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e-VisaDesertAdventureCulture

Mauritania

The Sahara, the world's longest mineral train and Chinguetti.

Capital
Nouakchott
Currency
Ouguiya (MRU) — cash essential, cards rarely accepted
Flight from Douala
9 to 14 h from Douala (1 to 2 stops)
Time difference
GMT (1 hour behind Cameroon)

Between the Sahara and the Atlantic, Mauritania offers a raw, authentic desert adventure. Board the iron-ore train — the longest in the world — linking the Zouérat mines to the port of Nouadhibou, watch millions of migratory birds at Banc d'Arguin, and wander the medieval libraries of Chinguetti, a UNESCO-listed holy city. For a Cameroonian passport, the biometric visa is issued on arrival in Nouakchott.

Formalities

The visa, step by step

e-Visa
Allowed stay
30 days (single entry)
Cost
~60 USD (€55 payable in cash, in ouguiya, on arrival)
Processing
On arrival (on site); e-visa within a few days

How to apply

Biometric visa issued on arrival at Nouakchott-Oumtounsy international airport: present passport and supporting documents, photo and fingerprints taken on site, payment in CASH only (ouguiya). An online e-visa also exists.

Required documents

  • Passport valid 6 months
  • Round-trip ticket / proof of onward travel
  • Proof of accommodation
  • Cash to pay the visa (ouguiya)

Good to know

  • •The visa on arrival is paid ONLY in cash, in ouguiya (MRU), at the day's rate.
  • •Confirm eligibility with the Mauritanian embassy before departure, as rules change.
  • •Valid 30 days, single entry.
How much it costs

A one-week budget

Backpacker
300 000 FCFA
/ week, excl. flight
Comfort
690 000 FCFA
/ week, excl. flight

Round-trip flight from Douala / Yaoundé

390 000 FCFA–720 000 FCFA

No direct flight from Douala: usually connect via Casablanca (Royal Air Maroc), or Dakar. Allow 9 to 14 hours total.

Indicative round-trip price: it varies widely by season, layover and how early you book.

Where the money goes (backpacker estimate)

🏨168 000 FCFA
🍽️90 000 FCFA
🚕72 000 FCFA
🎟️90 000 FCFA
Hostel
5 400 FCFA–16 800 FCFA
Mid-range
39 000 FCFA–60 000 FCFA
Nice hotel
96 000 FCFA–180 000 FCFA
Tailored

Budget simulator

Comfort level
Estimated total budget
690 000 FCFA
Must-sees

What to do there

1

Banc d'Arguin

UNESCO national park: one of the world's largest migratory bird sites, viewed by pirogue.

2

Desert train

The world's longest iron-ore train (~700 km), from Zouérat to Nouadhibou, riding the open wagons.

3

Chinguetti

UNESCO holy city of the Adrar and its libraries of ancient manuscripts amid the dunes.

4

Nouakchott fish market

Pirogues returning to the beach: one of the capital's liveliest sights.

5

Adrar and Ouadane

Stone-and-dune desert, palm groves and the abandoned caravan city of Ouadane (UNESCO).

6

Eye of Africa (Richat)

Spectacular circular geological structure in the Sahara, near Ouadane.

Itinerary

One week, day by day

  1. D1

    Arrival in Nouakchott, settle in, fish market at sunset.

  2. D2

    Nouakchott: central market, national museum, Saharan crafts.

  3. D3

    Day trip to Banc d'Arguin, birdwatching by pirogue.

  4. D4

    Drive to the Adrar (Atar), bivouac in the dunes.

  5. D5

    Chinguetti: old town, manuscript libraries, dunes.

  6. D6

    Ouadane and view of the Richat (Eye of Africa).

  7. D7

    Return to Nouakchott, last shopping, return flight.

✓

Travel checklist

A printable list (or save as PDF) so you forget nothing.

Travel checklist — Mauritanie

Before you leave

What to pack

Visa sources: aeroport-nouakchott.com · diplomatie.gouv.fr

Indicative data (June 2026), reliability moyenne. Visa rules, prices and timelines change: always confirm with official sources before booking.

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