Things to Do in Mauritania in April
April weather, activities, events & insider tips
April Weather in Mauritania
Is April Right for You?
Advantages
- Peak desert clarity - April sits right before the brutal summer heat arrives in May, giving you crystalline visibility across the Sahara. The dunes around Chinguetti and Ouadane are at their most photogenic, with that perfect golden-hour light lasting nearly two hours before sunset.
- Migratory bird activity at Banc d'Arguin National Park peaks in April as millions of birds stage here before heading to European breeding grounds. You'll see greater flamingos, broad-billed sandpipers, and curlew sandpipers in numbers that genuinely boggle the mind - we're talking flocks that darken sections of sky.
- The iron ore train from Nouadhibou to Zouérat runs more reliably in April than summer months when track expansion from heat causes delays. Temperatures in the open wagons are manageable at night (around 18-20°C or 64-68°F), making this bucket-list journey actually doable rather than dangerous.
- Fishing season along the Atlantic coast is excellent - the cold Canary Current brings nutrient-rich waters close to shore, and you'll find the freshest seafood of the year in Nouakchott and Nouadhibou markets. Local restaurants get daily catches of thiof, grouper, and octopus at prices that'll make you wonder why you ever paid restaurant prices back home.
Considerations
- Sandstorms become increasingly common as April progresses, particularly in the second half of the month. These aren't romantic movie sandstorms - they're gritty, equipment-damaging events that can shut down roads for 6-12 hours and make photography impossible. You'll taste sand in your food for days afterward.
- Daytime heat is already aggressive, with temperatures regularly hitting 38°C (100°F) by early afternoon. The Saharan sun at UV index 11 is no joke - you can get second-degree burns in under 30 minutes without protection. Most locals simply stop outdoor activity between 11am and 4pm, and you should too.
- Tourist infrastructure remains minimal even by West African standards, and April sees almost no other visitors. While this means authentic experiences, it also means you're often figuring things out yourself - GPS doesn't work reliably, ATMs run out of cash, and that guesthouse you read about online might have closed six months ago with no one updating the listing.
Best Activities in April
Banc d'Arguin National Park bird watching expeditions
April is legitimately the best month of the entire year for this UNESCO World Heritage site. The park hosts over 2 million migratory shorebirds preparing for their journey north to Europe, and the combination of low tides and pre-migration feeding frenzy creates wildlife spectacles you won't see anywhere else in Africa. The heat hasn't yet driven birds to early morning feeding only, so you can actually observe throughout the day. Water temperatures around 18-20°C (64-68°F) mean wading birds are active and feeding constantly. The lack of rain means the tracks into the park are passable with 4x4 vehicles, unlike the muddy mess you'd encounter in winter months.
Ancient caravan city exploration in Chinguetti and Ouadane
These UNESCO-listed medieval trading posts are accessible and comfortable to explore in April before May's furnace-like conditions arrive. Morning temperatures around 25-28°C (77-82°F) make wandering the ancient libraries and stone alleyways actually pleasant. The manuscript collections in Chinguetti's family libraries are best viewed in April's lower humidity - these centuries-old Quranic texts and scientific documents are incredibly fragile. You'll have these sites almost entirely to yourself, which adds to the time-capsule feeling. The surrounding dune fields are stable and navigable, perfect for sunset camel treks that don't leave you heat-exhausted.
Iron ore train journey from Nouadhibou to Zouérat
This 700 km (435 mile) journey through absolute nothingness is one of the world's most unique rail experiences, and April offers the goldilocks conditions for attempting it. Night temperatures in the open ore wagons hover around 18-22°C (64-72°F) - cold enough that you'll want a sleeping bag, but not the bone-chilling cold of January. The train runs more punctually in April than summer months when extreme heat causes track problems. You'll spend 12-16 hours riding atop iron ore or in basic passenger cars, watching the Sahara unfold in every direction. The experience is genuinely uncomfortable but unforgettable - bring dust protection for everything you own.
Coastal fishing village cultural immersion near Nouakchott
The Imraguen fishing communities along the coast practice traditional fishing methods that haven't changed in centuries, and April coincides with peak fishing season when the cold Canary Current brings massive fish populations close to shore. You'll witness cooperative fishing where dolphins and fishermen work together - not a tourist show but actual subsistence fishing that feeds these communities. The beaches are stunning and empty, water temperature around 19-21°C (66-70°F) makes it swimmable if you're hardy, and the seafood served in village homes is as fresh as it gets. April's moderate temperatures make overnight stays in basic guesthouses comfortable without air conditioning.
Saharan dune camping expeditions in the Adrar region
April offers the last comfortable window for multi-day desert camping before summer heat makes it genuinely dangerous. Night temperatures drop to 15-20°C (59-68°F), perfect for sleeping under stars that appear in densities you've likely never experienced. The sand is stable and cool enough for barefoot walking in early morning and evening. Dunes around Terjit oasis and the Amogjar Pass are at their most defined after winter winds have shaped them. You'll need to embrace the rustic nature of these camps - we're talking foam mattresses on sand, bucket showers if you're lucky, and meals cooked over open fires. The silence is profound and slightly unsettling if you're used to urban background noise.
Traditional Moorish tea ceremony experiences and craft workshops
April's heat drives more social activity indoors during midday hours, which actually increases your opportunities for authentic cultural exchanges. The elaborate Moorish tea ceremony becomes a several-hour social event during the hottest part of the day, and families are generally welcoming to respectful visitors who show genuine interest. You'll learn why they brew three rounds with different sweetness levels and what the rituals mean. Craft workshops in Nouakchott and Atar teach traditional leather working, silver jewelry making, and carpet weaving - skills passed down through generations. The slower pace of April compared to tourist-heavy months means artisans have more time for teaching rather than just selling.
April Events & Festivals
Pre-Ramadan preparations and markets
While Ramadan dates shift each year based on the lunar calendar, April 2026 falls just before Ramadan begins (expected late March/early April 2026). This means you'll witness the massive preparation period when markets explode with activity, special foods appear, and there's a palpable energy in cities. Markets in Nouakchott like the Marché Capitale become incredibly vibrant with dates, dried fruits, special pastries, and household goods. It's actually a fascinating time to visit as you'll see Mauritanian culture in high gear, though be prepared for some businesses to have irregular hours as people prepare.