Africa
Is Mauritania safe?
L3Reconsider travel
Is Mauritania safe?
The UK advises against all travel to the east, 25 km border zones with Mali and Western Sahara, and much of the north and south. Nouakchott and the coast are calmer but kidnap risk remains.
Key facts
- US travel advisory: Level 3: Reconsider travel, updated 2026-08-17.
- Homicide rate: 1.0 per 100,000 people (2020, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths: 25.6 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 17 · Ambulance 101 · Fire 118.
- Solo women: Conservative society; cover shoulders and knees. Solo women face harassment in markets and should avoid desert trips without a guide.
Risks, scams and laws
Main risks
- Kidnapping by armed groups near the Mali border
- Landmines and unmapped military zones in the north
- Desert driving: heat, sand and no breakdown help
Common scams
- Unofficial fixers demanding fees at checkpoints
Laws visitors break by accident
- Alcohol is banned for Muslims and hard to find; do not bring it in.
- Photographing police, military sites or airports leads to detention.
- Same-sex relations are punishable by death.
Safety by place in Mauritania
| Place | Safety |
|---|---|
| Nouakchott | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
Quick answers
Is Mauritania safe for tourists?
The UK advises against all travel to the east, 25 km border zones with Mali and Western Sahara, and much of the north and south. Nouakchott and the coast are calmer but kidnap risk remains.
Is Mauritania safe for solo female travelers?
Conservative society; cover shoulders and knees. Solo women face harassment in markets and should avoid desert trips without a guide.
What is the emergency number in Mauritania?
Police 17 · Ambulance 101 · Fire 118.
Safety by place
Sources
- World Bank: intentional homicides
- US State Department travel advisory
- UK FCDO travel advice: Mauritania
- World Bank open data
Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.