Parc National du Banc d'Arguin is listed as an UNESCO Natural World Heritage site and is situated some 235 km south of Nouadhibou. Although the parc is situated in the desert range, the shallow waters of the ocean and the great amount of fish create an ideal place for birds. The parc plays in an important role for the migrating birds which escape from Europe in the winter. Other birds have found there home here and the isolated situation in the Sahara desert makes it also a great breeding place, without disturbance from humans.

View of the wetlands of the parc.

Being at the coastal region of the Sahara, the parc consists of sand dunes and more close to the sea there are swamps and shallow waters. A few islands in the ocean are also part of the parc of which the Tidra island is the biggest.

It is neccesary to buy entrance tickets for the parc either at the parc headquarters in Nouadhibou or in Nouackchott. When staying on a camping or hotel, inform where to get the tickets and the people will be happy to help you. Comming from Nouackchott the entrance is at Nouâmghâr. At the police post just outside Nouadhibou they will ask for the ticket. Although you can buy the ticket when you are at the parc entrance at Ten Alloul, the police are likely to ask for a gift or a bribe to let you pass through.

To get to the parc you can either go with your own vehicle or go with an organised tour. From Nouadhibou and Nouackchott there are a few travel agencies which are very willing to show you around. If you would like to go with your own car, the route from Nouadhibou exists of a beautifull trip through part of the desert, which also means a 4 wheel drive vehicle is advisable. There are people who are doing the trip from Nouadhibou to Nouackchott with a normal 2 wheel drive vehicle, but most of them drive this route only to sell there car afterwards and therefor do not plan on leaving the known tracks.

People with larger vehicles have to keep in mind that there are special routes for these vehicles and it is not allowed to drive the normal car track. Ask for more information before you enter the parc. If you do drive the normal track, expect to pay extra when arriving at the parc exit.

Parc National du Banc D'arguin is marked as an UNESCO World Heritage site

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Unesco World Heritage Protecting natural and cultural properties of outstanding universal value against the threat of damage in a rapidly developing world