Region
Saharan Mauritania
First trip: 4–5 nights in the Adrar (Atar, Chinguetti, Ouadane, Terjit) with a licensed guide and driver; add Banc d'Arguin or the iron-ore train only as extra days.
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Key facts · Mauritania
- Currency
- Ouguiya, about 38–42 per US$
- Language
- Arabic official
- Plugs
- C · E · 220 V
- Time zone
- UTC+0 all year
Rules in force · 7Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Carry an original yellow fever vaccination certificate on…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- West Africa ↗Carry an original yellow fever vaccination certificate on any West African trip: several countries on the coast road demand it of every arrival, and the rest demand it after you have passed through a neighbour.
- West Africa ↗Cross land borders and drive between cities in daylight only; plan each crossing as a full travel day with cash for fees and passport copies for checkpoints.
- Mauritania ↗Apply for the e-visa on the official ANRPTS portal and print the approval; visas on arrival ended in January 2025 and the fee is paid in cash at the airport.
- Mauritania ↗Travel advice differs by region: check your own government's advice for each area on your route, especially in the east and near the Mali border.
- Mauritania ↗Alcohol is prohibited; do not import or carry it.
Saharan Mauritania is dominated by vast dunes and remote oases. Base in Atar for 2–3 nights; use it as a hub for day‑trips to Chinguetti, Ouadane and Terjit. A licensed guide/driver is recommended for most desert routes (check).
Where to sleep
Sleep base
Day trip
- OuadaneGuide: planned
UNESCO ksar and nearby Richat Structure; 2½‑hour drive.
Page planned: listed so the region plan is complete.
Plan the nights
How to split the nights, day-trips and what to do with your bags
Open Plan the nightsClose Plan the nights3 partsNights · Day-trips · Bags
Night sequences
- 4 nights
- Atar 3 nights, day‑trips to Chinguetti, Ouadane, Terjit
- 6 nights
- Atar 4 nights, add extra night in Chinguetti or Ouadane
- Long distances on unpaved roads; travel time can double in sandstorms.
- Extreme daytime heat May‑July; carry ample water and sun protection.
- Border checkpoints may require permits; keep travel documents handy.
Day-trips door to door
| To | From | Door-to-door p50 | Last return | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chinguetti | Atar | min | check | Roads unpaved; travel in early morning to avoid heat. Drive time check. |
| Ouadane | Atar | min | check | Drive time check. Sandstorms possible. |
| Terjit | Atar | min | check | Short drive; visit oasis springs before midday. Drive time check. |
Bags between cities
Luggage forwarding between desert towns is uncommon; plan to carry all gear with you.
When to go
Months and weather
Open When to goClose When to go2 partsSeasons · Climate
Seasons at a glance
Pick a month to see where to go.
Show all 12 months, country by countryHide the 12-month table
| Country | JJan | FFeb | MMar | AApr | MMay | JJun | JJul | AAug | SSep | OOct | NNov | DDec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atar | go | go | ok | ok | ok | × | × | × | ok | ok | go | go |
| Chinguetti | go | go | ok | ok | ok | × | × | × | ok | ok | go | go |
| Terjit | go | go | ok | ok | ok | ok | × | × | ok | ok | go | go |
| Mauritania (country-wide) | go | go | ok | ok | × | × | × | × | × | ok | go | go |
Computed from each country’s own data; hover a country name for the source. Advisory countries are left out.
Climate strip
| Zone | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saharan interiorNorthern two‑thirds of Mauritania | cool | cool | warm | hot | hot | extreme | extreme | extreme | extreme | warm | cool | cool |
- Saharan interior
- Diurnal swing 0 °C (32 °F) night to 38 °C (100 °F) day in Dec‑Jan; 16 °C (61 °F) to >49 °C (120 °F) in May‑Jul. Harmattan sandstorms common year‑round.Diurnal swing 32 °F (0 °C) night to 100 °F (38 °C) day in Dec‑Jan; 61 °F (16 °C) to >120 °F (49 °C) in May‑Jul. Harmattan sandstorms common year‑round.
Rain falls mainly in the hivernage (July‑Sept); some years see no rain at all.
Eat and move on
Regional food and where to go next
Open Eat and move onClose Eat and move on1 partGo next
Go next
Nouakchott and the coast
1–2 nights
Capital base; fish market and beaches
Adrar
planned3–5 nights
Atar, Chinguetti and Ouadane (old ksour, libraries), Terjit oasis, dunes
Banc d'Arguin and Nouadhibou
planned2–3 nights
Banc d'Arguin National Park birdlife; Nouadhibou and the iron-ore train
Saharan Mauritania: what we know, and what is coming
3 of 4 places open
On this page
- 4 places with their role: where to sleep, what to do as a day trip
- How to split 4 or 6 nights
- 3 day trips with door-to-door time
- Seasons month by month, from the cities’ own tables
- What to do with the big bag between beds
Coming as the guide grows
- Get in: airports and stations with door-to-door times
- Regional passes and cards, with a buy / skip verdict
- Regional food: what, where and when it works
- A page for Ouadane — UNESCO ksar and nearby Richat Structure; 2½‑hour drive.
Meanwhile
Planning aids
Built from this guide's own data
Open Planning aidsClose Planning aids2 partsIn numbers · Going in…
Region in numbers
- Where to sleep
- 1 base
- Nights suggested
- 4–6 nights
- Best months
- No month rated best
Going in…
Pick a month for the weather in each zone of the region, plus the country-wide rating and holidays.
Pick a month.
Deep dive
Photos, reading and every source
Open Deep diveClose Deep dive1 partSources
Sources
Ask about Saharan Mauritania
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