Things to Do in Mauritania in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
December Weather in Mauritania
Is December Right for You?
Advantages
- December sits right in the middle of Mauritania's tourism season, with daytime temperatures around 28-32°C (82-90°F) that actually feel comfortable for desert exploration - hot enough to appreciate the Sahara without the brutal 45°C (113°F) summer heat that makes midday travel genuinely dangerous
- This is when the Nouakchott-Nouadhibou Iron Ore Train is most bearable for the famous free ride atop the ore cars - nights drop to 16-18°C (61-64°F), which means you'll need layers but won't be fighting 35°C (95°F) overnight temperatures like you would in summer
- The Banc d'Arguin National Park reaches peak bird migration in December with over 2 million migratory birds from Europe - flamingos, pelicans, and terns are everywhere, and the cooler weather makes the boat tours and coastal walking actually enjoyable rather than an endurance test
- Visibility in the desert is exceptional with almost zero rainfall (typically 5mm/0.2 inches for the entire month) - you'll get those postcard-perfect dune shots at Chinguetti and the Adrar region without haze, and the clear nights make this the best month for star photography in one of the world's least light-polluted countries
Considerations
- December is peak European holiday season, which means flight prices from Paris and Madrid jump 40-60% compared to November, and the handful of decent guesthouses in Chinguetti and Ouadane book out 6-8 weeks ahead - Mauritania doesn't get crowded by normal tourism standards, but its limited infrastructure fills up fast
- The temperature swing between day and night is dramatic, often 15-18°C (27-32°F) difference, which catches people off guard - you'll be in shorts at 2pm and genuinely cold in a fleece jacket by 8pm, and most accommodations outside Nouakchott lack heating entirely
- Harmattan winds pick up in December, bringing Saharan dust that can reduce visibility and make respiratory conditions worse - you'll notice a hazy quality to the air some days, and anyone with asthma should bring extra medication since the fine dust gets everywhere despite the low humidity
Best Activities in December
Ancient Ksour Desert Circuit Tours
December is genuinely the only comfortable month to properly explore the medieval trading towns of Chinguetti, Ouadane, Tichitt, and Oualata without suffering. These UNESCO sites require several hours of walking through sandy streets and climbing stone structures, which is miserable in 40°C (104°F) heat but actually pleasant in December's 28-30°C (82-86°F) afternoons. The ancient libraries are open longer hours during tourism season, and local guides are readily available. Most tours involve 4WD desert crossings between towns, and December's firm sand conditions mean fewer vehicles getting stuck compared to the slightly damper November.
Banc d'Arguin Boat Expeditions
This is THE month for the Banc d'Arguin National Park, hands down. The park sits between Nouakchott and Nouadhibou, and December brings the peak of bird migration - you'll see literally millions of flamingos, pelicans, spoonbills, and terns that winter here from Europe. The Imraguen fishing villages still use traditional sailing boats, and December's moderate temperatures (22-26°C/72-79°F on the coast) make full-day boat trips comfortable. Water visibility is excellent, and if you're lucky, you might spot dolphins or monk seals. The park requires permits and registered guides, which actually protects the experience from mass tourism.
Iron Ore Train Overnight Journey
The Nouadhibou to Zouérat iron ore train is Mauritania's most famous travel experience, and December offers the goldilocks conditions for riding atop the ore cars - not the scorching heat of summer, not the occasional rain of November. The 700 km (435 mile) journey takes 16-20 hours, and while there's technically a passenger car, the real experience is riding the open ore wagons under the stars. December nights drop to 14-18°C (57-64°F), which sounds cold but is actually manageable with proper gear, and you'll see the Sahara stars like nowhere else. The train is free but unpredictable - it runs on mining schedules, not tourist convenience.
Sahara Dune Camping Expeditions
The Erg Amatlich and Erg Ouarane dune fields near Chinguetti are spectacular in December when daytime heat is tolerable and nights are cool enough for comfortable sleeping. These aren't the massive Erg Chebbi-style dunes of Morocco, but they're empty and authentic, with excellent opportunities for sunrise and sunset photography. December's low humidity means crystal-clear air for star photography, and the temperature drop at night (down to 12-16°C/54-61°F) actually makes campfires pleasant rather than unnecessary. Most camps are very basic - mattresses on sand, traditional tents, and tagine cooked over fire.
Nouakchott Fish Market and Coastal Culture Tours
December is perfect for exploring Nouakchott's chaotic fishing port without the oppressive heat. The beach fish market operates daily with hundreds of colorful pirogues bringing in catches, and December's cooler mornings (18-22°C/64-72°F) make the 6-8am market hours much more bearable. You'll see traditional boat building, fish smoking operations, and the wholesale auction system. The nearby Port de Pêche area has basic restaurants serving incredibly fresh fish grilled on the beach. This is also when you can comfortably walk the 5 km (3.1 mile) coastal stretch to see how Nouakchott's fishing communities actually operate beyond the tourist version.
Diawling National Park Wetland Safaris
While everyone focuses on Banc d'Arguin, Diawling National Park near the Senegal River border offers December bird watching without the logistical complexity. The park's wetlands and acacia forests attract different species - warthogs, jackals, gazelles, and massive flocks of waterfowl. December is after the brief rainy season, so water levels are good and animals concentrate around remaining pools. Day trips from Nouakchott are possible but rushed - overnight stays in the basic park accommodation let you do dawn and dusk game drives when wildlife is most active and temperatures are coolest (16-24°C/61-75°F).
December Events & Festivals
Cities Caravans Festival in Chinguetti
This cultural festival celebrating Mauritania's caravan trading heritage typically happens in mid-to-late December in Chinguetti, though exact dates shift year to year. You'll see traditional music performances, camel parades, demonstrations of ancient manuscript preservation, and exhibitions of traditional crafts. It's genuinely aimed at cultural preservation rather than tourism, which means it feels authentic but also means limited English information and basic facilities. The festival draws Mauritanians from across the country, so accommodation in Chinguetti becomes impossible without advance booking.