Banc d'Arguin National Park

The park extends over 12,000 square kilometers along the Atlantic coast, featuring beaches, sand dunes, mudflats, and shallow waters between Cape Blanc and Cape Timiris.

The Portuguese established a fort in 1455 for slave trade in the region, followed by Dutch and French presence until France abandoned the area in 1728.

The Imraguen people maintain traditional fishing methods in the park waters, working with dolphins to locate large schools of fish using sustainable techniques.

Access to the park requires a 4x4 vehicle from the highway between Nouakchott and Nouadhibou, with basic accommodations available in the village of Iwik.

The park serves as a critical stopover for more than three million coastal birds annually, making it one of the largest bird gathering sites in West Africa.

Location: Nouadhibou

Location: Dakhlet Nouadhibou

Inception: 1978

Elevation above the sea: 21 m

Website: http://pnba.mr

GPS coordinates: 20.60380,-16.21388

Latest update: May 11, 2025 15:03