Mauritania Reiseführer
Wichtige Reiseinformationen — Notrufnummern, Sicherheit, Währung, Visa, Gepflogenheiten und Fortbewegung.
Mauritania carries elevated risk driven primarily by the threat of terrorism and kidnapping linked to groups operating across the Sahel, plus the hazards of its vast, sparsely populated desert. Major Western governments advise against all but essential travel to much of the country, with stricter 'do not travel' guidance for border regions. The capital Nouakchott and the coastal corridor to Nouadhibou (including the famous iron-ore train route) are generally calmer, and the country has not suffered a major terrorist attack in over a decade, but the underlying threat remains real. Petty crime exists but violent crime against tourists is uncommon. Self-drive desert travel without local guides, GPS, and convoy support is genuinely dangerous.
Mauritanian ouguiya (MRU)
Plug types C and F, 230V, 50Hz
Tipping is not deeply ingrained but is appreciated. Rounding up taxi fares and leaving small change in restaurants is common; guides and drivers on desert tours customarily receive a tip for good service. There is no fixed percentage.
Local SIM cards from Mauritel, Chinguitel, or Mattel are inexpensive and sold in Nouakchott and Nouadhibou; bring your passport to register. Mauritel generally has the widest coverage. Mobile data works in cities and along the main coastal road but is patchy to nonexistent in the deep desert, so download offline maps in advance.
Most visitors require a visa. Many nationalities can obtain a visa on arrival at Nouakchott-Oumtounsy International Airport and some land borders for a fee (commonly around 50-55 euros, payable in euros cash), though policies change, so confirm with a Mauritanian embassy before travel. A passport valid for at least six months is required. Overland travelers should check current border-crossing rules carefully.
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Public transport within cities is informal, relying on shared taxis, minibuses, and vans that run set routes. There is no metro or formal urban rail. In Nouakchott, shared taxis are the main way to get around; agree on the fare or the shared-route convention before riding.
No widely established international ride-hailing app; rides are arranged via local shared taxis and by phoning known drivers
Shared bush taxis (often Mercedes sedans or minibuses) and long-distance buses connect Nouakchott with Nouadhibou, Rosso, Atar, and other towns; vehicles usually leave when full rather than on a fixed schedule. The legendary iron-ore train between Zouerat/Choum and Nouadhibou offers a free (and famously harsh) ride atop the ore wagons or in a single basic passenger car. Domestic flights are limited. Roads beyond the paved coastal and main routes often require 4x4 vehicles and a guide.
- • Mauritania is a deeply Islamic society (an Islamic Republic), and religious observance shapes daily life. Be respectful around prayer times and during Ramadan, when eating, drinking, or smoking in public during daylight is offensive.
- • Greetings are extended and important. People exchange long sequences of inquiries about health, family, and well-being; rushing straight to business is considered rude.
- • Use your right hand for eating, giving, and receiving. The left hand is considered unclean. Communal meals are often eaten from a shared platter with the right hand.
- • Tea (ataya) is central to hospitality. Mauritanian green tea is served in three rounds, each progressively sweeter; accepting and staying for all three is the polite, social norm.
- • Dress modestly. Many Mauritanian men wear the flowing boubou (daraa) and women the colorful wraparound malafa. Visitors should keep shoulders and knees covered, and women may wish to carry a scarf.
- • Photography of people, especially women, requires permission, and photographing government buildings, military, ports, and checkpoints is prohibited.
Conservative and modest dress is expected throughout this Islamic republic. Men should wear long trousers and avoid sleeveless tops; women should cover shoulders, chest, and knees, with loose clothing preferred and a headscarf useful for mosques and rural areas. Lightweight, breathable fabrics in light colors are best for the desert heat. Swimwear is only for beaches and pools, never town streets.
Islam is the state religion and the basis of law; nearly the entire population is Sunni Muslim. Dress and behave modestly, especially near mosques (most of which are closed to non-Muslims). Do not eat, drink, or smoke in public during daylight hours in Ramadan. Avoid public displays of affection, do not offer alcohol, and never criticize Islam or the Prophet. Friday is the main day of communal prayer, when many businesses close midday. Always ask before photographing worshippers or religious sites.
Football (soccer) — Football is by far the most popular sport, played informally on streets and sandy lots across the country and followed avidly. The national team, the Mourabitounes, qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time in 2019 and again afterward, sparking huge national pride. Traditional pursuits remain important too: camel racing and camel culture feature in desert regions, and wrestling and other folk contests appear at festivals. Along the Atlantic coast, fishing is both a livelihood and a way of life.
November 28
Independence Day
Marks Mauritania's independence from France in 1960, celebrated with military parades, official ceremonies, and national displays.
Varies (Islamic lunar calendar)
Eid al-Fitr
The festival marking the end of Ramadan, observed with communal prayers, family feasts, new clothes, and charity; one of the most important holidays of the year.
Varies (Islamic lunar calendar)
Eid al-Adha (Tabaski)
The Feast of Sacrifice, commemorating Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son, marked by the ritual slaughter of a sheep, shared meals, and almsgiving.
Late December / early January (varies)
International Festival of Nomadic Music and Cultures (Festival des Cités du Patrimoine / Ouadane-Chinguetti area)
A celebration of nomadic heritage in the ancient caravan towns, featuring traditional Moorish music, poetry, camel events, and cultural performances in the desert.