1. Summary 2. Highlights 3. Getting Here 4. History 5. Government 6. Money 7. Geography 8. Weather and Climate 9. Culture 10. Food 11. Accommodations 12. Education 13. Work 14. Communications 15. Health and Safety 16. Getting Around

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edit Mauritania Travel Guide

Mauritania is a country in northwest Africa. Geographically part of the Maghreb, Mauritania borders Algeria, Senegal and Mali, along with the disputed territory of Western Sahara.

edit Highlights

edit Getting Here

By plane

By train

By car

By bus

By boat

edit History

edit Government

edit Money

edit Geography

edit Weather And Climate

edit Culture

edit Food

edit Accommodations

edit Education

edit Work

edit Communications

edit Health And Safety

For the majority of Westerners, the local water in any part of the country (including Nouakchott) is not safe to drink. Visitors are advised to drink only bottled water if they don't have access to some type of water purifying or filtration system.

Malaria is endemic in the Southern part of the country, and visitors should always use a mosquito net there. Mosquitos are less common in the dry desert in the North of the country, but exist year-round in the South, if a bit less prevalent during the dry season (December-May).

edit Getting Around

In Nouakchott, taxis usually cost 200 UM (regardless of the number of people). For a longer trip, expect to pay 300 to 500. At the airport, drivers will try to get 1,000 or more. If you are not comfortable bargaining, simply walk outside the gates to the road.

Inexpensive public transport exists between main cities in the way of bush taxi. If you really want to avoid waiting and potentially long car rides, renting a 4x4 is almost mandatory and not so expensive if you share the cost. There are tons of car rental places in central Nouakchott; it is a good idea to hire a driver.

Bush taxis run between most cities. Mercedes are most expensive followed by peugeot 504s and pick up trucks/minibuses. For off-road travel, 4x4s and pickup trucks are used. The best option for bush taxis, usually, is a Mercedes. When traveling by bush taxi in Mauritania, know that a full car means four across the back and two sharing the front passenger seat. Buying a "place" will not mean a full seat. For a more comfortable trip, you may want to pay for two places. Cars do not travel on a schedule; rather, they leave when there are enough passengers. You will stop at the whim of the driver to eat or pray. Keep ID handy for police check points.

The desert train can be taken between Nouadhibou, Choum, Fderik and Zouerat, and many smaller stops in between. Riding on top of the iron ore wagons is free (if cold and dirty), and the passenger wagon has a small cost. From Atar, take a pickup to Choum and wait for the train to stop around sunset. You will arrive in Noaudhibou the next morning. There is only one train a day.