Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
comparison with some North African countries. It's wise to dress modestly, covering the
upper legs and arms and avoiding shorts or skimpy T-shirts.
Getting There & Away
AIR
Nouakchott, Nouâdhibou and Atâr have international airports. Nouakchott's airport
handles most traffic.
The only direct flights from Europe are through Paris, with Air France.
Mauritania Airlines flies twice a week between Nouakchott and Dakar, six times to Ba-
mako (three of which continue to Abidjan, Cotonou and Brazzaville). Senegal Airlines
flies five times a week to Dakar. For other Saharan or sub-Saharan countries, you'll have
to change in Dakar or Abidjan.
Mauritania is well connected to North Africa. Royal Air Maroc operates between Cas-
ablanca and Nouakchott five times a week, while Tunis Air connects Tunis with Nouak-
chott (three times a week). Air Algérie flies to Algiers twice a week. Mauritania Airlines
has four flights a week to Casablanca from Nouakchott, and twice weekly from Nouâdhi-
bou.
LAND
Mali
All border information is subject to security advice as to the situation in Mali.
At the time of research, the most straightforward route to Mali was from Ayoûn el-
Atroûs to Nioro. You can also cross at Néma, Timbedgha (both connecting with Nara in
Mali) and Kiffa (connecting with Nioro in Mali).
From Nouakchott, you can catch bush taxis to Néma and Ayoûn el-Atroûs. From these
places you can catch a bush taxi to Nara or Nioro. It's also possible to travel from
Sélibaby to Kayes.
If crossing into Mali, have your passport stamped by police at the first town you reach
after crossing the border. You must also clear customs, which is done in Néma or Ayoûn
el-Atroûs.
Morocco
The trans-Sahara route via Mauritania is a very popular route from North Africa into sub-
Saharan Africa. This crosses the internationally disputed territory of Western Sahara, al-
though the border itself is administered by Morocco.
