Opened in 1963, Mauritania’s Train du Desert, is one of the longest trains in the world. The train operates a daily service from the port at Nouadhibou on the Atlantic coast to the iron ore mines in Zouerat in the country’s north-west. The full journey, which runs along the border of the disputed territory of Western Sahara, takes around 20 hours and covers a total distance of 704km. More than 2km long, the train is made up of three or four diesel locomotives, one passenger carriage and between 200 and 210 freight cars. When loaded on the westward journey to Nouadhibou, each car can carry up to 84 tons of iron ore. Looking for a trip in one of the longest train in the world? Please e-mail us at mauritaniadesertvoyages@gmail.com and we will arrange every details of your journey!