Mauritania: visa and entry rules

Mauritania's borders: every crossing point

Mauritania's land border crossings, by the neighbours it shares a border with:

With Morocco and Western Sahara: Guerguerat in the north — the only crossing in this direction and the key link in the route along the Atlantic coast.

With Senegal: Rosso, a ferry crossing over the Senegal River, and Diama over the dam. Diama is usually calmer and quicker.

With Mali: Gogui in the south-east. This direction is complicated by the situation on the Malian side.

Guerguerat is the crucial point for anyone driving from Europe to West Africa: it is the only overland passage, and whether it is working depends on the situation in Western Sahara.

Rosso is notorious for extortion: foreigners at the ferry crossing are regularly asked for unofficial payments, and that is exactly why people detour via Diama.

The main way in is Nouakchott-Oumtounsy International Airport.

Driving to Mauritania

Find out the rules on temporary import into Mauritania from customs, not from experience in a neighbouring country: the time limits and the carnet requirement do not match.

Insurance has to be local, and it is bought at the border.

An International Driving Permit is required.

Traffic police are active on the highways, and documents are checked often.

All the road traffic from Morocco passes through Guerguerat, and it is the only overland way into West Africa from the north.

Travelling to Mauritania with a pet

An international veterinary certificate is required, certified by the state veterinary service of the country you are leaving.

A rabies vaccination must be valid on the date of entry.

An import permit is obtained in advance from the veterinary service.

Confirm vaccination timings, the microchip and quarantine rules for import into Mauritania with your carrier before you buy tickets.

Overstaying your visa in Mauritania

A fine is charged for exceeding the period of your visa and is paid on departure.

You will learn the figure at the border and no sooner. Rates in Mauritania are revised and reference guides do not keep up with them: take cash and allow extra time for the exit.

Extensions are arranged in advance, before the permitted period expires.

For a serious overstay — detention and deportation at your own expense.