Major city · Mauritania
Choum
Stop in Choum to board the iron‑ore train; plan only a few hours, no overnight stay needed.
Choum is a tiny railway halt in the Adrar desert with a single attraction – the iron‑ore train – and virtually no services. A brief visit of a few hours is enough; bring water, sun protection and sleeping gear if you plan to camp.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- MRU
- Best months
- Nov–Feb
- avoid Jul–Aug (extreme heat)
- Airport
- ATR
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Carry an original yellow fever vaccination certificate on…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- West Africa ↗Carry an original yellow fever vaccination certificate on any West African trip: several countries on the coast road demand it of every arrival, and the rest demand it after you have passed through a neighbour.
- West Africa ↗Cross land borders and drive between cities in daylight only; plan each crossing as a full travel day with cash for fees and passport copies for checkpoints.
- Mauritania ↗Apply for the e-visa on the official ANRPTS portal and print the approval; visas on arrival ended in January 2025 and the fee is paid in cash at the airport.
- Mauritania ↗Travel advice differs by region: check your own government's advice for each area on your route, especially in the east and near the Mali border.
- Mauritania ↗Alcohol is prohibited; do not import or carry it.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Choum17 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Choum, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Mauritanian ouguiya (MRU), redenominated in 2018 (1 new = 10 old; prices are sometimes still quoted in old ouguiya).Mauritania-wide
- SIM or eSIMMauritel, Mattel and Chinguitel sell SIMs in Nouakchott; passport needed.Mauritania-wide
- Tap waterBottled only.Mauritania-wide
- TippingDriver or guide day: €5–10 (≈ US$6–12).Mauritania-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/E. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Mauritania-wide
- SafetyChoum is remote with no services; the main risks are heat, dehydration and lack of communication – prepare thoroughly.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsBasic in auberges; the desert is the toilet on 4x4 days.Mauritania-wide
- Emergency numbers17 police · 18 fire and ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidayscheckWeekend is Saturday and Sunday (changed from Friday in 2014 — check); Friday prayers close shops midday.Mauritania-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportATR Atar Airport (about 150 km (93 mi) south, reachable by minibus).ATR Atar Airport (about 93 mi (150 km) south, reachable by minibus).
- Getting aroundOn foot; the settlement is a cluster of shacks within walking distance.
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- ATR Atar Airport (about 150 km (93 mi) south, reachable by minibus)ATR Atar Airport (about 93 mi (150 km) south, reachable by minibus)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Feb
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Mar
not flagged
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
Apr
not flagged
44°C (111°F)111°F (44°C)
May
not flagged
46°C (115°F)115°F (46°C)
Jun
not flagged
48°C (118°F)118°F (48°C)
Jul
Avoid
49°C (120°F)120°F (49°C)
Aug
Avoid
49°C (120°F)120°F (49°C)
Sep
not flagged
45°C (113°F)113°F (45°C)
Oct
not flagged
40°C (104°F)104°F (40°C)
Nov
Best
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Dec
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Best: Nov–Feb. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (49°C (120°F)120°F (49°C)), coolest Jan (12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C) low). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Choum: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
0 rd
Feb
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
0 rd
Mar
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
0 rd
Apr
44°C (111°F)111°F (44°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
0 rd
May
46°C (115°F)115°F (46°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
0 rd
Jun
48°C (118°F)118°F (48°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
0 rd
Jul
49°C (120°F)120°F (49°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
0 rd
Aug
49°C (120°F)120°F (49°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
0 rd
Sep
45°C (113°F)113°F (45°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
0 rd
Oct
40°C (104°F)104°F (40°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
0 rd
Nov
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
0 rd
Dec
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
0 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
On foot; the settlement is a cluster of shacks within walking distance.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Atar
cautionDoor to door: ≈3 h
Minibus from Choum, about 150 km (93 mi) south on paved roadMinibus from Choum, about 93 mi (150 km) south on paved road
Limited services; arrange transport in advance.
Nouadhibou (iron‑ore train destination)
goDoor to door: ≈6 h
Board the ore train from Choum; travel north‑west to the coast
Train runs infrequently; check schedule with local operator.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
None (sleep in your own gear)
Bring a sleeping bag and mat; the ground is rocky and there are no hotels.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- MRU 200–300 (water, food, minimal supplies)
Trip budget
| Camping (own gear)1 × 1 night × MRU 0 | MRU 0 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × MRU 300 | MRU 300 |
| Minibus Choum → Atar1 × MRU 200 · check | MRU 200 |
| Bottled water (4 L per day)1 × MRU 200 · check | MRU 200 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | MRU 70 |
| Trip total≈ MRU 770 per person per day, bed included | MRU 770 |
No hotels or hostels; bring a sleeping bag and mat.
2026 estimate in MRU; no accommodation options exist in Choum itself – budget is for supplies and transport only.
Prices of common things
| Minibus fare Choum → Atarcheck | MRU 200 |
| Bottled water (1 L) | MRU 30–50 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Daytime temperatures exceed 40 °C (104 °F) in summer; carry at least 4 L water per person.Daytime temperatures exceed 104 °F (40 °C) in summer; carry at least 4 L water per person.
- No phone, mobile or internet coverage; arrange emergency contact before arrival.
- No shops or medical facilities; bring all supplies, including vitamin pills.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 17
- Fire and ambulance
- 18
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
ChoumChoum
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
إلى هذا العنوان من فضلكTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police17
- Fire and ambulance18
Embassy
US consulate in Nouakchott (check address); other embassies in Nouakchott.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Ore train Choum → Nouadhibou: about MRU 1,500 per passenger (check schedule)
- Minibus Choum → Atar: about MRU 200 per person
Say or show
- سلام — Hello (salaam)
- ماء — Water (maa)
- كم الثمن؟ — How much? (kam al-thaman?)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Choum. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–Feb · avoid Jul–Aug (extreme heat) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 1 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a short stay in Atar for supplies and a guide.
- Combine with a visit to the Richat Structure (if road permits).
Sources
Ask about Choum
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