Train travel can often be associated with comfort and leisure, a pleasant and hassle-free way to see the world.
And there are many great rail journeys that attract tourists in their thousands.
Africa has its fair share of famous routes that are a must-do for many seeking to explore this huge and diverse continent.
The Blue Train in South Africa is just one, offering unique views of Table Mountain and the beautiful wine region around the Cape.
However, there is one train ride that offers neither luxury nor comfort, but is one of the most incredible trips to take.
The Mauritanian iron ore train connects the mining town of Zouerate to the Port of Nouadhibou via Choum in the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, located in Northwest Africa.
The route is 704 kilometres (437 miles) long, with part of the track running through the Western Sahara desert.
Trains consist of three to four diesel locomotives and can have anywhere from 200 to 300 freight carriages.
Each can transport up to 84 tonnes of iron ore, making it the heaviest as well as longest train in the world.
The train has a passenger carriage attached to its rear, allowing people to travel on the route – but don’t expect any comfort.
The carriage has multiple berths of six bunks, but is not well maintained and often overcrowded.
Many locals simply decide to travel in the freight carriages, which can be empty or full of iron ore, depending on which direction the train is travelling.
When it is heading to the Atlantic coast, then people sit on top of the iron ore, as it’s transported for export.
The train is not bound to any timetable and may leave earlier or later than the usual departure time.
A single trip can take from 11 to 15 hours, with the train making a few unscheduled stops along the way.
Travellers should be prepared for freezing temperatures at night when the sun goes down and the train crosses the Sahara.
