Mauritania's attractions include desert oases, beaches, nomadic people and four-wheel-drive treks in the Sahara, but the desolation and constantly encroaching sands make other desert countries more appealing.
Every year, sand dunes cover more and more of Mauritania, and even those interested in desert culture tend to travel to other countries. The country's capital, Nouakchott, which was far from the Sahara when it was founded in the 1960s, is now surrounded by sand. There are a few spots for fishing and bird-watching along the coast but not enough to draw visitors.
To request access to the full version of this destination guide, please provide your email address below. Your email address will only be used for verification purposes and will not be used for marketing purposes.