Azoueiga Tours Mauritanie

The Desert Train and Choum Station

The town of Choum: its landmarks and the importance of the train

Choum is a vital Saharan town and administrative centre in the wilaya of Adrar, in north-western Mauritania. Its considerable historical and economic fame derives from its close link to the railway line and the famous "desert train."

Geographical and historical overview

Location: in the north-west of the country, close to the edge of the great Sahara, at an altitude of around 235 metres above sea level.

Founding significance: Choum emerged as one of the main transit stops before paved roads became widespread, forming a key pivot for human and economic movement between north and south.

Choum's main landmarks

The historic Choum tunnel (known locally as "Gâr Choum"): built in 1962, it runs for close to two kilometres within Mauritanian territory. It was cut in order to keep the railway route inside the sovereignty of a then newly independent Mauritania, avoiding conditions imposed by the Spanish colonisation of the neighbouring Sahara. Now disused, it has become an engineering and historical landmark visited by researchers and travellers.

The desert landscape: the town is surrounded by an arid, far-reaching desert environment, making it a rest stop and a major transit point for adventure-tourism journeys in the great Sahara.

The train's great importance in Choum

Economic artery and mining link: through Choum station passes the iron-ore train of the National Industrial and Mining Company (SNIM) — the longest and heaviest train in the world, exceeding 2 kilometres in length with close to 200 wagons. The line connects the mines of Zouérate to the export port of Nouadhibou, a distance of nearly 700 kilometres.

Means of transport and supply: for the people of Choum and neighbouring villages, the train has been a lifeline and the principal means of travel, of moving goods and water, and of securing the necessities of living in the harshness of the desert climate.

Global tourist draw: Choum station attracts tourists and adventure-seekers eager to experience the desert train, unique of its kind worldwide.

What to see

Choum Tunnel

The Choum tunnel in Mauritania is an unusual monument of colonial history, today turned into a fascinating, abandoned tourist attraction for Saharan adventurers. The history of the tunnel: a colonial absurdity The original purpose: Dug in the early 1960s by the French company MIFERMA, this tunnel of nearly 2 kilometres through granite was meant to allow Mauritania's famous iron ore train to link the iron mines of Zouérate to the port of Nouadhibou. The political conflict: At the time, Mauritania was about to become independent, while the neighbouring Western Sahara (the Río de Oro) was under Spanish control. The abandonment: In 1991, after the departure of the Spanish and the change in the geopolitical situation, the managers of the railway line chose pragmatism. The route was shifted by only 5 kilometres in order to skirt the mountain more easily by way of the plain, cutting across territory that had by then become disputed. The tunnel was permanently decommissioned. Its tourist interest today Today the Choum tunnel is nicknamed by some guides "the monument to European foolishness in Africa". It draws many off-the-beaten-track travellers for several reasons: An unusual exploration: The tunnel is completely empty, dark and open to the public. It can be crossed on foot or in a 4x4 off-road vehicle. Proximity to Ben Amira: The tunnel lies in an area close to Ben Amira, the second-largest monolith in the world, which makes it an ideal stop on a circuit through the Adrar.

Natural

Tmeimichat

The tourism importance of the village of Tmeimichat (or Etmeimichat) lies in its being a major and strategic station on the route of the famous "desert train" railway, which links the iron mines of Zouérate to the port of Nouadhibou. The village, administratively part of the Dakhlet Nouadhibou region, is considered a pivotal anchor point for adventure tourism and exploration deep in the Mauritanian Sahara. The tourism value of this vital village springs from several essential pillars: The artery of the world's longest "desert train" A stopping and resupply point: Tmeimichat is an obligatory station for the Mauritanian ore train, the longest and heaviest in the world (reaching 2.5 kilometres in length). A wilderness adventure experience: It is sought out by foreign tourists and influencers looking for the experience of riding the train's open freight wagons under the stars and getting off at remote desert stations. A base for safari trips and camping (4x4) A rest stop for modern caravans: The village lies in a pristine desert environment, which makes it an ideal departure or rest point for the 4x4 vehicles organised by local travel agencies. Stargazing: The absence of light pollution in the area turns the sky of Tmeimichat into a stunning natural observatory for lovers of astronomy and open-air camping. Nomadic life and authentic hospitality Living the oral heritage: The village allows visitors direct contact with the people of the Mauritanian badia, and the chance to discover their customs and traditions, such as drinking traditional desert tea and listening to local music. Local tourism development: The flow of adventurers and desert explorers helps to stimulate the modest commercial activity within the village's administrative centre.