ These are the archaeological remains of an ancient city in southern Mauritania.
Atar
★ With its small international airport, it is the main city of the "Mauritanian Sahara" and a great base for exploring the surrounding desert.
Ben Amira
★ Not far from the town of Atar, this is the third-largest monolith in the world. Others can be seen in the surrounding area.
Boutilimit
★ The town on the southern route is appreciated for its crafts. It is also home to the remains of a French fort.
Choum
★ This large village, halfway between Zouerat and Nouadhibou, primarily serves as the departure and arrival point for the "Desert Train"…
Koumbi Saleh
★ This is an archaeological site on the Senegalese border featuring the remains of what was once the capital of the Ghana Empire.
Nema
★ It's the largest town in southeastern Mauritania and a stop on the road to Mali.
Nouadhibou
★ A major fishing and industrial port north of the capital, close to the border with Western Sahara. It serves as a gateway to Banc d'Arguin…
Nouakchott
★ A relatively new and chaotically planned city, it is also the capital of Mauritania. For travellers, it is primarily a transit point or a…
Rosso
★ This is the largest urban area in the south and the crossing point for traveling to Senegal via the river of the same name. The city can…
Tichitt
★ This partly abandoned village is home to a ksour classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site, alongside three others in the country.
Tidjikja
★ An oasis with quite beautiful architecture and a large palm grove.
Zouerat
★ In the north, near the border with Western Sahara, this mining town is the third-largest in the country. It’s the starting point for…