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Parc National du Banc d'Arguin
This World Heritage–listed park is an important stopover and breeding ground for multitudes of birds migrating between Europe and southern Africa, and as…
Getty Images/Flickr RF
Mauritania
The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office advise against all travel to much of Mauritania, and against all but essential travel to the remainder of the country. Click here for more information.
Driving through the vast, sun-bleached landscape of Mauritania, you'd be forgiven for expecting to see a tricked-out post-apocalyptic hot rod from Mad Max on the horizon. Instead, a solitary, turbaned figure tending a herd of goats tells the story of survival amid millennial-old geological forces. Mauritania, with one of the world's lowest population densities, is almost equally divided between Moors of Arab-Berber descent and Black Africans, a striking cultural combination that is part of its appeal.
There's no doubt that Mauritania has some of the continent's grandest scenery. The Saharan Adrar region, with its World Heritage–listed caravan towns, is currently off-limits for security reasons, but the desert is a constant presence elsewhere, pushing hard up against the Atlantic Coast. Millions of migratory birds winter along the coast at Parc National du Banc d'Arguin, and the expanding capital Nouakchott is where modernity takes root in the desert.
Explore Mauritania
- PParc National du Banc d'Arguin
This World Heritage–listed park is an important stopover and breeding ground for multitudes of birds migrating between Europe and southern Africa, and as…
- PPort de Pêche
The Port de Pêche is Nouakchott's star attraction. Lively and colourful, you'll see hundreds of teams of mostly Wolof and Fula men dragging in heavy…
- PParc National Diawling
This little-known national park is a sister to the adjacent Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary in Senegal. It has important mangroves and acacia forest (any…
- RRéserve Satellite du Cap Blanc
A small nature reserve with an excellent information centre, dedicated to the colony of endangered Mediterranean monk seals (phoque moin) that live here…
- GGrande Mosquée
Its slender minarets and sandy courtyards, where worshippers perform their ceremonial ablutions, makes the Grande Mosquée a notable landmark in the city…
- MMusée National
Moderately worthwhile for anyone with an interest in Moorish culture. On the first level is a prehistoric gallery with archaeological exhibits while the…
- MMosquée Marocaine
The large Mosquée Marocaine is a precious landmark in this bustling area. Located south of Ave Abdel Nasser, towards the Cinquième Quartier.
- FFriday Mosque
Notable for its blindingly white facade. Visitors aren't permitted inside during prayer times.
Top attractions
These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Mauritania.
See
Parc National du Banc d'Arguin
This World Heritage–listed park is an important stopover and breeding ground for multitudes of birds migrating between Europe and southern Africa, and as…
See
Port de Pêche
The Port de Pêche is Nouakchott's star attraction. Lively and colourful, you'll see hundreds of teams of mostly Wolof and Fula men dragging in heavy…
See
Parc National Diawling
This little-known national park is a sister to the adjacent Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary in Senegal. It has important mangroves and acacia forest (any…
See
Réserve Satellite du Cap Blanc
A small nature reserve with an excellent information centre, dedicated to the colony of endangered Mediterranean monk seals (phoque moin) that live here…
See
Grande Mosquée
Its slender minarets and sandy courtyards, where worshippers perform their ceremonial ablutions, makes the Grande Mosquée a notable landmark in the city…
See
Musée National
Moderately worthwhile for anyone with an interest in Moorish culture. On the first level is a prehistoric gallery with archaeological exhibits while the…
See
Mosquée Marocaine
The large Mosquée Marocaine is a precious landmark in this bustling area. Located south of Ave Abdel Nasser, towards the Cinquième Quartier.
See
Friday Mosque
Notable for its blindingly white facade. Visitors aren't permitted inside during prayer times.
Guidebooks
Learn more about Mauritania
Ready to go? Get to the heart of Mauritania with one of Lonely Planet's in-depth, award-winning guidebooks.
