Mauritania Iron Ore Train, Mauretania

The Iron Ore Train in Mauritania is one of the longest and heaviest trains in the world. It is a vital lifeline for the country’s economy and an iconic experience for adventurous travelers. Here's an overview:

Key Features:
The train can stretch over 2.5 kilometers (1.5 miles) and typically comprises more than 200 freight cars carrying iron ore.
Each car can carry 84 tons of iron ore, making the entire train incredibly heavy.

Route:
It travels approximately 700 kilometers (435 miles) between the mining town of Zouerate, located in the Sahara Desert, and the port city of Nouadhibou on the Atlantic coast.
The journey takes about 20-24 hours, depending on conditions.

Function:
The train primarily transports iron ore, a key export for Mauritania, from the mines in Zouerate to the port for shipment overseas.
Some sections also serve as passenger transport for locals, often using makeshift accommodations atop the ore cars.
Passenger Experience:

For intrepid travelers, riding atop the open ore cars has become a famous adventure. While the experience offers breathtaking views of the Sahara, it is not for the faint-hearted due to extreme heat during the day, freezing temperatures at night, and the gritty iron ore dust.
There is also a passenger carriage, though it is less commonly used by tourists.

Challenges:
The harsh desert conditions, including sandstorms and intense temperatures, make maintaining and operating the train a logistical challenge. Travelers face significant physical demands when riding the train, and there is minimal safety infrastructure.

Fun Fact:
The Iron Ore Train is often called a "moving city" because of its sheer size and the way it connects remote desert regions. It’s not only a transportation system but also a cultural icon that highlights Mauritania’s reliance on its natural resources and the rugged beauty of the Sahara.

Bring any kind of lenses with you, also a drone. The train arrives or passes by 3-5 times a day, without a precise time table, so bring time, setup a camp and wait. Mostly you can hear it coming 15-30 min prior to arrival. There's a small hill lookout for taking some really nice photographs.

It's a little bit tricky and NOT doable without a good 4x4 Offroader, as you need to go through deeper sand. Just drive through the village and find your way through all the trash and the desert until you reach the camp-spot. For the photo I marked the hill. It's easy to climb and offers a great view onto the train, when it arrives.