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Mauritania is situated to the south of Moroccan administered Western Sahara (head here to find out why I phrased that like I did). It lies north of Senegal on the Atlantic Ocean, and Mali in the interior. As a result, Mauritania is sometimes unfairly thought of as a country to transit through to get elsewhere. It can be seen as the African equivalent of a flyover state in the US. However, you don’t have to stand on its streets for long to realise it’s as intriguing as any other destination on the continent. Which immediately should lead to the question, what’s the best time to visit Mauritania? In other words, can I visit Mauritania now?
What is Mauritania like?
Roughly 75% of Mauritania’s 400,000 square miles (or one million square kilometres) can be broadly defined as desert. That doesn’t necessarily mean sweeping sand dunes, but areas which receive little or no annual rainfall.
It’s the country’s coastal stretch which is greenest. However, even this narrow zone couldn’t be called verdant anywhere but along the Senegal River on the country’s southern border.
Even travelling from north to south by way of the capital, Nouakchott, you won’t see much more than flat largely barren landscapes.
These switch between uninspiring areas of loose surface stones and beautiful wind-formed sands which regularly wash over the road surfaces.
Although fodder must be hard to come by, Mauritania is still a viable habitat for semi-feral camel herds and much daintier but clearly hardy desert dwelling gazelles.
So, Mauritania’s weather is good all year round, right?
What is the climate of Mauritania like?
Not quite.
The beginning of November to the end of May sees almost no rainfall in Mauritania. Very little is recorded in October or June either, with these months seeing no more than 5 mm in an average year.
Mauritania’s rainfall therefore falls in a relatively short time frame in July, August, and September.
August has the highest rainfall of any month in the year. But even then, this amounts to no more than 40 mm (less than two inches) when averaged across the country.
However, rainfall isn’t consistent across the country, meaning the above figures can underestimate the amount of rain experienced by the wettest parts of the country.
The year-round heat (see below) ensures even unsurfaced roads dry quickly, although those travelling by road during a shower can soon find themselves in a quagmire.
Average temperatures in Mauritania
Temperatures are at their lowest in December and January, when average daily temperatures hover around 21°C (70°F).
At the other end of the year, they peak in June and July at more than 33°C (91.5°F).
Temperatures steadily rise from February onwards, and then slowly decline again from August until November.
Minimum, in other words night time temperatures, follow a similar pattern across the year. They tend to lie around seven degrees below their mean daytime values.
Maximum daytime temperatures are as neat, being roughly seven degrees higher than daily means. In June and July, temperatures at 3 pm of 41 or 42°C (106-108°F) are not uncommon.
These hours can be extremely uncomfortable, and you’ll see little movement on the streets until sunset.
Dealing with Mauritania’s climate
Stay out of the sun during the hottest parts of the day whenever possible. You should also stay well hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids, and carry a sweater with you.
Although it never becoming truly cold (to an Englishman), when the sun sets the change in temperature of as much as 20 degrees can make it feel cold.
By contrast, stuffy hotel rooms can be saunas right through the night. If it’s a good night’s sleep you’re after (and who isn’t), it’s best to choose one of the better hotel picks in cities like Nouakchott.
Is there a wet season in Mauritania?
The northern half of Mauritania experiences a relatively constant desert climate throughout the year.
However, Mauritania’s southern half sits within Africa’s tropical zone and does experience a wet season.
What’s more, records suggest the wet season has been steadily getting more intense since at least the 1960s due to climate change.
The south of the country is also much more humid than the north. The north instead experiences a more bearable dry heat which can be dealt with by seeking shade.
If you’re sticking to the coast, the Atlantic breeze can help keep temperatures down too. If the wind is coming from the west instead, it can increase the temperature by several degrees.
Encountering Mauritania’s wet season
Elsewhere in the country, the sometimes-harsh winds whip up sand, which can sting the skin and quickly jam moving parts like extending camera lens.
During the summer, the climate of Mauritania’s south is dominated by west Africa’s monsoon season.
It has more of an effect the further south you travel, with Nouakchott only slightly affected.
This means that while the country’s average rainfall figures for August are 40 mm, in the far south, August is more likely to see four times that figure, 160 mm (or more than six inches).
Falling as heavy showers, an average of 11 days in the month see some rainfall.
When is the best time to visit Mauritania?
For most travellers, the best time to visit Mauritania is going to be during the winter months of November and December. These two months see the lowest temperatures and basically no rain. If you can endure slightly higher temperatures, the months from December up until the end of May are also acceptable. It’s generally best to avoid the summer months of June to August, when temperatures are highest and the rains are sometimes disrupting in the country’s far south.
