Coming to DNP

Routes to the Park

  • The North road from Nouakchott (220 km) : Take the Rosso road, pass Tiguent and take the fork on the right (after 50 km) towards Keur Macène (35 km). At the exit of Keur Macène, take the track on the right and join the international dike 1 km away. As the road is not yet paved on this portion, traffic can be more or less difficult depending on the season; drive slowly and enjoy the scenery!
 
  • The South road from Saint-Louis du Senegal (45 km) : The Diawling Park is located on the border with Senegal (less than 20km) and very close to the town of Saint-Louis du Senegal (45km) listed as a UNESCO world heritage site. From St-Louis, take the road towards Diama. The park house is located 12km after the Diama border post. Please note, this route requires you to complete border crossing formalities. Checkpoints are not open at night from 19 p.m.
 
  • The road to the beach : With an experienced driver and good knowledge of the tides, it is entirely possible to get to the Park by the coast along the sea from Nouakchott. The route is certainly the shortest, but remains impassable part of the year when the lower delta is flooded or when the tides are too strong. You can consult the tide times in Nouakchott here (and in relation to St. Louis add about an hour).

Directions to the Maurisert hostel

Questions answers

To be able to enter the Park, it is obligatory to pay tourist entry fees of up to 200 MRU per person with the tax collector.

The Park is open all year round. Tourist season mainly concentrated from October to April. 

The lower delta of the Senegal River is subject to very strong climatic and ecological variations throughout the year, considerably changing its appearance.

November to March, the Park is under the influence of water releases from the river and the Diama dam. It is then flooded, making it conducive to the development of vegetation. The climate is milder and drier. This period coincides with the return of migratory birds and the end of fish migration. This is the ideal time to come and visit the Diawling Park.

From April to June, the climate is warming and the park's ponds are drying up. Migratory species have returned. Mammals and reptiles come closer to hydraulic structures and are then more visible.

July to October, winter begins and the first rains begin to fall. The climate is warming and becoming more humid, favoring the proliferation of mosquitoes. The dikes become less passable and the area becomes isolated. This season is certainly the least conducive to tourism.

In the Park area, villagers speak the local languages ​​of Mauritania: Hassanya, Pulaar and Wolof. Few villagers speak French.

On the other hand, Park agents and guides speak French fluently and can also serve as interpreters.

The Park is located in an Afro-tropical zone on the banks of the Senegal River. Mosquitoes in the area can be vectors of malaria. It is advisable to have the appropriate treatment (antimalarials, mosquito net, etc.).

Mauritania is a Muslim country, open and hospitable. It is important to respect local customs and traditions.

The consumption and sale of alcohol or psychotropic substances is prohibited.