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 1 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/