Tips & Tricks : 

• Entry Requirements:

Ahead of entering Mauritania, you need a valid passport and a visa. You can apply for a visa at the Mauritanian embassy in your home country or upon arrival at the airport or land border. (More information about crossing the border from Morocco to Mauritania can be found here.)

• Vehicle Requirements:

For Overlanding Mauritania, you need to have a valid driving license and car insurance; either available at the border of Mauritania or in Nouadhibou. The carnet de passage en douane (CPD) is not required.

• Road Conditions:

Mauritania has a network of paved and unpaved roads, but most of the roads outside of the major cities are unpaved and can be quite challenging to drive on. In case you want to take the off-roads in Mauritania we would recommend you a sturdy 4×4 vehicle. Take some sandboards in case of being stuck in the sand. Be prepared for long stretches of desert driving with no services or fuel stations. Even the Highways are in bad condition as they have many potholes and cracks. It can take quite some time to reach your final destination. Also, keep in mind that it is a huge country and your final destination can be far away.

• Navigation:

It is recommended to use GPS navigation as roads can be difficult to navigate, especially in remote areas. Google Maps is not always reliable in Mauritania. So it is best to have a physical map and or offline navigation app for example OsmAndMaps.

• Safety:

Mauritania is generally a safe country, but there are some security concerns in certain areas, especially in the eastern regions near the border with Mali. Always travel with normal awareness.

Since people are very religious and also the country has a low population, it is rare that crimes appear.

• Money:

Be careful with the prices and exchange of money. Until 2016 there was another currency system in Mauritania available, hence people tend to calculate in the old currency. As there are not many possibilities to pay with a credit card and not a lot of ATMs are available. We recommend getting enough cash in the big cities.

• Food Supplies:

Be sure to bring plenty of water, food, and other supplies, especially if you’re traveling in remote areas. Because many people follow the nomadic lifestyle there are not many shops available. In case you can find a shop in a village, it isn’t easy to find good supplies such as fresh vegetables or other ingredients as most people eat very basic meals with fish/camel and onion. Keep in mind that Mauritania is a desert country, water is in shortage and not everywhere available. Buy 20-liter bottles in the cities. In case you find a well or other water sources, it is good to use water filter systems or purification pills.

• Car supplies:

It’s also a good idea to bring spare parts for your vehicle in case of breakdowns. Especially a compressor for the drives in the sand dunes. Note: We saw many Mauritanians with flat tires and many broken tires.

• Accommodations:

There are limited accommodations in Mauritania, especially outside of the major cities. Mostly for the touristic areas around Atar, Nouakchott, Banc D´Arguin Campsites are available. Wild camping is generally possible, but in most National Parks it is prohibited to wild camp. In this case, you can find some campsites in the region.

Even so, many people still wild camp and people don’t mind it.

• Network:

We got a local sim card from Mauritel at the border. Unfortunately, the network and internet connection is throughout the country quite bad or not even available. Especially in the evening, the internet connection goes down. Let your friends and family know beforehand that you can be disconnected for a time being.

• Culture:

Mauritania is a Muslim country, and it’s important to respect local customs and traditions. Dress modestly, especially in rural areas, and avoid public displays of affection. Travel respectfully. We experienced that most people keep their distance and respect your personal space and wouldn’t approach you. Still, the people of Mauritania are very helpful and kind.

• Language:

The official language of Hassaniya, French is widely spoken especially in the cities. It’s helpful to know some basic phrases in either language to communicate with locals. Be aware that not a lot of people speak English.

• Iron Train:

One of the famous experiences is to take the iron train by car, we heard it is difficult to find someone who gives you a reasonable price. Maybe it would be possible to take the train via an agency or some travel guides from Mauritania.

• Weather:

Be prepared for the heat in Mauritania. The temperature can exceed more than 40 Celsius. Therefore the best travel time is from November to March. Drink a lot of water and as well put sun protection.

Overall, traveling by car in Mauritania can be a rewarding experience, but it’s important to be prepared and take necessary precautions and a lot of patience on the roads. Traveling to Mauritania really makes you feel the adventure spirit.