Mauritania has seen a dramatic rise in tourism in recent years, thanks to its superb surf, burnished Saharan dunes and the desolate beauty of the desert. The capital of this West African nation is Nouakchott, featuring pastel-painted buildings, French restaurants, vibrant markets and fleets of brightly coloured fishing boats.

The Banc d’Arguin - where the Sahara Desert meets the Atlantic Ocean - has incredible birdlife, with some 2 million migratory avian species arriving in the northern hemisphere winter. Other highlights of the country include Cap Blanc - home to one of the last surviving Mediterranean monk seal colonies on the planet - and Ouadane, an ancient desert town in the Adrar region.

Set in an emerald oasis, this UNESCO World Heritage Site features archaeological ruins, stone and earth architecture, turbaned locals and camel caravans. Less than an hour from the town lies the mysterious Richat Structure - a circular geological feature that is visible from space and is also known as the ‘Eye of the Sahara’.