Mauritania travel guide

Home to more than 200 species of birds, including pelican and thousands of flamingos, the Parc National du Banc d’Arguin can be enjoyed by both ornithologists and laypersons alike. Adventurous souls will appreciate the fact that the park is accessible by 4WD only and the many dunes that dominate the park's interior offer an excellent opportunity to test one's skills in the soft sand. At places, these dunes of the Sahara rolls directly out into the Atlantic Ocean at high tides. A majestic symbol of the meeting between two of nature's great forces. Nature buffs will also enjoy the superb camping possibilities at Cape Tafarit and Cape Tagabit. Good maps, with GPS-locations, are available at the park offices at both Nouakchott and Nouadhibou and essential for anyone, wishing to drive into the park without a guide – which can also be arranged at the offices.

Do you have an unused ship and would you like to cash out on the insurance premium? Then you would not be the first to dump it along the Cap Blanc Peninsula south of Nouadhibou claiming that it have sunk. The biggest ship at the tip of the Peninsula have finally been moved and the beach is cleaned, but plenty of wrecks are still left. The largest concentration is found just south of the shipping port, between Nouadhibou and its satellite town of Cansado. A dozen wrecks line the coast here within a few hundred metres of dirty beach, just below the ruins of an old French gun position that protected the bay against the Spanish colony of Western Sahara. Authorities might question why you would show the rest of the world this grim reality of their country, but most likely, you will be able to visit uninterrupted.

Nowhere is quite like Terjit. At least not the oases we have visited. Set in the shade of date palms and a large red cliff, Terjit is a good ten degrees cooler than the surrounding oven of a desert plateau. Add to this two springs running from the cliff – one hot and one cold – coming together in a small pool perfect for a dip before continuing to wind their way through the palm grove in small streams. Just 25 km south of Atar, Terjit is a perfect mid-day break for any journey to or from Nouakchott, or as a place to regroup and gather strength after a desert trek. Locals have not passed up the chance to set up tents, a restaurant and a simple auberge here, so your needs will be catered for.