Mauritanie: Traveling

Means of Transport Recommended in Town

Recommendation

The two modes of transport used in the cities are the taxi and the bus. There are many taxi cabs, old and without a meter, you should therefore not hesitate to negociate the fare's price. Neither buses are modern but there are many of them and they are cheap.

Maps of Urban Networks

Map of Mauritania
Map of Mauritania

Transportation From Airport to City Centre:

Airport	Distance	Taxi	Bus	Train	Car Rental
Nouakchott (NKC)	4 km / 2 miles	USD 2	-	-	-

Means of Transport Recommended in the Rest of the Country

Recommendation

With a bush-taxi you can go anywhere in Mauritania. They are however not alwasy in good condition and their owners do not hesitate filling them up. Do not shy away from taking several places or taking the place in the front, more expensive but also more comfortable. There are two kinds of bush-taxis: on tar: Peugeot-break station wagons which can take up to nine people in addition to the driver. On tar and trails: 4x4 Toyotas or Nissan Patrol. In principle, cars leave when they are full, so for certain routes it is possible to wait a few hours or a few days before departure. Do not hesitate buying the free places. If one is travelling in the front, it is always necessary to take water, a scarf and a blanket.

Rail Companies

The National Industrial and Mining Society manages the rail connection between Nouadhibou and Zérouate (link in French)

Airlines

You Can Consult the List of Airlines Banned Within the EU. Look Also at the rating of the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Traveling By Yourself

Recommendation

Roads are generally in good condition but the majority of them are trails. In Mauritania you drive on the right, except for between F'derick and Zouérate where you drive on the left. Given the specifics of the place, it is advised to be accompanied by a guide and always have a road map at hand. Car locations are relatively costly and it's better to check the vehicle's condition and the quality of the driver (experience and knowledge of the desert). Because of sand cover, presence of animals, intensification of the traffic and the circulating vehicles' condititon one should avoid to drive in the night. Police must be informed In the case of an accident, in order to draw up a report. International driver's licence is required.

Road Maps

Map of Mauritania
Map of the Mauritanian Embassy

Find an Itinerary

Mauritania on the Maps.Live.com serach engine

Different Forms of Tourism

Historical

Between Maghreb and Black Africa, Mauritania is favorable to tourism.
The ancient "ksour" (cities founded in 11th and 14th century to respond to needs of caravans crossing the Sahara) of Ouadane, Chingetti, Tichitt and Oualata in the North-East of the country are on the UNESCO's World Heritage list.

Cultural

The country is trying to develop this kind of tourism by highlighting its rich heritage (poetry, singing...). Thus, a national film-makers' festival takes place each year in Nouakchott.

Nature

The Arguin Bank natural park, an important site of bird reproduction in Africa, situated in the North-West of the country, is particularly spectacular.

Religious

The 'Saudi' mosque is very well-known in Nouakchott. With its two minarets it is very imposing. It was given to Mauritania as a gift by Saudi Arabia.

Thermal

Non-existing.

Beach

The 700km long Atlantic coast has is very well known for its immaculate white sand beaches, picturesque landscapes, rocks and azure-blue skies.

Winter Sports

Non-existing.

Outdoor Activities

The country offers numerous possibilities of camel-back excursions, 4x4 rides, Quad biking, trekking and hot baloon flights.

Shopping

The original nomadic population leads a simple life, which has not allowed for a development of a variety of crafts. However, there is some beautiful silver and ebony jewellery.

Tourism Organizations

Mauritanian Official Tourism Board

Health and Safety

Health Precautions

A certificate of vaccination against yellow fever is required of all travellers aged more than one year, except for those arriving from a non-infected zone and staying in the country for less than 15 days. A risk of malaria infection, mainly under the malignant P falciparum form exists year-round throughout the country, except for the nothern zones of Dakhlet-Nouadhibou and Tiris-Zemour. Disease prevention is recommended in the risk-zones: C+P.

Bathing in fresh water presents a risk of exposure to bilharzia (or schiztosomose). Do not bath unless you are able to get a reliable opinion about a particular locality. The Anti-meningitide A+C vaccine is justified during periods of epidemies (generally the dry season), for longer stays or for a multiple-year expatriation. In order to [protect oneself against travel diarrhea, it is advised to avoid raw foods, meats and fish that are not properly cooked, as well as non-drinkable tap water.

For Further Information on Sanitary Conditions

 World Health Organization website on Mauritania

For Further Information on Safety Conditions

Website about security in Mauritania
US Department of State site on Mauritania

Contact Your Embassy

Egyptian Embassy in Mauritania
Villa NO.468 – Zeina Branch, Olympic Playground Street
176 Nouakchott
Phone: (00222) 5252192 - 5292026
Fax: (00222) 5255384

Time Difference and Climate

Time and Time Difference

It is %T:%M %A In Nouakchott (GMT)

Summer Time Period

There is no summer time.