Mauritania Travel Risk Level

Reissued after periodic review with minor edits. Reconsider travel to Mauritania due to terrorism and crime . Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory. Do Not Travel To: Areas marked off-limits by the Mauritanian military. These areas are unsafe due to security risks and terrorist activities. All areas north of the Tropic of Cancer All areas within 100 KM of the Mali and Algeria Border Country Summary: Violent crimes occur frequently outside the Tevragh Zeina neighborhoods in Nouakchott. They include mugging, armed robbery, and assault. Local police lack the resources to respond quickly and effectively to serious crimes. Transportation options and communication infrastructure are limited outside Nouakchott. little or no warning, targeting places frequented by Westerners. Terrorism Terrorist violence is a risk in Mauritania. This includes potential attacks and other activities. Visit the U.S. Department of State's country reports on terrorism to learn more. U.S. Travel Limits and Emergency Services The U.S. government can only offer limited emergency services to U.S. citizens in Mauritania. This is due to travel rules for U.S. government employees, poor infrastructure, and few health facilities, especially outside of Nouakchott. U.S. government employees can travel outside Nouakchott only during the day. They cannot walk alone outside of specific areas and times. U.S. government employees must get special permission to travel outside Nouakchott. This helps them move smoothly through security checkpoints on major roads. Read the country information page for additional information on travel to Mauritania. If you decide to travel to Mauritania: Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas . Use caution when walking or driving at night. Always carry a copy of your U.S. passport and visa (if applicable). Keep original documents in a secure location. Monitor local media for breaking events and be prepared to adjust your plans. Be aware of your sur

Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advice. Areas where FCDO advises against travel Eastern Mauritania FCDO advises against all travel to areas east of a line drawn between but excluding the towns of Kankossa, Akhreijit, Ghallaouia, Zouerat, Fderîck and onwards west to the border with Western Sahara. Mauritania-Mali border FCDO advises against all travel to areas within 25km of the Malian border in the south, including Khabou. Mauritania-Western Sahara border FCDO advises against all but essential travel to areas within 25km of the Western Sahara border, excluding the section of the Nouakchott-Nouadhibou road and the city of Nouadhibou. Tiris Zemmour, Adrar, Tagant, Hodh el Gharbi, Assaba, Gorgol and Guidimaka provinces FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the rest of the province of Tiris Zemmour, Assaba, Hodh el Gharbi, Gorgol and Guidimaka, and areas of Adrar and Tagant provinces, west of a line drawn between the towns of Ghallaouia, Akhreijit and Kankossa. This excludes: the areas west of a line running between Choum, Ouadane and where the 10th Meridian West meets latitude 18° 40° the town of Ouadane the Tidjikja-Tichit road the Aleg to Tidjikja road via Moudjeria and all areas of Tagant west of that road the Bogue to Kaedi road via Bababe Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel . UK government support The British Embassy in Nouakchott cannot provide consular services in person. British nationals in Mauritania should contact the British Embassy in Dakar, Senegal , for support. Protests There have been periodic protests in Mauritania relating to developments in the Middle East. Demonstrations can take place with little or no warning. You should: avoid all demonstrations and larger gatherings monitor local media for updates follow the advice of local authorities Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also fi