Nouakchott - A haven for travellers. and other Mauritania Hotel/Accommodation Reviews

This is one of those places which people always give as a meeting point, whether backpackers on foot or have your own transport, just passing through or part of a rally, everyone is welcome. Olivia, the French owner is a hive of information and can help you organise anything you want to do with the help of her partner.
You have the choice of 6 bedrooms at 2000 UM (about 6 euros) or to sleep in a "khaima" a traditionnal mauritanian tent on the roof for 1500 UM (under 5 euros). Showers and w.c's are shared and there is a kitchen where you can cook your own food although the meals here are very good and cost 1000 UM, breakfast is 500 UM.
Parking in the courtyard is free.

Unique Qualities: The quality of the welcome whether staying a week or just overnight. A nice tree covered garden in the back or the moorish tent in the front for breakfast or just to sit and have a drink.
Always people to discuss "what you've done or where you've been" with, a terrific atmosphere to be sampled.

Leave a Comment

Theme: Other
Comparison: least expensive
Prices: less than US$20  » Currency Converter
Phone: 00 222 525 87 55
Address: quartier Tevragh Zeina Ilot O (rue de l'ancien Pili-pili)
Directions: lies between the avenues Charles de Gaulle and Kennedy very close to Mauritel.
Website: www.escales-mauritanie.com/menata
Other Contact: auberge.menata@voila.fr

The 2nd time I passed through Nouakchott, the Menata was full, so Olivia, the French owner suggested her other place, the Auberge Jeloua. Although quite a bit more expensive than the Menata (12000 UM, about 34.5 euros for a double room) the rooms are a lot bigger, you have hot water plus it is a lot quieter than the Menata, in a very quiet area. Well worth the extra money, and you can also use the unlimited Internet connection (please ask permission first) for free.

Unique Qualities: The legendary "niceness" of Olivia. Everone that has ever been on a road-trip through Mauritania in the last five years will vouch for this. Nothing is a problem for her, full of info and help for anything you need.

Leave a Comment

Theme: Pension/Guesthouse
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$20-40  » Currency Converter
Phone: 00 222 525 09 14
Address: quartier Tevragh Zeina
Directions: About 15 mins walk from the Auberge Menata or 3 mins in a vehicle. Turn left on avenue Charles de Gaulle until Hotel Halimi, turn left again opposite the hotel and then take the 3rd left. It is not marked so best to ask someone at the Menata to take you.
Other Contact: maison.jeloua@voila.fr

The lodging here is very basic but enough for a weary head. Thin mattress on a blanket spread directly on the sand under a khaima.. No need for a mozzie net as the ocean breezes keep them away. Mattress is 1500 UM (less than 5 euros) pp. Seems a bit expensive but the next nearest 4* hotel is 270 kms away. Tea was offered on arrival, then the owner was dispatched to Iwik village to order some fish for the evening meal. The w.c. is a hole in a small outhouse 50 metres from the tents (don't forget a torch).

Unique Qualities: The two women who came up from the village to cook for us came up with a superb meal with just a few herbs and green beans, the fish being cooked in "papillote" on an open charcoal fire. Delicious.....

Leave a Comment

Theme: Campground
Comparison: least expensive
Prices: less than US$20  » Currency Converter
Address: Iwik village
Directions: About 35 kms off-piste from the Nouadhibou - Nouakchott road. This is where a guide comes in handy.

I could never class this as recommended, but in this part of Mauritania between Nouakchott and Mali it's the only place where we found a clean sheet. The big problem is it's almost 800 km from Nouakchott and another 400-odd to Nioro in Mali, so you have to stop somewhere !!!
On top of that, in November 2007 when we passed there was construction work going on, and that started at 7 in the morning. Not really a problem as you need an early start to be sure of getting through all the formalities at the border and making it to Bamako before it gets too late.
This is also the only place you'll find to get a meal.
Rooms were at around 20 euros for 2, horribly expensive for what it is, and meals were 6.5 euros.


Leave a Comment

Theme: Hotel
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: less than US$20  » Currency Converter
Phone: 515 10 55
Directions: Right in the centre of town, just ask for the hotel.

One of the big problems with crossing the Morocco/Mauritanian border is the fact that on the Moroccan side the post closes between 13.00h - 15.00h. As it takes over 3 hours to complete all formalities on both sides, if you miss the 13.00 deadline then it is practically dark when you leave the Mauritanian post. Choices are a 90 kms round trip to Nouadhibou or 40 kms to Boulanoir which is in the right direction for Nouakchott.
The welcome at the auberge is more than friendly enough and the food is not bad but this is one of those places that you cannot help but wish it was 7 o'clock in the morning so you can get up for breakfast, the beds and rooms are that bad!!!!The carpet seems to stick to your feet, the water is almost non-existant, all bathroom appliances have a life of their own. And all this cost 20 euros for the double room!!!!
Mind you, the other place we looked at had no electricity and water was turned off at 20.00h.


Leave a Comment

Theme: Hostel
Prices: less than US$20  » Currency Converter
Phone: 00 222 679 12 25
Address: Boulanoir, Mauritania
Directions: 45 kms from the border, 200 metres before a roundabout on the NKTT road on the left is a sandy track that takes you to the auberge.

I couldn't really recommend this place to anyone, but the trouble is there's nothing else for a couple of hundred kms. and I've already tried that!!! Another place where bathroom appliances have a life of their own. At least the water was warm. I have to admit that the camel couscous was very good and filling.

Cost was 8000 UM (approx 23 euros) for a double room. Dinner was 2000 UM (under 6 euros.) All very expensive for what it is. Negotiate for what you can, 2 women that had the same type of bedroom as us paid 10000 UM because they didn't bother asking for a lower price!!! These same 2 women had been to the Auberge Saada in the afternoon, run by a women's coop and refused the room they were shown as "I wouldn't let my dog sleep in there". So, perhaps the Phare du Desert is not so bad.


Leave a Comment

Theme: Hostel
Prices: less than US$20  » Currency Converter
Phone: 00 222 644 24 21
Directions: No real address. On the right entering Kiffa coming from Nouakchott with a big sign indicating the site.
Other Contact: phareim@yahoo.fr