Summary
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advise against all travel to:
- the province of Tiris Zemmour (except the town of Zouérat)
- the province of Adrar (east of Atar)
- the provinces of Tagant and Hodh el Chargui
- within 50km of the Malian border
- within 25km of the Western Sahara border (except the Noukchott - Nouadhibou corridor)
There is a general threat from terrorism, including kidnapping. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by foreigners. See Terrorism
Demonstrations have taken place in the capital Nouakchott. Some have involved clashes between police and demonstrators resulting in the use of tear gas. You should avoid all demonstrations. See Political situation
There’s no British Embassy in Mauritania. If you need consular assistance while you are in Mauritania, contact the British Embassy in Rabat or any EU Embassy in Nouakchott. See Consular assistance
Take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before you travel.
Travel Summary
- Due to the continuing high threat from terrorism throughout the country, we advise against all but essential travel to Mauritania. We believe that terrorists continue to plan attacks. These could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. We advise British nationals to keep a low profile, exercise caution, and avoid all areas where there are large gatherings of people. If a demonstration or disturbance is taking place, you should leave the area as quickly and safely as possible. It is important to be aware of your surroundings at all times. British nationals should make themselves aware of developments by listening to media reports for further information, as well as monitoring our travel advice.
- There is a high threat of kidnapping in Mauritania and surrounding countries by Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQ-M). A British national who was kidnapped with a group of travellers in the Mali/Niger border region in January has recently been executed.
- There is no British diplomatic presence in Mauritania and you should register your presence with the British Honorary Consul in Nouakchott. You should inform the Honorary Consul if you intend to travel to areas outside the main cities of Nouakchott and Nouadhibou. See the General (Representation in Mauritania) section of this advice for more details.
- Developments in the region may trigger public unrest, especially after Friday prayers. You should avoid large gatherings of people and demonstrations, which can turn hostile. Be particularly alert in public places.
- The main type of incident for which British nationals required consular assistance in Mauritania in 2008 were for replacing lost and stolen passports. You should carry a copy of your passport with you at all times for identification purposes.
- We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake. See the General (Insurance) section of this advice and Travel Insurance for more details.
Safety and security
Terrorism
Due to the continuing high threat from terrorism throughout the country, we advise against all but essential travel to Mauritania. We believe that terrorists continue to plan attacks. These could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.For more general information see Terrorism Abroad.
On 8 August 2009, a suicide bomb attack took place outside the French Embassy in Nouakchott, injuring three people.
On 23 June 2009, a US national was killed in Nouakchott. Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQ-M)has claimed responsibility for the killing.
On 1 February 2008, a group of armed men attacked the Israeli Embassy in Nouakchott.
When travelling in Mauritania you should take all necessary steps to protect your safety and should make sure you have confidence in your individual security arrangements. You should maintain a high level of vigilance, particularly in public places. You should take sensible precautions for your personal and vehicle safety.
There is a high risk of kidnap in Mauritania and surrounding countries by AQ-M. A British national who was kidnapped with a group of travellers in the Mali/Niger border region in January has recently been executed. You should be aware that the long-standing policy of the British Government is not to make substantive concessions to hostage takers. The British Government considers that paying ransoms and releasing prisoners increases the risk of further hostage taking.
Unexploded landmines remain a danger along Mauritania’s border with Western Sahara. Travellers should exercise caution, particularly if travelling off road.
For more general information see Terrorism Abroad.
For more general information see Victims of Crime Abroad.
Border Areas
There is the risk of banditry, and armed smugglers and extremist groups are active in the regions east of Zouerate, Ouadane, Tichit, and Amourj. A terrorist group, which attacked a Mauritanian army unit in June 2005, and was accused of kidnapping tourists in Algeria in 2003, remains active in the region and continues to pose a security threat. In September 2008 a dozen soldiers and their guide were killed.Unexploded landmines remain a danger along Mauritania’s border with Western Sahara. Travellers should exercise caution, particularly if travelling off road.
For more general information see Terrorism Abroad.
Crime
Crime levels are moderate but steadily increasing. There have been several incidents of car jacking involving foreigners in the capital as well as reports of robbery, rape and assault. For more general information see Rape and Sexual Assault Abroad. You should avoid the unlit and isolated beach at Nouakchott and ‘Le Cinquième’ district after dark as a number of thefts and violent incidents have been reported there in recent years.For more general information see Victims of Crime Abroad.
Political Situation
Mauritania Country Profile
A bloodless coup took place in Mauritania in August 2008 that overthrew Mauritania's first democratically elected President. Following months of political tension and uncertainty, elections were held on 18 July 2009 and the inauguration ceremony of the elected President was held on 5 August 2009.
Mauritania is calm but further instability cannot be ruled out. Travellers to Mauritania should be aware of the impact that the situation in Iraq, as well as the violence between Israelis and Palestinians, has had across the Arab world and the risk of public disturbance in response. You should follow news reports and be alert to developments in the Middle East that might trigger public disturbances. You should take sensible precautions for your personal safety and avoid public gatherings and demonstrations. Any increase in regional tension might affect Travel Advice.
You should be prepared to adjust travel plans at short notice in light of developments.
Local Travel
You should inform the Honorary Consul in Nouakchott if you intend to travel to areas outside the main cities of Nouakchott and Nouadhibou.
Crossing the border from Senegal can be time-consuming and officials may request payments to cross the border.
Crossing the border from Senegal can be time-consuming and officials may request payments to cross the border.
Should you experience any difficulties, you should seek advice from the British Honorary Consul. Contact details are:
Mr Sid’ Ahmed Ould Abeidna
Tel: +222 525 8331
Mob: +222 630 1217/+33 6800 19567
Fax: +222 525 3903
There is a reasonably good tarmac/asphalt single carriageway between Nouakchott and Nouadhibou. The drive takes 4-5 hours and is about 470km with no petrol stations or services, so take water, food and petrol. There are basic huts/shacks with water and dried snacks. Do not drive at night as many cars have one or no lights. Also beware at all times of small dunes of sand in the road, resulting from sand storms.
Of the other paved roads, conditions are generally poor, and overland travel is difficult. You are advised to use four wheel drive vehicles, check the tide times, travel in convoy and ensure you bring adequate supplies of water and fuel.
For more information see Driving Abroad.
Road Travel
There is a reasonably good tarmac/asphalt single carriageway between Nouakchott and Nouadhibou. The drive takes 4-5 hours and is about 470km with no petrol stations or services, so take water, food and petrol. There are basic huts/shacks with water and dried snacks. Do not drive at night as many cars have one or no lights. Also beware at all times of small dunes of sand in the road, resulting from sand storms.
Of the other paved roads, conditions are generally poor, and overland travel is difficult. You are advised to use four wheel drive vehicles, check the tide times, travel in convoy and ensure you bring adequate supplies of water and fuel.
For more information see Driving Abroad.
Rail Travel
The national mining company, SNIM, runs a train service for both people and vehicles between Nouadhibou and Atar (80km from Choum). It is essential to book in advance.Air Travel
You should reconfirm all flights.
Mauritania Airways runs flights linking Nouakchott to Nouadhibou (daily), Zouerate, Atar, Kaedi, Kiffa, Tidjikja, Aioun and Nema.
Significant deficiencies have been identified in the level of safety oversight that Mauritania gives to aircraft on its register and to the airlines that it certifies.
For more general information see River and Sea Safety.
Mauritania Airways runs flights linking Nouakchott to Nouadhibou (daily), Zouerate, Atar, Kaedi, Kiffa, Tidjikja, Aioun and Nema.
Significant deficiencies have been identified in the level of safety oversight that Mauritania gives to aircraft on its register and to the airlines that it certifies.
Sea Travel
Sailing in the port at Nouadhibou can be dangerous because of the number of shallow shipwrecks.For more general information see River and Sea Safety.
Local laws and customs
Local laws reflect the fact that Mauritania is an Islamic country. You should respect local traditions, customs, laws and religions at all times and be aware of your actions to ensure that they do not offend other cultures or religious beliefs, especially during the holy month of Ramadan or if you intend to visit religious areas. For more general information see Travelling During Ramadan.
You should respect Mauritanian laws and regulations. It is considerate to dress modestly. Sale and consumption of alcohol is against the law, although some restaurants do serve it. Police sometimes object to photography without prior permission.
It is highly advisable to carry ID, especially when travelling outside Nouakchott (where you may encounter many police road checks). You are also advised to comply promptly with directions from the police and other Mauritanian security forces, and to carry copies of your personal identity papers (passport) with you at all times.
Homosexuality remains a punishable offence in Mauritania.
Drugs laws are severe. Those found in the possession of any illegal drug may receive a prison sentence.
For more general information for different types of travellers see Your trip.
You should respect Mauritanian laws and regulations. It is considerate to dress modestly. Sale and consumption of alcohol is against the law, although some restaurants do serve it. Police sometimes object to photography without prior permission.
It is highly advisable to carry ID, especially when travelling outside Nouakchott (where you may encounter many police road checks). You are also advised to comply promptly with directions from the police and other Mauritanian security forces, and to carry copies of your personal identity papers (passport) with you at all times.
Homosexuality remains a punishable offence in Mauritania.
Drugs laws are severe. Those found in the possession of any illegal drug may receive a prison sentence.
For more general information for different types of travellers see Your trip.
Entry requirements
Visas
Visas are required for entry to Mauritania. They should be obtained prior to travel from the Mauritanian Consulate General in Paris, 89, rue de Cherche-Midi, 75006 Paris, Tel +33 1 45 48 23 88, Fax +33 1 45 44 72 42. Open Monday - Thursday 1000 - 1300.Passport validity
The minimum passport validity for entry to Mauritania is three months.Travelling with children
Single parents or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country. For further information on exactly what will be required at immigration please contact the Mauritanian Embassy in Paris at: ambassade.mauritanie@wanadoo.fr.Health
Medical facilities are extremely limited, particularly outside Nouakchott and Nouadhibou, where lack of communications makes dealing with an emergency very difficult. Clinics in Nouakchott and Nouadhibou charge for medical care (sometimes in Euros or US dollars), and may not accept foreign insurance cards. You should ensure that your insurance covers medical repatriation by air ambulance.The weather can be very hot and dry. Fluid intake should be kept high, making sure enough salts are included.
In the 2008 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 14,000 adults aged 15 or over in Mauritania were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at around 0.8% of the adult population. This compares to the prevalence rate in adults in the UK of around 0.2%. You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.
You should seek medical advice before travelling to Mauritania and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date. For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the National Travel Heath Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) and NHS Scotland's Fit For Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.
For more general health information see Travel Health and Swine flu.
General
Insurance
We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. Your insurance should also cover you for medical repatriation by air ambulance. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. For more general information see Travel Insurance.If things do go wrong when you are oversees then this is How We Can Help.
Registration
Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency.More about registering with LOCATE
Representation in Mauritania
There is no British Embassy in Mauritania. The British Ambassador in Rabat, Morocco is accredited to Mauritania. There is a British Honorary Consul in Nouakchott, Mr Sid'Ahmed Ould Abeidna. If you decide to travel to Mauritania, you should endeavour to register with the Honorary Consul.Contact details of the British Honorary Consulate are as follows:
Mr Sid’ Ahmed Ould Abeidna:
Tel: +222 525 8331
Mob: +222 630 1217/+33 6800 19567
Fax: +222 525 3903
Honorary Consul is authorised to issue emergency passports in Mauritania.
Honorary Consul is authorised to issue emergency passports in Mauritania.
Money
Local currency (Ouguiya) is not convertible and may not be exported. US Dollars or (preferably) Euros can be changed for Ouguiyas at banks, some hotels and official Bureaux de Change. The rate for Sterling is very poor. Credit cards can be used at a few hotels in Nouakchott and Nouadhibou. ATMs do not accept foreign credit or debit cards.
