The Arguin Bank National Park (PNBA) covers 12,000 km² of marine and terrestrial territory on the eastern half of the Arguin Gulf, in Mauritania. Straddling the Atlantic Ocean and the Sahara Desert, it encompasses the islands of Arguin and Tidra, as well as a coastal strip bordered by Cape Minou to the north and Cape Timiris to the south. Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1989, this park is home to one of West Africa's most significant concentrations of migratory birds and a unique fishing people, the Imraguen.

Why visit Arguin Bank

The PNBA is one of the most singular natural sites on the African continent. Three elements make it a destination worth visiting:

• A transition zone between the Sahara desert and the Atlantic Ocean, which creates rare landscapes of dunes plunging directly into water, mudflats, mangroves and salt marshes.
• Exceptional bird life, with approximately two million migratory birds from Northern Europe and Siberia wintering here each year.
• The living culture of the Imraguen, a fishing community that still practices collaborative fishing with dolphins, a technique passed down through generations.

History of the park

The PNBA was created in 1976 by Mokhtar Ould Daddah, then president of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, at the request of French naturalist Théodore Monod. The objective: to protect a natural and cultural heritage deemed exceptional on a global scale.

International recognition came in two stages. In 1982, the park was designated a Ramsar site for the importance of its wetlands. In 1989, it was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, consecrating both its ecological value and the uniqueness of Imraguen way of life. The Mauritanian government allocates an annual budget of nearly one million euros for its administration and fishing regulation.

What to see in the park

Marine wildlife and birds

The shallow waters of Arguin Bank nourish millions of migratory birds. Notable species include:

• flamingos,
• grey herons,
• gulls, terns and cormorants,
• spoonbills and egrets.

Underwater life is equally abundant: dolphins (very present), sea turtles, sharks, porpoises and several fish species that constitute Mauritania's fishing wealth. This abundance explains the economic importance of fishing in the region.

Terrestrial wildlife and vegetation

In the desert, you'll encounter dorcas gazelles and Barbary sheep, as well as herds from nomadic pastoralists (camels, goats, sheep, donkeys). The vegetation, adapted to aridity, includes the desert date palm, the apple of Sodom and the false acacia. Several species formerly present in the area have now disappeared: cheetahs, Arabian oryx, warthogs and red-necked ostriches.

The Imraguen and traditional fishing

The Imraguen people have lived for centuries in balance with this ecosystem. Their best-known technique is mullet fishing with the help of dolphins, which drive schools toward nets set along the coast. The Imraguen take only what is necessary, contrasting with the industrial fishing regulated by the park.

When to visit

The best time to visit the PNBA extends from October to April, when temperatures are bearable and migratory birds are present in large numbers. The peak for bird watching falls between November and March. From May to September, Saharan heat and winds make visiting more difficult, and some community camps operate at reduced capacity.

Practical information

• Entry permit: park access is subject to an individual entry fee, generally collected at the entrance or by the accompanying agency. Budget a moderate rate per person per day.
• Accommodation: most visitors stay with the Iwiks, an Imraguen community living within the park, where simple camps welcome travelers. Conditions are basic but the human experience is at the heart of the visit.
• Recommended duration: plan 2 to 3 days to fully enjoy lanche outings (traditional pirogue), bird-watching excursions and encounters with fishermen.
• What to bring: plenty of water, sun protection, binoculars for bird-watching, warm clothing for cool winter nights.

How to get there

The park stretches between Nouakchott and Nouadhibou, along the Atlantic coast. Access is only by track and it is strongly recommended to go through a local agency or experienced guide.

• From Nouakchott: expect about one day's drive by 4x4 heading north, via the coastal road then sandy tracks to the camps (Iwik, Mamghar).
• From Nouadhibou: access via the southern part of the park is also possible, by 4x4 only.

No standard tourist vehicles can reach the camps: a 4x4 and a driver familiar with the tracks are essential.

Nearby attractions

Mauritania is full of other natural and historical sites that combine well with a visit to Arguin Bank:

• Guelb Er Richât, a spectacular circular geological structure in the heart of the Adrar.
• The ruiniform sandstone formations of Zarga, a mineral landscape with forms sculpted by erosion.
• The Amogjar Pass and Fort Saganne, a historical site in desert setting.

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Plan your trip

Arguin Bank naturally combines with the Adrar, its oases and caravans for a complete itinerary blending coast, desert and heritage. Discover our suggestions on our Mauritania travel page to build a journey at your own pace.