Nouakchott: The Sea, The Sahara, and the Savannah
Nouakchott, Mauritania, which used to be a small fishing village, is now the capital city of the country and is also considered to be one of the largest cities of Sahel – a distinct geographic border between the Sahara and the Savannah. The population settlement in Nouakchott grew from 15,000 in the late 1950s to about a million in present time. The economy of the city has drastically improved and has become a major tourist and business destination in the African continent. Nouakchott-Oumtunsy International Airport (NKC) is about an hour away from the city center.
Best Time to Visit
It is dry all-year round in Nouakchott, MR with hot summers from September to November and windy winters from December to February. Other months of the year are relatively warm and cloudy and thus, would be the best time to visit as Nouakchott, Mauritania hotels are affordable too. Just like other African countries, Mauritania holds festivals of their own. The capital city has many cultural, music, and nomadic celebrations, whether big or small, held every year.
What to Do & Area Attractions
Majority of Nouakchott hotels and accommodations are conveniently located near the heart of the city. Among them are Hotel Tfeila, the Al Khaima City Center, and 4-star Azalai Marhaba Hotel. These are all four-star hotels who provide free airport shuttle transfers. Exploring the city, you will be able to find diverse things to do. Go swimming at Nouakchott Beach, where you can also try fishing is one of them. The National Museum of Mauritania is a place for those who are interested with African culture. Not to be missed as well is the Noukchott Silver Market where you can purchase dainty souvenirs to bring home. The University of Nouakchott is a nice place to roam.
