Choum

The longest train in the world

Choum is a town in Mauritania. Practically impossible to hitch to/out of here from Atar - the town only exists because the train stops here, and the only vehicles going in and out will be bush taxis coming to meet the train or taking passengers away to Atar. These can cost between 1000 and 2000 ouguiya depending on how many passengers are waiting and your bargaining skills.

There is one train a day to Nouadhibou and one to Zouerate, which can turn up any time between midnight and 5am or even later.

Like in Nouadhibou, be careful of straying north of the tracks. Choum is right on the border with Western Sahara and this border has been heavily landmined.