"Mauritania - The Land of the Moors" Top 5 Page for this destination Mauritania by johnsakura

Mauritania Travel Guide: 753 reviews and 1,407 photos

Desert tracks from Zouerat to Bir Moghrein

Mauritania is for many people on the list of the most dramatic country of West Africa and one of the few ones remaining with a medieval lifestyle. 3/4 of the country is inside the Sahara Desert and you'll find sand all over, all over the city streets and after a while, all over you..
Besides many of good things about the country, there are other that will make your stay not so pleasent: poverty, opportunisms, racial conflicts, garbage and worldwide mafia.

I entered Mauritania 4 times already and made the following routes:
December 2003
Nouadhibou
El Mamghar
Nouakchott
Rosso
January 2004 (I went out to Morocco spend a few days in Dakhla and came back down to NDB):
Nouadhibou
March/April 2004 1st entrance:
Nouadhibou
Nouakchott
Akjoujt
Terjit
Atar
Chinguetti
Rosso
April 2004 (2nd entrance after I came back from Senegal and Gambia):
Rosso
Nouakchott
Atar
Choum
Fderik
Zouerat
Touajil
Bir Moghrein

To go direct to my pages on Mauritania:

Ancient Ksour of Chinguetti, 12th century

Nouadhibou-Mafia Port
Cansado Bay and its Ship cemetery
Bir Moghrein Northen Border with Morocco and Algeria
Terjit Water Spring Oasis
Zouerat the town of the Iron Mountains
Fderik military outpost
Banc D'Arguin National Park-UNESCO World Heritage
Chinguetti-UNESCO World Heritage
El Manghar-Fishermen's village in Banc D'Arguin National Park
Nouakchott-Country's Capital
Rosso and Diawling National Park-Senegalese border
Atar town
Akjoujt
Region of Inchiri
Region de Tiris Zemmour
Region of Dakhlet Nouadhibou and Cap Blanc
Region de Trarza
Region de Adrar

Saudi Mosque in Nouakchott

Mauritania is an independent republic which lies mainly in the Sahara Desert belt on the on the bulge of Africa and forms part of the West African Region. The capital city and major port is Nouakchott. Other major towns are Kaedi and Zouerate and the port of Nouadhibou.

The official languages are French and Arabic. The local currency is the Ouguiya (UM).

At the present time there are no clear-cut rules on visas to Mauritania. But French, Italians, and West Africans can enter without one. Everyone else will have to experience a system not too accustomed with issuing visas. Applying is best done from home, but can theoretically be done in all embassies (which are few, and only in large countries, and in Mauritania's neighbouring countries). Time used for issuing, price, rules of calculating price (per entry, or per days in the country), validity of the visa, are decided just as much on your charm as on your nationality. Either the way you can enter with a 50 euros bank note if you go by land. Policemen always try to get something out of you. So also expect to pay for your car to enter or go out.

Almost all my info on my Mauritanian pages was taken from the internet on which I want to report I've taken the info from. I'm very thankful on the people that made my research possible. It's possible that I've used that info and put it exaclty like it was on the original site and some I?ve changed to my better compreension.

Sites I've taken info from:
http://lexicorient.com/mauritania/nouakch.htm
http://lexicorient.com/mauritania/rosso.htm
http://lexicorient.com/mauritania/nouadhib.htm
http://whc.unesco.org/sites/506.htm
http://www.afrol.com/Countries/Mauritania/backgr_Imraguen.htm
http://srdis.ciesin.columbia.edu/cases/mauritania-002.html
http://perso.wanadoo.fr/christophe.jaunet/ste/diawling.htm

Last visit to Mauritania: Apr 2004
Intro Updated Oct 16, 2007
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Reviews (52)

army western sahara gueltat zemmour mauritania - Mauritania

Gueltat Zemmour ->To Layoune Off The Beaten Path (17)

We got permission and headed to Gueltat Zemmour with army 4x4 on the front of us. Due to much sand also in this part (no... more travel advice

Le Mure” -> Way to Gueltat Zemmour - Mauritania

“Le Mure” -> Way to Gueltat Zemmour Off The Beaten Path (17)

You get to the wall and you have to deliver your passport to the Moroccan authorities. You stay under Moroccan army... more travel advice

ueltat zemmour sahara mauritania bir moghrein - Mauritania

Fortress on the border -> “Le Mure"... Off The Beaten Path (17)

Fortress on the border with Western Sahara -> “Le Mure” NO Man’s LAND. BE careful be careful be careful. mines,... more travel advice

Bir Moghrein -> gueltat zemmour mines mauritania - Mauritania

Bir Moghrein -> Fortress on the... Off The Beaten Path (17)

Bir Moghrein -> Fortress on the border with Western Sahara (on Michelin Map it’s the star) We had to make 96km until... more travel advice

Tourist Traps (3)
See All Don't bring dollars
Restaurants (1)
Senegalese restaurants
Hotels (4)
See All Menata-Nouakchott
Things to Do (21)
See All Bir Moghrein

Transportation (3)
See All The world longest train...
Favorites (2)
See All Politics
Local Customs (1)
Fishing in Mauritania
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Comments (23)

doma Feb 23, 2009 at 11:52 AM Report Abuse

Since 2005 exists a paved road from Nouadhibou to Nouakchott. the train connects Nouadhibou-Choum-Zouerate In 2007 there were also coaches for public transport from Nouadhibou to Nouakchott and back
desert_princess Mar 18, 2008 at 3:37 PM Report Abuse

the only thing I associate Mauritania is those big colorful beads made of glass, with small flowers in all the colors. They were quite expensive , I remember , as I never got one...
zlatiq Jul 12, 2006 at 7:27 PM Report Abuse

interesting perspective on an interesting country:)
wcph Aug 2, 2005 at 4:59 PM Report Abuse

A wonderful page on a off the beaten path destination.
montecanelas Jul 1, 2005 at 3:37 PM Report Abuse

wow...
kultura Feb 10, 2005 at 8:50 PM Report Abuse

uff, im even tired of reading...it seems a very hard country this one! hope to get there next winter 05! bye
bruingirl Dec 25, 2004 at 6:26 PM Report Abuse

I just started reading your info on Mauritania....very useful! My younger bro is going there for the next year so I'm trying to read up on this country that no one seems to know! :)
sachara Oct 3, 2004 at 12:40 PM Report Abuse

Interesting and informative page !! Thanks, I will go there next month, so I will read your Mauritanian pages again.
keeweechic Jul 9, 2004 at 8:24 PM Report Abuse

Very helpful information. I am really interested in visiting one day - a good friend is currently living there. You have given me a great insight.
najamrulz Jun 14, 2004 at 12:35 PM Report Abuse

It was pleasure your very well written pages with some really great tips n pics. Keep up the good work. Greetings from Islamabad...