All country guides
- Capital
- Nouakchott (NKC)
- Dialing Code
- + 222
- Time Zone
- No UTC/GMT offset
- Language
- Arabic
- Best Time to Go
- December - March
- Currency
- Mauritanian Ouguiya (MRO)
Travel Tips
- Pulaar, Soninke, French and Wolof are also spoken
- All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated, milk is unpasteurised
- As a predominately Islamic country, dress should always be conservative: men should wear long pants, and women should keep their arms and leg covered. Respect to religious customs should also be shown during the month of Ramadan
- There are very few ATM’s
- Check the local political situation before finalising travel plans
Last updated 20 October 2026
Visa Guide
Foreign Representation in South Africa
Embassy of Mauritania
Lord Charles Office Park, Block B, Ground Floor. 337 Brooklyn Road
Telephone: 012 362 3578/2573
E-mail: pretoriamauritaniaembassy@gmail.com
Honorary Consulate in Cape Town
“STC” 8 Riebeek Street, Cape Town
Telephone: +27 (0) 68 899 0218
E-mail: mauritaniacpt@outlook.com
Public Holidays
2026
January: 1
March: 20
May: 1, 25, 27
June: 17
August: 26
November: 28
Visa Requirements
Visas are required by South African Passport Holders
- Visas must be applied for online at: anrpts.gov.mr
As part of the online application, you will be required to enter:
- Full name
- Date and place of birth
- Nationality
- Profession
- Email address
- Phone number
- Purpose of stay (tourism, business, family, medical, cultural/sports, or other)
- Date of arrival in Mauritania
- Desired number of entries (single, double, or multiple)
- Passport details (number, type, issue date, expiration date, etc.)
The following documents must be uploaded:
- A passport-style photo
- A scanned copy of the passport valid for at least 6 months
The visa approval must be printed
Entry Requirements
- Passport with at least 6 months validity
- Visa approval document with QR Code
- Payment for visa
Health / Vaccinations
Compulsory:
Yellow Fever
Recommended Travel Vaccines:
Hepatitis A & B, Meningitis, Rabies, Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio
Malaria Risk
South African Representative Abroad
South African Embassy
LOT 135-137 Tevagh Zeina, Nouakchott, Mauritania
Telephone: + 222 45 24 55 90
E-mail: admin.nouakchott@dirco.gov.za
Website: dirco.gov.za/nouakchott/