Mauritania’s national airline is Air Mauritanie (MR). Air France operates weekly flights from London to Nouakchott via Paris. Other airlines serving Mauritania include Air Algerie, Delta Air Lines, Royal Air Maroc and Tunis Air.

From Nouakchott to London is seven hours (via Paris).

Nouakchott (NKC) is 5km (3 miles) east of the city (travel time – 20 minutes). Taxis are available. Facilities include shops and restaurants.
Nouâdhibou (NDB) is 4km (2.5 miles) from the city. Taxis are available.

MRO560 for those departing for countries in Africa. MRO860 for all other countries.

The principal port is Nouadhibou and there is a small port at Nouakchott, while St Louis in Senegal also serves Mauritania.

The most reliable way into Mauritania overland is from Senegal. From Dakar, the journey to Nouakchott is along a 575km- (360 mile-) tarred road (travel time – approximately eight hours). The River Senegal has to be crossed by ferry at Rosso. A service operates daily 0730-1200 and 1500-1800. There is also a paved road from Mali. Travellers intending to drive into Mauritania from the north should contact the nearest Mauritanian diplomatic mission for an assessment of political conditions in the Western Sahara; the Route de Mauritanie via Algeria and Senegal is out of service. The border with Algeria is currently closed.

Air Mauritanie (MR) operates internal flights between Nouakchott and Atâr, Nouâdhibou (daily), Ayoûn el Atroûs, Tidjikja, Kaédi, Néma and Zouérat. It is possible to charter light aircraft.

MRO270.

The only line runs between Nouâdhibou and Zouérat and is provided by the national mining company, SNIM, to serve the ore mines. Services are free but booking in advance is advisable; journeys are long and arduous and not recommended.

Traffic drives on the right. There are adequate roads linking Nouakchott with Rosso in the south of the country, Néma in the southeast and Akjoujt in the north. A paved highway, namely La Route de l’Espoir, runs east from Nouakchott to Mali. All other routes are sand tracks necessitating the use of 4-wheel drive vehicles. In some regions during and after the rainy season roads may become impassable. Similarly, in the dry season tracks can be obscured by drifting sand; a guide is highly recommended, if not essential. Car hire: Available in Nouakchott, Nouâdhibou and Atâr. 4-wheel drive vehicles with a driver can be hired and are recommended, but they are expensive. Documentation: An International Driving Permit is recommended, although it is not legally required.

Travellers should never attempt any desert journey without a full set of spare parts and essential safety equipment. The Direction du Tourisme in Nouakchott, part of the Ministère du Commerce de l’Artisanat et du Tourisme, can give further information and advice on road travel (see Contact Addresses section).

Taxis are plentiful but very expensive in the towns (Nouakchott and Nouadhibou). Fares are set, not metered, and a small tip is expected.