Mauritania, located in northwest Africa, offers a diverse range of stunning sceneries to explore. One of the most iconic landscapes in the country is the Sahara Desert, which covers a large portion of Mauritania. Here, visitors can witness endless …
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Mauritania
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Backpacking Mauritania in 2025
A complete guide for backpacking in Mauritania with best places to go, best time to visit, what to bring and safety advice.
Visit Mauritania
Welcome to Mauritania, a rugged beauty on the edge of the Sahara, beckoning intrepid backpackers. Pros? Immerse yourself in the vast desert landscapes, historic oases, and the nomadic culture. Mauritania offers a unique blend of tradition and adventure. However, the lack of well-established tourism infrastructure may pose challenges, and travel in remote areas demands careful planning. For the bold traveler seeking unexplored frontiers and an authentic Saharan experience, Mauritania stands out, offering a rare journey off the beaten path where every dune and ancient city tells a tale of resilience and natural beauty.
Why to go?Why backpacking in Mauritania
Scenery
Uniqueness
Exploring Mauritania is a unique and off the beaten track experience due to its vast and diverse landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and limited tourist infrastructure. The country is known for its stunning desert scenery, including the iconic sand …
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💡 HighlightsTop-5 things to do in Mauritania
- Visit the Banc d’Arguin National Park: This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a must-visit for nature lovers. It is home to a diverse range of bird species and serves as an important breeding ground for migratory birds.
- Experience the Sahara Desert: Explore the vast and mesmerizing Sahara Desert, which covers a significant portion of Mauritania. Take a camel trek or go sandboarding to immerse yourself in the stunning landscapes and experience the solitude of the desert.
- Discover the ancient city of Chinguetti: Step back in time and explore the historic city of Chinguetti, known for its well-preserved medieval architecture. Visit the ancient libraries and mosques, and soak in the rich cultural heritage of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Explore the Adrar Plateau: Embark on a journey to the Adrar Plateau, a region characterized by dramatic cliffs, deep canyons, and picturesque oases. Discover ancient rock art, hike through stunning landscapes, and witness the traditional way of life of the local communities.
- Relax at the beaches of Nouakchott: Unwind and soak up the sun at the beautiful beaches of Nouakchott, the capital city of Mauritania. Enjoy the tranquil atmosphere, take a dip in the Atlantic Ocean, and indulge in fresh seafood delicacies.
But Mauritania offers more...
🌤️ When to go?Best time to go backpacking Mauritania
The best time to visit Mauritania for backpacking is during the winter months, from November to February. During this time, the weather is cooler and more pleasant, with average temperatures ranging from 20-25 °C (68-77 °F). This is ideal for outdoor activities and exploring the country's diverse landscapes, including the Sahara Desert and the Banc d'Arguin National Park. Additionally, this period sees fewer tourists, allowing for a more authentic and immersive experience.
Risk level: high (75%)Safety advice for Mauritania
- There is a threat of terrorism in Mauritania, particularly in the eastmost regions. Terrorists could target places visited by foreigners or places connected to the Government of Mauritania. Remain vigilant and aware of your surroundings.
- There's a threat of kidnapping across the Sahel, including in Mauritania. Westerners are at a higher risk of being targeted. If you travel to Mauritania, get professional security advice. Avoid travelling to remote locations. Arrange personal security measures.
- Crime, including violent crime, continues to rise. Armed burglaries, robberies, and pickpocketing may occur on busy streets in broad daylight. Keep valuables out of sight. Pay close attention to your safety. Armed thieves often attack people in cars and beach areas. Carjackings by people smugglers may occur. Keep car doors locked and windows up, even when moving.
- Fake internet friendships, dating and marriage schemes operate in West African countries. Be wary of requests to send money or travel to Mauritania from someone you met online.
- Australian citizens who are victims of sexual assault should contact the Australian Embassy in Paris.
source: smartraveller.gov.au
source: www.gov.uk
MauritaniaMy tips to get you on the way!Does Mauritania sound like your next backpacking destination? Use these steps to get you on the way.
Get inspiration 📚
While guidebooks used to be the backpacker’s holy grail for finding accomodation, nowadays that’s more conveniently accomplished online. However, guidebooks remain an excellent resource for familiarizing oneself with the country, gaining inspiration, and discovering itineraries. I enjoy reading them before my travels and then leaving them behind at home when I embark on my journey.
While guidebooks used to be the backpacker’s holy grail for finding accomodation, nowadays that’s more conveniently accomplished online. However, guidebooks remain an excellent resource for familiarizing oneself with the country, gaining inspiration, and discovering itineraries. I enjoy reading them before my travels and then leaving them behind at home when I embark on my journey.
Prepare your trip ✅
Before embarking on your journey, several essential checks are crucial: passport, visa, vaccinations and insurance. Some countries mandate that your passport remains valid for 3 to 6 months post your return. Additionally, it is important to verify the specific visa requirements for Mauritania. These differ per country of origin. While you can handle visa arrangements independently, online visa services streamline the process as they know exactly what’s needed for each country. Mauritania may require certain vaccinations. Make sure to timely check which ones you still need. Lastly, if you don’t have a travel insurance yet, Safety Wing is a good choice as they are tailored for backpackers.
Before embarking on your journey, several essential checks are crucial: passport, visa, vaccinations and insurance. Some countries mandate that your passport remains valid for 3 to 6 months post your return. Additionally, it is important to verify the specific visa requirements for Mauritania. These differ per country of origin. While you can handle visa arrangements independently, online visa services streamline the process as they know exactly what’s needed for each country. Mauritania may require certain vaccinations. Make sure to timely check which ones you still need. Lastly, if you don’t have a travel insurance yet, Safety Wing is a good choice as they are tailored for backpackers.
Book your flight ✈️
The flight may be the most expensive part of your trip. Therefore it’s worth spending a bit of time finding the right one. Flight search engines like Skyscanner and Kayak are the best to compare all possible options. A good tip is to be flexible with your exact travel dates. Traveling one or two days earlier/later may save you some bucks. Also booking about three months in advance can help making the best deal for you (though I’m not the best one myself to follow this advice as I tend to decide last-minute). A final tip would be to check airports in neighbouring countries. Not necessarily for cost saving but it can be intriguing to journey into Mauritania, travel overland to one of its neighbours and fly back home from there.
The flight may be the most expensive part of your trip. Therefore it’s worth spending a bit of time finding the right one. Flight search engines like Skyscanner and Kayak are the best to compare all possible options. A good tip is to be flexible with your exact travel dates. Traveling one or two days earlier/later may save you some bucks. Also booking about three months in advance can help making the best deal for you (though I’m not the best one myself to follow this advice as I tend to decide last-minute). A final tip would be to check airports in neighbouring countries. Not necessarily for cost saving but it can be intriguing to journey into Mauritania, travel overland to one of its neighbours and fly back home from there.
Book your first night(s) 🛌
Depending on your travel style, you can either plan a detailed day-to-day route and pre-book your accommodations, providing peace of mind, or opt to book them spontaneously, offering greater flexibility to adjust your plan. Personally, I am a big fan of the latter approach, but I always ensure to book the first night(s) in advance.
Depending on your travel style, you can either plan a detailed day-to-day route and pre-book your accommodations, providing peace of mind, or opt to book them spontaneously, offering greater flexibility to adjust your plan. Personally, I am a big fan of the latter approach, but I always ensure to book the first night(s) in advance.
My personal packing list 🎒
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Over the years, I’ve learned the importance of packing minimally. It’s so much easier to jump on the back of a truck or squeeze yourself into the last spot of a minibus without that supersized backpack. If you’re headed to a warm destination, leave your winter jacket at home; for colder regions, opt for thin thermal underlayers. Instead of packing your entire wardrobe, bring just three sets of clothes, as laundry facilities are available everywhere.
Money & Documents
Clothing
Electronics
Health
Others
Over the years, I’ve learned the importance of packing minimally. It’s so much easier to jump on the back of a truck or squeeze yourself into the last spot of a minibus without that supersized backpack. If you’re headed to a warm destination, leave your winter jacket at home; for colder regions, opt for thin thermal underlayers. Instead of packing your entire wardrobe, bring just three sets of clothes, as laundry facilities are available everywhere.Money & Documents
Clothing
Electronics
Health
Others
Moneybelt
[Amazon]
“Best way to carry your important documents”
Quick dry pant
[Amazon]
“Nothing beats these quick dry and light pants when traveling”
Light rain jacket
[Amazon]
“Hiking in rainy season? These keep you dry”
Thermo underwear
[Amazon]
“Less weight and volume than bulky sweaters or jackets”
Quick dry towel
[Amazon]
“Normal towels get smelly and heavy when traveling”
Power bank
[Amazon]
“Pick a small and light one, with 10.000mAh or more”
Travel adapter
[Amazon]
“Needed as each country has its own electricity plugs”
Number lock
[Amazon]
“No chance of losing your key; handy for lockers in dormitories”
Packing cubes
[Amazon]
“Keep your wet or dirty clothes separate from the rest”
Travel pillow
[Amazon]
“Light and great for flights and long bus journeys”
last page update: 28 September 2024