Must See

Nouachott

Created in the 1960s, Mauritania's capital has grown to become the biggest city in the Sahara region. It is located on a site adjoining an old Moorish settlement, the Ksar, near the sea in a desert landscape of low dunes scattered with thorn bushes. Now a sprawling urban centre, its 1 million inhabitants comprise almost one-third of the entire population of Mauritania. Its modern buildings reflect the traditional Berber style of architecture, and there are also some rewarding local markets and an impressive stretch of beach on which to laze (Plage du Wharf). Other highlights include the Ksar and its market, the crafts centre, the camel market, the carpet factory and the Maison de la Culture.

Plage Des Pecheurs

This colourful and atmospheric port on Nouakchott's sandy shoreline bustles with mostly Senegalese fishermen, hauling in the day's catch. Head down at sunset as the boats come in.

The Sahara

Visitors may like to try crossing the vast arid expanses of dunes and desert aboard a hardy camel - a beast able to cope with the sweltering Saharan heat. It's a harsh, challenging terrain in which to travel, an unforgiving landscape dotted with oases and heat scorched market towns frequented by salt caravans and nomadic tradesmen.

Parc National Du Banc D'Arguin

Possibly Mauritania's best attraction, this World Heritage-listed national park is located on the Atlantic desert coast between Nouakchott and the northern frontier with Western Sahara. It is one of the world's largest bird sanctuaries, and its islets provide a shelter for over two million migratory birds, including herons, pelicans and flamingos. There are also several archaeological sites on the islands.

Adrar Region

The Adrar is a spectacular massif of brown and pink plateaux intersected by deep canyons sheltering palm groves and gilded with dunes. It lies in the north central part of the country, about 320km (200 miles) northeast of Nouakchott.

The capital of the region, Atâr, is an oasis lying on the route of salt caravans, and is the market centre for the nomads of northern Mauritania. It has an old quarter, the Ksar, with a fine palm grove and flat-roofed houses.

Visitors can take a full-day excursion from Atâr over the breathtaking mountain pass of Homogjar to Chinguetti, a holy city of Islam, founded in the 13th century, and now a World Heritage site. However, although Chinguetti has a library housing ancient manuscripts and a medieval mosque, much of the old town is disappearing under the encroaching drifts of sand.

The oasis of Azoughui was the Almoravid capital in the 11th and 12th centuries, and remains of fortified buildings from this period can still be seen.

It is important to note that travellers must check on conditions for travel before setting out for this region as government permission may be necessary.

Coastal Regions

Mauritania's coast is essentially an 800 km long sandy beach, devoid of vegetation but supporting an amazingly large and varied population of birds. The coastal waters are equally rich in fish. Nouâdhibou is a growing port and centre of the fishing industry, situated on a peninsula at the northern end of the Bay of Levrier. Although there are some remote and deserted beaches found near Nouâdhibou, travellers should beware of landmines in the area.

There are some good spots for swimming, surfing and fishing along the west coast. However, visitors should be aware that pickpocketing and other crime is reported to be rife on Mauritania's beaches.