Travel Smart
Honest, sourced guidance so you travel confident. Most of any country is calmer than the headlines suggest.
Safety
Countrywide advisory (Government of Canada)
Reconsider travelAvoid non-essential travel (with regional advisories) Regional advisories apply; see the source for zone-level detail.
Source: Government of Canada · Verified 2026-07-26
Nouakchott and immediate surroundings
Exercise increased cautionNouakchott is the safest zone, with reasonable security for careful visitors. Theft and robbery occur; avoid isolated areas and night travel.
Avoid: Avoid traveling alone at night, avoid demonstrations, avoid slums (Boujmaa and suburbs).
Common scams: Overcharging foreigners, fake guides, currency exchange fraud.
Source: UK FCDO · Verified 2026-07-06
Banc d'Arguin coastal region
Exercise normal precautionsThe marine reserve and coastal area are peaceful and safe. Access is via organized tours; independent travel is not practical.
Source: UK FCDO · Verified 2026-07-06
Northern Sahara (Chinguetti, Ouadane, Atar)
Reconsider travelNorthern desert regions have reported kidnapping of foreigners by armed groups. Most advisories recommend against travel unless arranged through established desert tour operators.
Avoid: Exercise extreme caution in Atar, Chinguetti, Ouadane. Avoid traveling independently in the desert.
Source: UK FCDO · Verified 2026-07-06
Southern Mauritania (Rosso, Kaedi, Kiffa)
Exercise increased cautionThe southern regions along the Senegal border are reasonably safe. Infrastructure is basic but travel is possible with local guides.
Source: UK FCDO · Verified 2026-07-06
5 zones rated separately against Government of Canada, UK FCDO. Oldest check on this page: 6 July 2026.
Emergency Contacts
Police Nationale
police
The police number published by UK FCDO, which warns that Mauritanian authorities may not answer calls to any of these lines. The number 17, which circulates widely, is not what the Foreign Office gives.
SourceProtection Civile, fire
fire
The fire number published by UK FCDO, with the same caution that calls may go unanswered.
SourceNational ambulance line
ambulance
From UK FCDO travel advice, which warns explicitly that Mauritanian authorities may not answer calls to this number. Police is 117 and fire is 118. Ambulance services are extremely limited nationwide and slow even in the capital.
SourceClinique Ibn Sina
hospital · Nouakchott
The US Embassy in Mauritania names this clinic, along with Chiva and Kissi, as one of three facilities providing limited 24-hour emergency room service in Nouakchott, while noting it is not comparable to a US emergency room. A number for it appears only on directory sites, so none is published here.
Source