Mauritania

Mauritania is mostly Sahara: vast dune seas, the ancient caravan-route towns of Chinguetti and Ouadane with their weathered stone libraries of centuries-old manuscripts, and the extraordinary Richat Structure, a bullseye-shaped geological formation visible from space. The Atlantic coast at Nouadhibou draws birdwatchers to the Banc d'Arguin's vast wetlands. Travel here is rugged and infrastructure-light, suited to those drawn to genuine desert remoteness rather than polished tourism.

Why go thereDeserts Culture & heritage Nature & landscapes Ancient ruins Indigenous cultures Beaches Wildlife Road trips Rural traditions

Main destinations

Food & drink to try

Thieboudienne

Fish and rice with tomato and vegetables, shared from one dish on the floor.

Mechoui

Whole lamb roasted over embers or in a sand pit for celebrations.

Couscous

Steamed semolina with camel or lamb and a vegetable broth.

Main destinations

Other destinations

Comfort in January · by notability

Food & drink to try

Thieboudienne

Fish and rice with tomato and vegetables, shared from one dish on the floor.

Mechoui

Whole lamb roasted over embers or in a sand pit for celebrations.

Couscous

Steamed semolina with camel or lamb and a vegetable broth.

Marou we lehem

Rice with meat and vegetables cooked in one pot, the daily family meal.

Lakh

Millet couscous with curdled milk and sugar, eaten from a communal bowl.

Camel meat

Camel grilled or stewed, leaner than beef and central to nomadic cooking.

Tichtar

Meat cut in strips and dried in the desert sun, then cooked with grain.

Zrig

Camel milk with sugar and water, drunk cold from a shared bowl.

Dates

Dates from the oases of the Adrar, harvested in the guetna season in summer.

Ataï

Three rounds of foamed green tea, bitter to sweet, taking an hour to serve.

Entry & health

Set your passport

gov.uk power-plugs-sockets.com en.wikipedia.org

Advisory only — AI + web search, may be out of date. Confirm official sources before you travel.

Tipping & local customs

Tipping is not deeply ingrained and rarely included automatically in the bill, but rounding up or leaving roughly 5-10% at restaurants in Nouakchott and tourist areas is appreciated; small tips for taxi drivers and guides are welcomed but not obligatory.

Dress modestly — men should avoid shorts and women should cover shoulders/knees or wear a headscarf, reflecting the country's conservative Islamic customs
Avoid public displays of affection and keep your voice down; loud arguing in public is frowned upon
Always ask permission before photographing people, and be especially cautious photographing religious sites or ceremonies
Adultery and extra-marital sexual relations are illegal under Mauritanian law and can carry strict penalties
It is illegal to import alcohol, firearms, or pork products into the country
During Ramadan, refrain from eating, drinking, or smoking in public between sunrise and sunset

Advisory only — AI + web search, may be out of date. Confirm official sources before you travel.

Before you go

Stay connected

Get an eSIM for Mauritania — mobile data the moment you land.

via Airalo

Travel insurance

Cover trip cancellation, medical care and delays.

via EKTA