“Would I do this if I wasn’t able to take a picture or video of it?”
I
f you Google the iron ore train in Mauritania, you’ll find Instagram and TikTok posts of tourists riding atop a freight train in the Sahara Desert. Or, you’ll see tips on Reddit about bribing officials to ride this infamous train. Videos of travelers are gaining traction on social media, calling it a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. It’s both sad and frustrating to see tourists completely disregard local rules for social media clout.
In the West African country of Mauritania, a 3 kilometer (1.86 mile) train runs across the Sahara. It is one of the heaviest trains in the world, with more than 200 cars transporting up to 84 tons of iron ore from a mining town to Nouadhibou, a port city, with some stops in between. Although the train includes a passenger car, travelers often ignore it to illegally climb a ladder and sit within the iron ore for the nearly 20-hour journey.
The videos show tourists covered in dirt, braving harsh nighttime temperatures, eating with blackened hands, and ducking to avoid authorities. On Reddit and TikTok, users share tips on where to board the train and how to prepare for the journey. Despite the beautiful posts showcasing panoramic views of the Sahara, it is a dangerous trip.
@isaacexploress HERE IT IS! The video on how we managed to ride the Iron Ore Train 🚂 This journey takes you from the capital of Noukchott to the furthest away city of Atar and then eventually to the place where we boarded the train Choum. It’s an adventure for those who are well travelled and it’s important to be prepared and properly informed before visiting. Overall it was the most incredible experience of my life and one I won’t be forgetting any time soon 🇲🇷 FOLLOW FOR MORE TRAVEL STORIES 🌍 #howto #ironoretrain #mauritania #story #saharadesert ♬ original sound – Isaac Elam
Not to mention, it’s illegal. In 2024, the mining company Société Nationale Industrielle et Minière (SNIM), which operates the train, banned tourists from riding on top. Yet, this hasn’t deterred travelers from attempting to cross off this “bucket list experience.” According to Reddit comments, authorities conduct security checks and escort rule-breaking tourists to the passenger cars. Influencer Isaac Elam is even selling a $29.99 guide on how to ride the train illegally, sharing contacts of those who helped him.
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There are so many issues with this behavior. Traveling to an African country to break its laws is a blatant display of privilege. While locals sometimes hitchhike on this train out of necessity, tourists spend hundreds of dollars to get there, bribing officials because they have the means to do so. No matter what TikTok says, this is not ethical or responsible tourism.
In a video by Wild_Milk dismissing this experience and mocking people who post about it, she asks, “Would I do this if I wasn’t able to take a picture or video of it?” If you couldn’t document this, would you still do it? That question really needs to be asked more often.
Some have also questioned why this experience is being romanticized. You sit for up to 20 hours on a train carrying iron ore, where sand and iron get everywhere. There are no bathrooms, so you dig a hole in the ore to relieve yourself—raising another ethical concern, as someone has to clean up after you. The weather is harsh—hot during the day and cold at night. And if anything goes wrong, medical services are not easily accessible.
Another critical point: Mauritania still practices modern forms of slavery. It was the last country to outlaw slavery in 1981, yet around 149,000 people remain enslaved. The U.S. Department of State has issued a Level 3: Reconsider Travel warning for Mauritania, with some areas under a Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory. While traveling to such destinations can be risky, Mauritania is a beautiful country with much to offer. If you truly want to learn about its customs and experience its culture ethically, consider holidays organized by Responsible Tourism.
Let’s recap for those in the back: travel is a privilege. You do not get to swim in the Trevi Fountain or make out with statues in Italy for kicks. You do not get to access restricted areas in Hawai’i for your followers. You do not get to block essential services in a volcano zone to take a picture. As a tourist, it is your responsibility to follow local laws, educate yourself, and respect your surroundings.
Do better.
Related: The 10 Worst Tourists of 2024
