Mauritania is hot almost throughout the whole year. Most of the country has common desert climate, only the southern parts near Senegal River have savannah climate. Canary current regularly causes fog in costal areas, which moderates high temperatures and lack of rainfall.
In the westernmost region of Africa, Mauritania looks out onto the Atlantic Ocean surrounded by a great African culture based in antiquity. Officially referred to as the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, this country is largely overrun by the immense Sahara Desert interspersed with oasis communities in the lower lands.
Nouakchott, the capital and largest city, was only recently founded in 1960. While it is a young city, it is still a great city to be immersed in the traditional African culture. The National Library and National Archives hold ancient African treasures of prehistoric art, scripts, woven blankets, and old tools. The Nouakchott Museum exhibits many ancient African relics, statues, and artwork. The Nouakchott Silver Market is a great place to find tribal silverworks such as silver trinkets embellished by hand, jewelry, teapots and unique statuettes.
Nouakchott is the place to go if you want a meteorite fragment that crashed in the Sahara Desert, as they are readily available. Other interesting sites include The Central Mosque, The Plage du Wharf, a renowned African carpet maker, and the crowded camel trading market. On the perimeter of the city, you can find desert beaches and a lively fisherman's wharf where you can sample many local seafood delicacies prepared with many regional spices and vegetables.
Mauritania is 100% Muslim and extremely proud of their spirituality. The majority of construction is usually in the form of mosques, or Muslim education centers. Ouadane, one of many oasis communities, is home to one of Mauritania's oldest mosques that holds more than 3,000 ancient scripts and scrolls.
Mauritania's cuisine is deeply rooted in tribal flavors. Local specialties include chebujin, which is fish and rice perfumed with regional spices. Grilled sheep, known as mechui, is popular with the natives. For total immersion in Mauritania's food culture, instead of going to a restaurant, you can actually pay a local family to prepare regional dishes for you quite cheaply.
The vast Sahara Desert continues to encroach on Mauritania. The climate is extremely hot and dry all the time, even down by the beaches and oasis towns. At its hottest, Saharan regions can get up to 135 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer. If you venture out into the desert, stay safe, carry lots of water and cover your head.
Getting around is not too difficult as there are several buses and numerous cheap taxis. The roads are not very developed outside of the cities, as most travelers through the area are nomadic desert walkers, however the beaten path is quite traversable. The natives are approachable and some are friendlier than others, even though they do not speak much English. Mauritania is a unique stopover while exploring Africa's greatness. Desert enthusiasts and photographers will find much to enjoy here.
Lesotho
Lesotho has a rainfall for most of the year with extensive snowfall in the winter. Because of the elevation of the country snow is possible during any month of the year. Rainfall in the summer months is normally in the form of thunderstorms. It gets quite cold in the winter and many houses are not built for the cold weather. If you plan to visit during the winter make sure to bring a warm coat as it routinely gets below zero at night.
Lesotho, officially known as the Kingdom of Lesotho, is completely encased in the Republic of South Africa. It is the only country on the planet that exists entirely above 3300 feet. Lesotho's elevation makes it a haven for mountain climbers, hikers, and trekkers.
The Drakensberg mountain range, the highest in all of Southern Africa, reaches its pinnacle with Thabana Ntlenyana Peak rising up more than 11,000 feet. The Drakensbergs are renowned for the tens of thousands of rock paintings and cave art by the legendary ancient Bushmen, some dating back over 40,000 years. The Royal Natal National Park, in the northern Drakensbergs, contains one of the most famous and highest waterfalls in the world known as Tugela Falls. The majestic Maletsunyane Waterfalls tower more three times higher than the famed Niagara Falls and have been featured in scores of magazines. Thaba-Ts'oeu Mountain is home to a magnificent petrified forest that has been used in movie productions.
Many great Zulu tribes call the Drakensberg Mountains home. They are extremely friendly people and in their villages you will receive great hospitality and have the opportunity to purchase some of their exquisite Zulu beadwork, tapestries, and tribal woodcarvings. For paleontological tourists, take a tour of Morija, Moyeni, and Qalo to see amazingly well preserved footprints of prehistoric dinosaurs that wandered this region.
Maseru, the capital city, is the only well-developed city. Traditional mud-bricked rondavels are interspersed with modern buildings and plazas. The Roman Catholic Cathedral of Our Lady of Victories, the King's Palace, and the Prime Minister's Residence are popular sites with the architectural tourists. Lesotho Sun Hotel and the Maseru Sun Hotel provide a wonderful casino and unique gaming facilities. The New Lehakoe National sports center features swimming pools and tennis courts open to the public. The streets are full of food stalls, cafes, little markets, and street vendors intertwined with the sounds of street musicians playing native instruments like the lekolulo and setolo-tolo. The Morija Arts & Cultural Festival is a yearly occurrence that everyone looks forward to with a great celebration of robust African culture and heritage through song, dance, and poetry.
Lesotho's language is the ripest collection of African dialects. While most natives speak Bantu, you can also hear Afrikaans, Zulu, and Xhosa. English and French are frequently spoken so travelers will have an easy time getting around and communicating with the natives. They are extraordinarily friendly and excited to share their culture with you.
Lesotho's altitude makes it an exceedingly pleasant environment to be immersed in traditional untamed African culture. While the winters are marked with snow and some crystallization of the illustrious waterfalls, it is a perfect year round destination for eco-tourists, archaeological enthusiasts, and mountain climbers looking to conquer some of Africa's most glorious peaks.
