Mauritania
Summary
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advises against all travel to:
- areas east of a line drawn between but excluding the towns of Kankossa in Guidimaka, Tichit in Tagant, Ghallaouia in Tiris Zemmour and then west to the border with Western Sahara (except for the town of Zouerat in Tiris Zemmour).
- all areas within 25km of the Western Sahara border (except the section of the Nouakchott - Nouadhibou road that is within 25km of the Western Sahara border and the city of Nouadhibou)
- the remainder of the Ras Nouadhibou peninsula
The FCDO advises against all but essential travel to:
- the remainder of the provinces of Tiris Zemmour, Adrar, Tagant, Hodh el Gharbi, Assab and Guidimaka (i.e. those areas west of the line drawn between the towns of Ghallaouia, Tichit, and Kankossa)
- the section of the Nouakchott - Nouadhibou road that is within 25km of the Western Sahara border and the city of Nouadhibou
- the town of Zouerat in Tiris Zemmour
COVID-19 entry restrictions for Mauritania
Before you travel, check the ‘Entry requirements’ section for Mauritania’s current entry restrictions and requirements. These may change with little warning. Monitor this advice for the latest updates and stay in contact with your travel provider.
Travelling from and returning to the UK
Check what you must do to travel abroad and return to England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.
If you plan to pass through another country to return to the UK, check the travel advice for the country you’re transiting.
ItIf you’re planning travel to Mauritania, find out what you need to know about coronavirus there in the Coronavirus section.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, it is more important than ever to get travel insurance and check it provides sufficient cover. See the FCDO’s guidance on foreign travel insurance.
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Terrorists are likely to try to carry out attacks in Mauritania, including kidnapping. You should be especially vigilant in public places and monitor local media. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreigners. See Terrorism
Consular support in Mauritania is severely limited as the British Embassy in Nouakchott cannot provide consular services in person. British nationals in Mauritania requiring consular assistance should phone the British Embassy in Dakar on +221 33 823 73 92. If you cannot reach us on this number, call +44 1908 516666 (if abroad) or 020 7 008 5000 (if in the UK). Consular officers are available 24/7 to assist with your enquiries.
Update history
2025-01-24 14:57
Additional information about the introduction of e-visas to enter Mauritania (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2025-01-03 11:35
New information about the introduction of e-visas to enter Mauritania from 5 January 2025 (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2024-12-10 13:27
FCDO now advises against all travel to 25km from the Malian border and all but essential travel to 25km from the Western Sahara border and parts of Tiris Zemmour, Adrar, Tagant and Gorgol, and no longer advises against travel to parts of Tagant, Adrar, Gorgol and Dakhlet Nouadhibou (‘Warnings and insurance’ and ‘Regional risks’ pages).
2024-08-02 14:47
Removal of information about the presidential election on 29 June (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-06-10 10:54
Information about the presidential election on 29 June (see ‘Political situation’ on the ‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-03-11 14:51
This travel advice has been rewritten to make it easier to read and understand.
2023-06-22 11:10
Information about the global terrorism risks to British nationals abroad on all FCDO travel advice pages.
2023-04-03 11:19
Travellers arriving into Mauritania are no longer required to present a negative PCR test and/or proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (‘Coronavirus’ and ‘Entry Requirements’ pages).
2023-03-13 09:41
Removal of information about the 5 March security incident in Nouakchott (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2023-03-08 12:22
Updated information on security incident in Nouakchott on 5 March 2023 (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2023-03-06 11:23
Information on security incident in Nouakchott, 5 March 2023 (‘Summary’, ‘Safety and security’ pages)
2022-10-19 10:26
Updated information on terrorism (‘Terrorism’ page).
2022-04-11 15:19
Updated information on entry requirements to Mauritania in relation to COVID-19 (requirement to show proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours before arrival) (‘Entry requirements’ and ‘Coronavirus’ pages)