When is the best time to visit Mauritania?

The best time to visit depends on where you go. Chinguetti: December & January; Nouadhibou: March & May; Nouakchott: March & December.

Which month is best overall in Mauritania?

Averaged across our 3 destinations in Mauritania, the strongest months are March, February, December. Individual places can shift a month or two earlier or later — each destination page lists its own peak.

Which cities in Mauritania does bestime.to cover?

We currently score 3 destinations in Mauritania: Chinguetti, Nouadhibou, Nouakchott.

How are the Mauritania travel scores calculated?

Every city is rated 0-10 per month using ERA5 climate normals - temperature, precipitation, humidity, daylight, and days with 6+ hours of sunshine.

Best Time to Visit Mauritania: Weather by Month

01 · Mauritania

About Mauritania

Mauritania sits between the Atlantic and the Sahara, a vast desert country with a long fishing coast. Nouakchott is the sprawling capital, the Adrar plateau holds the historic caravan towns of Chinguetti and Ouadane, and Banc d'Arguin and the iron ore train crossing the desert are memorable experiences. November to March is the cool, clear season for desert travel; the rest of the year is very hot, and the coastal upwelling keeps the shore cooler and often hazy.

Did you know?

Mauritania is largely Sahara, and the iron-ore train that crosses the desert is one of the longest trains in the world.
The Richat Structure, a huge circular rock formation, is clearly visible from space.
Banc d'Arguin national park is a UNESCO site and a major stopover for migratory birds.

Weather

Mauritania: weather by month

Warmest month: September (29°C). Wettest: August (17 mm). Best overall score: March (9.8/10).

Month	Avg temp	Rain	Sunny days	Score
January	21°C	0 mm	29	9.5/10
February	21°C	5 mm	27	9.7/10
March	22°C	2 mm	30	9.8/10
April	24°C	4 mm	30	9.0/10
May	26°C	5 mm	31	8.3/10
June	27°C	4 mm	30	7.6/10
July	28°C	8 mm	31	7.6/10
August	28°C	17 mm	30	7.2/10
September	29°C	13 mm	29	6.9/10
October	28°C	3 mm	30	7.3/10
November	24°C	2 mm	28	8.7/10
December	21°C	7 mm	29	9.7/10

Travel Tips

01Best time & timing: The strongest months are March, February, December: March peaks at 9.8/10, while September drops to 6.9/10.
02Weather & what to pack: 22°C and 2 mm of rain shape a typical March here. Pack light clothing, a hat and real sun protection.
03Crowds & value: Book early for December, the busiest stretch; April is the value window at 9.0/10.

Things to do in Mauritania

Mauritania. Live activities and tours from GetYourGuide, matched to this destination.

FAQ

Frequently asked

When is the best time to visit Mauritania?: The best time to visit depends on where you go. Chinguetti: December & January; Nouadhibou: March & May; Nouakchott: March & December.
Which month is best overall in Mauritania?: Averaged across our 3 destinations in Mauritania, the strongest months are March, February, December. Individual places can shift a month or two earlier or later — each destination page lists its own peak.
Which cities in Mauritania does bestime.to cover?: We currently score 3 destinations in Mauritania: Chinguetti, Nouadhibou, Nouakchott.
How are the Mauritania travel scores calculated?: Every city is rated 0-10 per month using ERA5 climate normals - temperature, precipitation, humidity, daylight, and days with 6+ hours of sunshine.

Climate data: Open-Meteo ERA5 historical archive, the five most recent complete years (2021–2025). Scores are monthly averages for that window, not forecasts, and short-window precipitation can differ from longer-term normals. “Sunny days” count days with at least 6 hours of measured sunshine — they are not dry days.

Curated in Mauritania