Mauritania: Tourist & Vacation Guide

Country's codes

International phone code for Mauritania: +222

Standard ISO 3166-1:

3 letters: MRT

2 letters (internet domain): .MR

Digital country code: 478

Standard EAN-13 (country barcode): 600–605 (imported products commonly use foreign barcodes)

Olympic country code: MTN

FIFA code: MTN

🇲🇷 Mauritania Travel Guide

🇲🇷 Mauritania is where the Atlantic Ocean meets the vast Sahara. From ancient caravan towns and desert oases to wild Atlantic shores and bird‑rich wetlands, it offers a raw, off‑the‑beaten‑path adventure for travelers who love wide horizons and silence.

🌍 RegionWest Africa (Sahel & Atlantic coast)

⭐ Famous forSahara dunes, caravan cities, nomadic culture, Atlantic fisheries

📅 Best time to visitNovember – March (cooler, more comfortable desert climate)

💰 CurrencyOuguiya (MRU)

  ✨ Why visit Mauritania?

  Mauritania offers endless sand seas, UNESCO‑listed caravan towns, and a strong nomadic heritage. Ride a 4x4 across golden dunes, camp under star‑filled skies, visit oasis villages, and experience a country where the desert still shapes daily life.

Top Attractions in Mauritania

🏜️ Chinguetti & the Ancient Ksour

One of the historic caravan towns of the Sahara, famous for its stone architecture and ancient manuscript libraries.

🌊 Banc d’Arguin National Park

A UNESCO World Heritage coastal park with sandbanks, wetlands, and millions of migratory birds along the Atlantic.

🏞️ Terjit Oasis

A lush palm‑filled canyon oasis near Atar, with natural pools and shade that feels magical after the open desert.

🐟 Nouakchott Fish Market & Beach

Watch colorful pirogues land on the beach with the day’s catch and experience the energy of Mauritania’s Atlantic coast.

Best Places to Visit

🏙️ Nouakchott – Sprawling capital on the Atlantic with markets, mosques, and a busy fishing port.
🏜️ Atar & Adrar Region – Gateway to dunes, canyons, and historic ksour like Chinguetti and Ouadane.
🌴 Terjit & Oasis Villages – Palm groves, springs, and traditional Saharan life.
🌊 Banc d’Arguin Coast – Remote beaches, birdwatching, and Imraguen fishing communities.
🚂 Zouérat & the Iron Ore Train Route – Stark desert landscapes and one of the world’s longest freight trains.

  💡 Travel Tip: Distances are long and services sparse — plan fuel, water, and daylight carefully, and consider traveling with a local guide or organized tour for remote desert routes.

Things to Do in Mauritania

Camp under the stars in the Sahara and experience traditional tea ceremonies with local hosts.
Explore the narrow alleys and stone houses of Chinguetti, Ouadane, or Tichitt.
Visit Banc d’Arguin for birdwatching and to see traditional sail‑powered fishing.
Relax in the shade and natural pools of Terjit or other desert oases.
Walk the beaches near Nouakchott at sunset and watch the fishing boats return.

🍽️ Local Experience: Try Mauritanian dishes like thieboudienne (rice with fish), mechoui (slow‑roasted lamb), and sweet mint tea poured from height into small glasses.

Travel Tips for Visitors

☀️ Daytime heat can be intense, especially inland — light, breathable clothing and sun protection are essential.
🚙 Many routes require a 4x4 vehicle; check road conditions and security advice before long desert drives.
🧕 Mauritania is conservative and predominantly Muslim — dress modestly and respect local customs, especially in rural areas.
💵 Cash is still important outside major cities; ATMs are mostly found in Nouakchott and a few larger towns.

📌 Useful Country Information

Quick Facts

Total area: 397,955 sq mi (1,030,700 sq km)

Population (2023 est.): ~4.9 million

Capital: Nouakchott (~1.2 million)

🇲🇷 Nouakchott: Capital City Profile

Other major cities: Nouadhibou, Kiffa, Zouérat, Rosso

Currency: Ouguiya (MRU)

CurrencyRate

National name: Al-Jumhūrīyah al-Islāmīyah al-Mūrītānīyah (Islamic Republic of Mauritania)

Language: Arabic (official); Pulaar, Soninke, Wolof; French widely used

Ethnicity/race: Arab-Berber (Moors), Haratine, and Sub‑Saharan groups such as Pulaar, Soninke, and Wolof

Religions: Predominantly Sunni Muslim

National Holiday: November 28, Independence Day.

Background

🇲🇷 Mauritania sits between North and West Africa, with most of its territory covered by the Sahara. Historically, it lay on key trans‑Saharan caravan routes linking sub‑Saharan Africa with the Maghreb and Mediterranean.
🕊️ After gaining independence from France in 1960, Mauritania has navigated periods of political change while maintaining a strong Islamic and nomadic cultural identity.
🌵 Today, many Mauritanians still have close ties to pastoralism and desert life, even as cities like Nouakchott and Nouadhibou grow along the Atlantic coast.
🌍 Mauritania is a member of the African Union, the Arab League, and the Sahel G5, and plays a strategic role in the wider Sahel region.