Foreign travel advice

Mauritania

! Warning FCDO advises against all travel to parts of Mauritania.

Warnings and insurance

Still current at:
3 10 JanuaryDecember 20252024
Updated:
3 10 JanuaryDecember 20252024
Latest update:
NewFCDO informationnow aboutadvises against all travel to 25km from the introductionMalian border and all but essential travel to 25km from the Western Sahara border and parts of e-visasTiris Zemmour, Adrar, Tagant and Gorgol, and no longer advises against travel to enterparts Mauritaniaof fromTagant, 5Adrar, JanuaryGorgol 2025and (‘EntryDakhlet requirements’Nouadhibou page).('Warnings and insurance' and 'Regional risks' pages).
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Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advice.

Areas where FCDO advises against travel 

Eastern Mauritania 

FCDO advises against all travel to areas east of a line drawn between but excluding the towns of Kankossa, Akhreijit, Ghallaouia, Zouerat, Fderîck and onwards west to the border with Western Sahara. 

Mauritania-Mali border 

FCDO advises against all travel to areas within 25km of the Malian border in the south, including Khabou.

Mauritania-Western Sahara border 

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to areas within 25km of the Western Sahara border, excluding the section of the Nouakchott-Nouadhibou road and the city of Nouadhibou.

Tiris Zemmour, Adrar, Tagant, Hodh el Gharbi, Assaba, Gorgol and Guidimaka provinces 

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the rest of the province of Tiris Zemmour, Assaba, Hodh el Gharbi, Gorgol and Guidimaka, and areas of Adrar and Tagant provinces, west of a line drawn between the towns of Ghallaouia, Akhreijit and Kankossa. This excludes:  

  • the areas west of a line running between Choum, Ouadane and where the 10th Meridian West meets latitude 18° 40° 

  • the town of Ouadane 

  • the Tidjikja-Tichit road 

  • the Aleg to Tidjikja road via Moudjeria and all areas of Tagant west of that road 

  • the Bogue to Kaedi road via Bababe

Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel.

UK government support

The British Embassy in Nouakchott cannot provide consular services in person. British nationals in Mauritania should contact the British Embassy in Dakar, Senegal, for support.

Before you travel

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: 

Travel insurance

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.

About FCDO travel advice

FCDO provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.

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