Diawling National Park

Diawling covers the Mauritanian side of the Senegal river delta, a wetland of floodplain, mangrove and brackish lagoon that was drying out after the Diama dam cut off the seasonal flood, and it was brought back through a programme of controlled water releases from the 1990s. Pelicans, flamingos, spoonbills and very large numbers of ducks use it, and warthog and jackal live on the drier ground. It adjoins the Djoudj park on the Senegalese side of the river, and the two together cover most of the delta.

History

The park was established in 1991, at first against the wishes of local people, who feared that grazing and fishing would be banned or limited as they had been at the Djoudj bird sanctuary across the river in Senegal, set up in 1971 (Wikipedia, Diawling National Park).

What's there

• The floodplain - the wetland restored by controlled releases from the dam.
• The waterbirds - pelicans, flamingos, spoonbills and wintering ducks.
• The mangrove - the stands along the brackish edges of the delta.
• The restoration - a wetland brought back after the dam nearly ended it.

When to go

November to March is the cool season and the peak for migratory birds. Water levels depend on the managed releases. Summer heat is severe.

Practical notes

Tracks inside the park are rough and a guide is effectively necessary. Facilities are minimal. Bird numbers depend on water management and vary considerably between years.

Nearby

Rosso is east, and Nouakchott is north.

Key facts