The Islamic Republic Mauritania

GENERAL INFORMATION
VIDEO COMPILATION
PHOTO GALLERY

1. GENERAL INFORMATION

Mauritania is one of West Africa’s most fascinating and least-visited destinations. Most overlanders use it as a transit country to Senegal. Stretching from the Atlantic Ocean deep into the Sahara Desert, this vast country offers amazing desert landscapes, rich nomadic traditions, ancient trading towns, and a unique blend of Arab and African cultures. Bordered by Western Sahara, Algeria, Mali, Senegal, and the Atlantic Ocean, Mauritania covers over one million square kilometres, but sparsely populated.

The capital city, Nouakchott, sits along the Atlantic coast and serves as the country’s political, economic, and cultural centre. Arabic is the official language, although French is widely spoken, and Islam is the predominant religion. Much of the country’s landscape consists of endless sand dunes, rocky plateaus, and desert plains, with the mighty Sahara dominating the northern and central/Eastern regions.

Mauritania has a long history as a crossroads for trans-Saharan trade. Ancient caravan cities such as Chinguetti, Ouadane, Tichitt, and Oualata are UNESCO World Heritage Sites and remain remarkable reminders of the country’s historic importance in Islamic scholarship and commerce. Overlanders are also drawn to the spectacular Richat Structure, often called the “Eye of the Sahara,” one of the world’s most unusual geological formations.

Mauritania appeals to adventurous overlanders seeking authentic desert experiences, visiting centuries-old desert libraries, visiting colourful fishing ports, and travelling next to the famous Mauritania Iron Ore Train. National park enthusiasts can also visit Banc d’Arguin National Park.

Mauritania is closely associated with the legendary Dakar Rally. Although today’s Dakar Rally is held in Saudi Arabia, the original Paris-Dakar Rally passed through Mauritania for many years and became one of the country’s defining international events. The vast dunes, rocky desert terrain, and challenging off-road conditions made Mauritania one of the rally’s toughest and most iconic stages. Security concerns in the Sahel eventually led to the cancellation of the 2008 event and the rally’s relocation away from Africa to South America before being relocated to Saudi Arabia in 2010.

Mauritania is at its most captivating when the paved roads disappear. Far from the main routes, remote tracks cross enormous empty landscapes, linking tiny villages, nomadic camps and isolated oases.

In the far south-east, around Hodh Ech Chargui and towards the Malian frontier, the landscape gradually changes from desert into Sahel. Acacia trees, seasonal grasslands and small rural settlements appear between long stretches of open country. Places such as Bassiknou and the villages around Néma offer glimpses of pastoral life that few visitors experience.

Further north and north-east, the character becomes unmistakably Saharan. Across the Adrar plateau, rough pistes wind through dry wadis, rocky escarpments, dunes and palm-filled valleys. Some tracks are barely visible, and routes can change with sand and weather conditions. The real reward is not simply reaching a destination. It is stopping in a remote village, sharing tea beneath an acacia, meeting families living far from the cities, and watching the landscape stretch endlessly towards the horizon.

While security has improved significantly compared to our visit, some remote regions still have some restrictions due to terrorism risks, organised crime, and instability in neighbouring countries. During our visit the border to Algeria was closed*1 and we were told to leave the region, Border arrangements can change with little notice, particularly in remote Saharan regions near the Mali border on the East and south side of Mauritania, do close without warning as we experienced but were allowd to enter 2 days later. Just look at it as part of overlanding around the world.

*1 some are reporting the border is open again? (2026)

Political demonstrations occasionally occur in Mauritania, particularly following elections or during periods of political tension. Although most daily life continues peacefully, protests can arise in major cities.

Despite these considerations, Mauritania remains an great overland destination so close to Europe, for experienced overlanders seeking remote desert landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and desert adventures. With careful planning, respect for local customs, and attention to current security advice, overlanders can experience a truly off-the-beaten-path destinations only a few days drive from Europe.