October 12, 2025: Leaving Nouadhibou
Today we’re leaving Nouadhibou on our way to Nouakchott, which is the capital of Mauritania. We couldn’t see too many communities in between the two cities, and true enough, there wasn’t that much. We’re looking at a distance of close to 500 km with a road that we didn’t really know, but it turned out to be partially a little rough, but mostly well paved. Driving at 70-80 kilometers per hour was generally safe.
Driving Along the Peninsula
The first part was driving along the peninsula—the same route we had driven before, but this time in daylight. It was amazing to see the desolate beauty of the Sahara Desert. Along the way, we got to see the iron ore train coming into Nouadhibou. We even spotted some people on top of the train, which was a nice photo opportunity.
Checkpoints and Changing Scenery
We were stopped many times, but it becomes routine, and each time you just hope for the best. The scenery was constantly changing. We were no longer close enough to the beach to see military stations every few kilometers, as had been the case in Western Sahara. This time, we traveled more inland. Supposedly, there’s a nature preserve that one is not allowed to enter at this time. The terrain varied a lot—mostly rocks, some loose sand—and you always have to stay cautious about driving conditions.
Encounters Along the Road
We passed a lot of personnel and small buses carrying goods in the opposite direction. Halfway along the journey, we came across a small town that seemed more permanent than others. Along the way, we also noticed small buildings where people had lived—or still lived. A long line of power-generating wind turbines was somewhat surprising, likely linked to local construction. We also saw nomads, an occasional camel, and goats wandering freely. Fascinating sights all around.
Arriving in Nouakchott
We finally made it to Nouakchott at a reasonable time, looking forward to a slightly more civilized setting. The city is better equipped than Nouadhibou, though not by a huge margin. We stayed in a surprisingly fancy hotel, which worked out well. Driving through town showed a modest step up from Nouadhibou. Overall, it was a long but memorable day. Thank you for being along for the journey—catch you tomorrow!
