Is Mauritania safe for Black travellers?
Terrorism risk in the east; documented abuses of Black African migrants
Vibe check
Essentials
- Currency
- MRU (Ouguiya)
- Language
- Arabic + French
- Best time to visit
- Nov-Feb
- Visa
- E-visa required for most nationalities.
- Health
- Yellow fever required if arriving from endemic country.
Community warnings
- FCDO advises against all travel to eastern Mauritania and the Mali border zone
- HRW (2025): security forces subjected Black African migrants to arbitrary arrest, abuse and expulsion
- Descent-based slavery of Haratine persists despite legal bans (US TIP report 2024)
Border & airport tips
Nouakchott airport basic.
Why this rating
The FCDO advises against all travel to the east and within 25km of the Mali border, and against all but essential travel to much of the rest; the US rates Mauritania Level 3 for terrorism, crime and weak health care. Human Rights Watch (2025) documented arrests, abuse and expulsions of West and Central African migrants, including racist treatment by security forces. Descent-based slavery affecting Black Haratine Mauritanians persists despite being illegal.
Official advice: US Level 3 (Aug 2026); FCDO: advise against all travel to parts, all but essential travel to other parts
Sources: gov.uk · travel.state.gov · hrw.org · 2021-2025.state.gov
Reviewed Sep 2026 · evidence: medium · editorial rating, not official travel advice.
Travelling to Mauritania?
Join SafeRoute free to share your own experience of Mauritania, post travel reports and find Travel Twins heading there. No paywall, ever.
Create a free accountThis page is an editorial summary, not an official safety rating, and conditions change. Visa and health details can change without notice. Check official advice before you travel, e.g. GOV.UK foreign travel advice or travel.state.gov.