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Camels resting in desert with saddles and shrubs

Mauritania travel guide

Sahara dunes, Atlantic coast and desert towns for travellers who like empty spaces

Best: Jan, Feb, Nov, Dec

Photo: fj21 / Pixabay

Capital
Nouakchott
Language
Arabic
Currency
Mauritanian ouguiya
Time zone
UTC
Plugs
Type C · 220 V
Driving
On the right
Emergency
118 / 101 / 117

Why visit Mauritania

Mauritania suits independent travellers drawn to the Sahara, not beach resorts or set-menu tours. Go between November and February, when daytime heat is easier to handle across Nouakchott, Nouadhibou and inland Atar. Infrastructure is thin outside the main towns, so plan routes and fuel stops with care and expect long, rough distances between stops.

  • Travel in the cooler months

    The best months to visit are November, December, January and February. Plan your trip inside this window. Outside it, travel is less comfortable, so most independent travellers should avoid the rest of the year.

  • Space and very few people

    Mauritania covers 1030700 km² but has only 4927532 people. That is a lot of land for a small population. Expect long distances between towns and far fewer visitors than in better-known countries in Western Africa.

  • An Atlantic coast capital

    Nouakchott, the capital, sits on the coast and has 1446761 people. It is by far the largest city and the natural place to start. You can base yourself here to sort out money in Mauritanian ouguiya and plan onward travel.

  • A second city by the sea

    Nouadhibou is another coastal city, with 173525 people. It offers a smaller, quieter alternative to the capital. It is a good choice if you want to see more of the Atlantic coast without the size of Nouakchott.

  • Inland life in Atar

    Atar is an inland town of 35170 people, away from the coast. It gives you a contrast to the two seaside cities. It is best visited in the cooler months from November to February.

Is Mauritania right for you?

Great for

  • Desert travellers who want dry heat and near-zero rain almost every month of the year
  • Winter-sun seekers, since Dec-Feb highs sit around 25-27°C with lows near 12-14°C
  • Photographers who want constant sunshine, with 9.5 to 11.6 sun hours a day year-round
  • Travellers heading to coastal towns like Nouakchott and Nouadhibou for a drier, tempered desert climate
  • Visitors who plan around the cooler November to February window, the four best months listed here

Less ideal for

  • Heat-sensitive travellers in May to September, when highs reach 38-40°C and lows stay above 23°C
  • Anyone hoping for a rainy green season, since no month averages more than 1.3 rain days or 8mm of rain
  • Beach-and-swim holidaymakers, since the fact pack lists only two coastal cities and no beach or resort data
  • Travellers wanting festivals or events to plan a trip around, as none are listed for this country

Mauritania right now: November

7.9/10
Avg high
30°C
Avg low
17°C
Rain days
0

Averages for Mauritania.

Weather by month

Data is for Mauritania (likely Nouakchott), based on 2015–2024 records. December to February are the most comfortable months, with highs of 25–27°C, cool nights around 12–14°C, and almost no rain. From May through October, daytime highs climb to 38–40°C, making June, July and August the toughest months to be outside for long.

Average highs and lows in Mauritania by month January: high 25°C, low 12°C , 0 rain days . February: high 27°C, low 14°C , 0 rain days . March: high 30°C, low 16°C , 0 rain days . April: high 35°C, low 20°C , 1 rain days . May: high 38°C, low 24°C , 0 rain days . June: high 40°C, low 27°C , 0 rain days . July: high 40°C, low 28°C , 0 rain days . August: high 39°C, low 28°C , 1 rain days . September: high 38°C, low 27°C , 1 rain days . October: high 36°C, low 23°C , 1 rain days . November: high 30°C, low 17°C , 0 rain days . December: high 26°C, low 13°C , 0 rain days . 25°C 12°C JAN 0d 27°C 14°C FEB 0d 30°C 16°C MAR 0d 35°C 20°C APR 1d 38°C 24°C MAY 0d 40°C 27°C JUN 0d 40°C 28°C JUL 0d 39°C 28°C AUG 1d 38°C 27°C SEP 1d 36°C 23°C OCT 1d 30°C 17°C NOV 0d 26°C 13°C DEC 0d
Best months Other months (low–high) Nd = rain days

Mauritania (country average) · averages 2015–2024

Best time to visit Mauritania: month-by-month weather →

Sample itineraries

7 days

Coast to Desert in a Week

  1. Day 1–3

    Nouakchott

    Start in the capital, home to 1446761 people. Walk through the fishing port and markets to get a feel for daily life in Mauritania before heading inland.

  2. Day 4–5

    Atar

    Move to Atar, a town of 35170 people and the gateway to the Adrar region. Use it as a base for trips into the surrounding desert landscape.

  3. Day 6–7

    Nouadhibou

    Finish on the coast in Nouadhibou, a port city of 173525 people known for its fishing industry and ship graveyard along the shoreline.

10 days

Mauritania: Capital, Desert and Coast

  1. Day 1–4

    Nouakchott

    Spend the first days in Nouakchott, the capital with 1446761 residents. Explore its markets, mosques and the coastline where fishing boats land their catch.

  2. Day 5–7

    Atar

    Travel to Atar, population 35170, to explore the Adrar plateau. This is the main base for excursions into the desert interior.

  3. Day 8–10

    Nouadhibou

    End the trip in Nouadhibou on the Atlantic coast. With 173525 people, it is Mauritania's second-largest city and a center for its fishing fleet.

Food to try in Mauritania

Thieboudienne

A one-pot dish of rice, fish and vegetables cooked in a tomato sauce. It is popular across Mauritania and neighboring Senegal, often served as a shared family meal.

Mechoui

Whole roasted lamb or goat, slow-cooked over an open fire or in a pit. It is a centerpiece dish for celebrations and large gatherings.

Couscous

Steamed semolina grains topped with meat, usually lamb, and vegetables. It is a staple eaten across the country, often on Fridays as a family meal.

Zrig

A refreshing drink made from fermented camel or goat milk, sometimes sweetened with sugar. It is common among nomadic communities and offered as a sign of hospitality.

Mauritanian tea

Strong green tea brewed with mint and sugar, poured in three rounds that get progressively sweeter. Sharing tea is a daily social ritual across Mauritania.

Grilled fish

Fresh fish, often mullet or grouper, grilled simply with spices along the Atlantic coast. It reflects Mauritania's strong fishing tradition, especially in coastal towns like Nouadhibou.

Know before you go

  • Plugs and voltage: Mauritania uses plug type C, with 220 V power. If your devices run on a different voltage, bring a travel adapter and check your charger is compatible.
  • Driving side: Traffic drives on the right in Mauritania. Keep this in mind if you plan to rent a car or cross the border by road.
  • Emergency numbers: In an emergency, you can call 118, 101, or 117, depending on the service you need. Save these numbers before you travel, since English-speaking operators may not be available.
  • Currency: The local currency is the Mauritanian ouguiya. Carry cash for smaller purchases, as card payment infrastructure is limited outside the capital, Nouakchott.
  • Language: Arabic is the official language of Mauritania. Learning a few basic Arabic phrases can help, especially outside Nouakchott where English and French are less commonly spoken.
  • Calling code: Mauritania's international calling code is +222. Check this if you need to make calls home or arrange a local SIM card.
  • Timezone: Mauritania sits in the UTC timezone year-round, with no seasonal clock changes. This makes it easy to calculate time differences with your home country.

Mauritania: frequently asked questions

Is Mauritania good to visit in August?

No, August is one of the toughest months, scoring 3.2 out of 10. Daytime highs reach 38.9°C with lows of 27.5°C, so nights bring little relief. It's also the rainiest month of the year, though that still means just 8mm over 1.3 days.

What is the best time to visit Mauritania?

The best months are December, January, February and November. January scores highest at 10 out of 10, with a comfortable high of 24.8°C and a low of 11.6°C. These months stay dry, with under 1mm of rain and mild temperatures compared to the rest of the year.

How hot does Mauritania get in summer?

Summer in Mauritania is extreme. July is the hottest month, with an average high of 40.1°C and a low of 27.8°C. June and August are nearly as intense, both averaging close to 39°C, which is why these months score low, around 3 out of 10.

Does it rain much in Mauritania?

Rain is rare all year. Even August, the wettest month, averages only 8mm over 1.3 rain days. Most months see under 0.5 rain days and 5mm or less, meaning dry skies and high sun hours, typically 9.5 to 11.6 hours a day, are the norm year-round.

Is Mauritania good to visit in November?

Yes, November scores 7.9 out of 10 and marks the start of the cooler season. Highs average 30.2°C and lows drop to 16.7°C, a big step down from the 38°C highs of September and October. Rainfall is minimal, at just 1mm over 0.2 days.

Similar destinations

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