Travel advisory · MauritaniaSome governments advise against all but essential travel to Mauritania.Advice depends on your passport. Read your own government's advice before you book.Official advice
- Adrar · avoid all travel · Canada, Germany, New Zealand
- Algeria border strip · avoid all travel · Germany, New Zealand, US
- Assaba · avoid all travel · Canada, France, New Zealand, UK
- Eastern Mauritania · avoid all travel · Spain, France, Italy, New Zealand, UK
- Guidimaka · avoid all travel · Canada, France, New Zealand, UK
- Hodh Ech Chargui · avoid all travel · Canada, Germany, New Zealand, US
- Hodh El Gharbi · avoid all travel · Canada, Germany, New Zealand, UK
- Mali border strip · avoid all travel · Germany, Spain, France, Italy, New Zealand, UK, US
- North of Zouérat · avoid all travel · Germany, France, Italy
- North-east of Zouérat–Ghallaouia line · avoid all travel · France, Italy
- South-east of Akhrejit–Kankossa line · avoid all travel · France, Italy
- Tagant · avoid all travel · Canada, Germany, New Zealand
- Tiris Zemmour · avoid all travel · Canada, New Zealand, UK
- East of Aghouedir–Tichit line · avoid non-essential travel · France, Italy
- Gorgol · avoid non-essential travel · France, UK
- North of Choum–Aghouedir line · avoid non-essential travel · France, Italy
- Nouadhibou to Zouérat frontier zone (PK55) · avoid non-essential travel · Spain, France, Italy
- South-east of Tichit–Kaedi line · avoid non-essential travel · France, Italy
- Western Sahara border strip · avoid non-essential travel · New Zealand, UK
Also named by one government: 25 km strip along northern borders, west of Zouérat–Ouadane line (Canada), North of Tropic of Cancer (US), Prohibited zone (Cheggat–Ain Bentili–Dhar Tichitt–Lemreyye) (Spain), Carretera de la Esperanza (Kiffa eastward) (Spain), Land route through Western Sahara (Germany), Northern region between Mauritania, Algeria and Western Sahara (Italy), West of Ghallaouia–Akhreijit–Kankossa line (Adrar and Tagant) (UK)
| Government | Advice | Updated | Read the advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (FCDO) | No advice against the whole country; advice against parts only (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| United States (State Dept) | Reconsider Travel | Aug 18, 2026 | Read the advice |
| Canada (Global Affairs) | Avoid non-essential travel | – | Read the advice |
| Germany (Auswärtiges Amt) | No advice against the whole country (regional advisories) | Oct 13, 2026 | Read the advice |
| New Zealand (SafeTravel) | Avoid non-essential travel | – | Read the advice |
| France (Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs) | Vigilance renforcée (reste du territoire) (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
Checked daily from the governments' published advice; last checked Nov 3, 2026. RoamLedger summarises official advice; it is not advice from any government.
Mauritania
Mauritania is a Sahara desert country on the Atlantic, known for its oasis towns, the manuscript libraries of Chinguetti and a coastal national park for migrating birds.
Mauritania is a large West African country, and about 90% of its territory lies in the Sahara desert. The capital, Nouakchott, sits on the Atlantic coast. Inland, the Adrar Plateau rises above spring-fed oases at the foot of its scarps. Chinguetti and Ouadane are historic desert towns. Chinguetti's libraries hold thousands of medieval Islamic manuscripts, and near Ouadane the Richat Structure, nicknamed the Eye of the Sahara, is a formation of concentric rock rings.
Banc d'Arguin National Park shelters shallow sea, coastline and wetlands. It is a bird migration site and has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1989. The northern paved road from Nouakchott to Nouadhibou covers about 470 km, so plan extra days for travel between the coast and the desert towns. Inland summer temperatures often reach 27 to 42°C, so cooler months are more comfortable. Choose this trip if you want desert scenery, old towns and slow, remote travel more than a beach holiday.
Five things to know before Mauritania
- Apply for the e-Visa before you travel
Visas on arrival ended on 5 January 2025. Apply on the official ANRPTS portal, then pay the fee on arrival in exact euros or US dollars cash. Mauritania e-Visa
- Check regional advice before heading inland
The UK advises against all travel to the east and to areas near the Mali border, and against all but essential travel to large parts of the interior. Check which routes are excluded. UK travel advice
- Go to the Adrar between November and February
Days are warm and nights cold in Chinguetti and Ouadane in those months. From May to September the inland heat is extreme.
- Carry cash for the whole desert leg
Cards work in few places outside some Nouakchott hotels. Carry euros or dollars to change and enough ouguiya for towns without ATMs.
- Dress modestly and expect little alcohol
Mauritania is an Islamic republic and alcohol is very hard to find. Cover shoulders and knees; during Ramadan, avoid eating or drinking in public by day.
Mauritania travel guides
Practical guides from writers who live there.
The ANRPTS e-Visa, paying on arrival and passport validity.
Read the guideTravel insuranceMedical and evacuation cover, and what policies exclude.
Read the guidePhones and eSIMGetting data in Mauritania from the day you land.
Read the guideMoney and costsCash, cards, ATMs and what to carry for rural stretches.
Read the guideGetting aroundDomestic flights, long-distance buses and hiring a driver.
Read the guide
When to go
- Rainy days
- Best
- JanuaryClear0 rainy daysHigh29°Low18°Mild, dryJanuaryClear
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 0 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, dry
- FebruaryClear0 rainy daysHigh29°Low19°Mild, dryFebruaryClear
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 0 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, dry
- MarchClear0 rainy daysHigh30°Low19°Warm, windyMarchClear
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 1 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, windy
- AprilClear0 rainy daysHigh31°Low20°Warm, windyAprilClear
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 1 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, windy
- MayClear0 rainy daysHigh32°Low21°Hot inlandMayClear
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 1 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot inland
- JuneClear0 rainy daysHigh32°Low23°Very hot inlandJuneClear
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 1 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Very hot inland
- JulyClear2 rainy daysHigh29°Low24°Humid, hotJulyClear
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 11 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Humid, hot
- AugustClear4 rainy daysHigh31°Low26°Rains possibleAugustClear
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 23 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rains possible
- SeptemberClear3 rainy daysHigh33°Low27°Hot, humidSeptemberClear
- High
- 33°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 26 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, humid
- OctoberClear1 rainy dayHigh35°Low26°HotOctoberClear
- High
- 35°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 3 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot
- NovemberClear0 rainy daysHigh32°Low22°CoolingNovemberClear
Best
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 0 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cooling
- DecemberClear0 rainy daysHigh29°Low19°Mild, dryDecemberClear
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 2 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, dry
Average daily high and low in Nouakchott, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Mauritania
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
24
- Feels like
- 27°
- Humidity
- 82%
- Wind
- 9 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 62%
Nouakchott
07:52 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today29°22°62%Tuesday: Rain. High 29°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 62%.
- Wed31°23°0%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 31°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu34°24°2%Thursday: Partly cloudy. High 34°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Fri36°24°0%Friday: Partly cloudy. High 36°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sat40°26°0%Saturday: Cloudy. High 40°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sun38°27°0%Sunday: Cloudy. High 38°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 0%.
Updated 06:45 AM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 40.53 MRU
Rates from Nov 3, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Before you go to Mauritania
Mauritania FAQ
Can I get a visa on arrival in Mauritania?
No. Since 5 January 2025 visitors apply online through the ANRPTS portal and pay the fee on arrival in exact euros or US dollars cash.
Is Mauritania safe to visit?
The UK advises against all travel to the east and the Mali border area, and against all but essential travel to much of the interior. Check the current map before you plan a route.
When is the best time to visit Mauritania?
November to February, when desert days are warm rather than extreme. Summer inland temperatures are dangerous for travel.
Can I ride the iron ore train?
Some travelers ride the ore train between Nouadhibou and Zouérat, but parts of that route fall inside areas under UK travel advice. Check the advisory before planning it.
Do I need a guide in the Adrar?
For desert driving, yes. A local driver with a 4x4 knows the tracks, the checkpoints and where water and fuel are available.