Mauritania Visa RequirementsFor United Kingdom passport holders
British citizens can obtain a visa on arrival in Mauritania at Nouakchott Oumtounsy International Airport. The visa on arrival costs approximately $60 USD and allows a stay of up to 30 days. Mauritania is West Africa's most remote desert destination: a vast Saharan country stretching from the Atlantic to the Sahel, offering extraordinary dune landscapes, ancient trans-Saharan trade route cities, and an authentic desert nomadic culture far off the tourist trail.
United Kingdom passport holders can obtain a Visa on Arrival at Mauritania ports of entry.
British citizens can obtain a Mauritania visa on arrival at Nouakchott Oumtounsy International Airport (NKC). Cost: approximately $60 USD (pay in USD cash). You will receive a 30-day tourist stamp. Ensure your British passport has at least 6 months validity. Carry passport photos (not always required but useful). A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if arriving from a yellow fever endemic country. A travel insurance certificate may be requested. The majority of visa on arrival transactions are straightforward, but delays can occur; allow 30-60 minutes at immigration.
Entry Requirements
Passport Validity
6 months beyond date of entry
Blank Pages
2 blank pages required
Multiple Entry
Single entry only
Work Permitted
No - requires work visa
Required Documents
Valid British passport (minimum 6 months validity)
Visa on arrival fee: ~$60 USD cash
Passport photos (recommended) Recommended
Yellow fever vaccination certificate (if arriving from endemic country) Recommended
Current Travel Situation
United Kingdom to Mauritania: What You Need to Know
Mauritania introduced visa on arrival for many nationalities including British citizens, simplifying access. Mauritania is a large, sparsely populated country (4.5 million people in a country the size of Egypt) with a Muslim majority and a culture shaped by Berber, Arab, and sub-Saharan African traditions. The ancient cities of Chinguetti, Ouadane, Tichitt, and Oualata (UNESCO World Heritage) were once among the most important centers of Islamic scholarship in Africa, with libraries containing thousands of ancient manuscripts. For British visitors, Mauritania is an extreme adventure destination: the Sahara Desert covers 75% of the country, camel caravan routes pass through lunar dune landscapes, and the Atlantic coast offers world-class surfing and kitesurfing. The UK Foreign Office advises caution in many parts of Mauritania due to terrorism risks in border areas.
How to Get There
No direct UK-Mauritania flights exist. Connect to Nouakchott (NKC) via Paris (Air France, direct from Paris CDG), Casablanca (Royal Air Maroc), Dakar (Air Senegal or Air France connecting Dakar-Nouakchott), or Istanbul (Turkish Airlines). Air France operates the best connection from London via Paris to Nouakchott. Total journey from London to Nouakchott is approximately 8-12 hours.
Money & Banking
Mauritania uses the Mauritanian ouguiya (MRU). Mauritania is affordable: budget $50-80 USD per day for mid-range travel. International cards are not reliably accepted outside major Nouakchott hotels, so bring sufficient USD or EUR cash. Money changers operate in Nouakchott's markets. Mauritanian food (thieboudienne fish rice, couscous, dates, camel milk) is simple and filling. Tea culture (the three-glass Mauritanian tea ceremony) is central to social interaction.
Practical Tips
Chinguetti: the 7th most holy city in Islam and one of the UNESCO ancient cities of Mauritania, with ancient Koranic manuscript libraries and extraordinary dune fields encroaching on the town. Ouadane: ancient caravanserai city, partially buried by sand. Richat Structure (Eye of the Sahara): a 50 km diameter geological formation visible from space, a dramatic landscape for 4x4 desert excursions. Banc d'Arguin National Park (UNESCO): the world's most important migratory bird breeding ground on the Atlantic coast, with 2 million birds and Imraguen fishing communities in traditional wooden pirogues. Nouakchott: the Atlantic Ocean seafront fish market (one of the world's most extraordinary open-air fish markets, an astonishing scale of activity at dawn).
Frequently Asked Questions
Do British citizens need a visa for Mauritania?
No advance visa is needed. British passport holders can obtain a visa on arrival at Nouakchott airport. Cost: approximately $60 USD cash. Ensure your passport has 6 months validity and bring USD cash for the fee.
Is Mauritania safe for British tourists?
The UK Foreign Office advises high caution for much of Mauritania due to terrorism risks from groups operating in the Sahel region (particularly near the Mali, Algeria, and Western Sahara borders). Nouakchott and the main tourist sites (Banc d'Arguin, Chinguetti) are considered relatively safe with proper planning. Always check current Foreign Office travel advice and use registered local guides for desert excursions.
What is the best way to see Mauritania's desert?
The Adrar region (Chinguetti, Ouadane) is the main tourist circuit. Hire a 4x4 and licensed guide in Atar (the main Adrar town, accessible by flight from Nouakchott on Mauritania Airlines). Desert camping trips of 3-7 days combine the ancient cities, Richat Structure, and dune landscapes. The best season is November-February (cooler temperatures -- summer heat exceeds 45°C).