Tips on Mauritania
 

I will be in Mauritania here in about 3 weeks, riding up from Diama and exiting to WS.

Does anyone have recommendations on auberges along the main north/south highway?

My friend is completely uninterested in exploring the rest of the country, I would like to go up to the NE and visit the oasis and mining sites. However I still need to exit via WS. Is it possible to load a motorcycle on the train and travel to Nouadhibou from Zouerat? I don't really feel comfortable traveling on pistes along the train alone in case something goes wrong mechanically/get stuck etc. I understand the weather has cooled off a bit since July, but would this even be reasonable?

Thanks

Along the Iron Ore track is amazing and also quite challenging. You probably need two wild camps along the way. Take plenty of water and fuel. I wouldn't do it alone though. On the other hand, the train crosses twice a day, so if you stay close to the track you might be able to catch their attention in case of emergency. Needless to say, there is no mobile phone coverage for hundreds of KM.

Further Mauritania doesn't have much to offer, although I didn't visit the National Parc Banc D'Arguin at the time. I don't think there are many birds this time of year as the migration season didn't start yet

Mauretania used to be a place you traversed, with some difficulty, on your way to "Africa".

Now it is becoming more of a destination. Especially if you wish to experience the real Sahara, which you really can't in Morocco or WS, and is difficult in other parts.
Tous nos voyages pour la Mauritanie
Besides Zouerat and the mines
there are the oasises of Chinguetti, Tidjidja, Tidjit and Oualata with a rich history.
There is the rain cave in Terjit.
There are the crocodiles in the gueltas.
There is the Banc d'Argain where the desert meets the sea, incredibly rich in fish and birds.
There is the drive along the Atlantic on the beach Nouakchott to Nouamghar and the entrance to the park. Or all the way to Iwik and Arkeiss, if you are capable of crossing the high dunes. Visit the slightly mysterious fishing Imraguen.
There is the culture, the music, the people. Really there is no other country quite like Mauretania.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/im...=w1600-h691-no
Arkeiss

@Stoep - @priffe directed you to right places. Main route Choum - Zouerat might be too challenging. It looks like this

http://shrani.si/f/x/Qy/ebSP03W/618c0546.jpg

That looks pretty much like Choum to anywhere :rofl:

Stoep, I'd be interested in how you get on leaving Senegal to enter Mauritania via Diama. I hope to use Diama to come north later in October.

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Maurice Freund from Point Afrique also seems postitive about Mauritania. Flights resume to Atar for this winter.

Translated
Original

Mauritania is the only country [in Sahara-Sahel] which in recent years has carried out a genuine policy to restore its territorial security and to fight against jihadism

unlike other places...
... other countries have leaders who favour prevarication and discreetly protect drug traffickers, the routing of migrants (in atrocious conditions), and other crapulous activities. Opaque and hypocritical alliances are perfectly organised and many have a substantial profit...

It would be fair if Mauretania was rewarded for their approach to law and order and general safety by an increasing number of visitors.
It would make a huge difference for the people living in the region.

Mauretania Adrar region 56 minutes, French https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_c...&v=57gqAROCO40

I didn't know there is a monolith that is actually the second or third in the world, Uluru in Australia being the largest. About 60 kms west of Choum on the piste to Noadibou. Should've been a sacred place for the maures.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Amera
"Mauretania's best kept secret". http://cdn.touropia.com/gfx/d/larges...f065d32f216d48

Thanks for all this valuable information. I'm planning to drive down there for a few weeks this Christmas. Really looking forward to the NDB to Choum piste and photographing the milky way

Hi there ,
i am crossing the border to Mauritania from WS about the 12/13 february.
i would like to take the piste along the Irin Ore track but i don`t feel comfortable to do this alone in case something goes wrong.Is there somebody downthere at this time i may can take the trip together with ?
I am male , 54 years , Toyota Landcruiser HJ 75
kind regards from Denmark
CH

There is some traffic and if you don't stray far from the rail road you can always get help.

Just lower your tires to 1,5 and you will be good to go through the sandy stretches, in a HJ75

Looks like it paid off this winter: our tour on French TV:
https://www.francetvinfo.fr/economie...s_2682378.html

Plane was packed out and all concerned welcome the revival and hope it will last.

More images and impressions here.

Another similar upbeat report on France24:
Vidéo : en Mauritanie, le tourisme à l’épreuve du terrorisme - France 24