SICURO · Travel Risk Map

Mauritania Travel Risk Level

Level 3 — Reconsider Travel

Mauritania faces an elevated risk from terrorism and civil unrest, with the US State Department issuing a Level 3 advisory. Reissued after periodic review with minor edits.

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Government travel advisories

The headline risk level reflects the US State Department and UK FCDO advisories. France Diplomatie and Germany's Auswärtiges Amt apply more conservative criteria and are shown below for additional context.

US State Department

Level 3 · whole-country 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
Higher-risk regions — Level 4 (Do Not Travel): 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…

UK FCDO

See our travel advice before travelling · whole-country level
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
Higher-risk regions — Advise against all 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…

France Diplomatie

Heightened vigilance · whole-country level
France Diplomatie : vigilance renforcée sur l'ensemble du pays (jaune).
Higher-risk regions — Travel formally advised against: (zone rouge) Compte-tenu de la situation sécuritaire dégradée au Mali voisin, il est formellement déconseillé de s’approcher des frontières de ce pays. Il est formellement déconseillé de se rendre…

Germany Auswärtiges Amt

Travel advice (Reisehinweise) · whole-country level
Auswärtiges Amt: Reise- und Sicherheitshinweise (general travel and security advice); no travel warning in effect.
Higher-risk regions — Partial travel warning (Teilreisewarnung): Auswärtiges Amt: Teilreisewarnung (partial travel warning) — travel advised against for parts of the country.

Active disaster alerts (GDACS)

No active GDACS disaster events for Mauritania at this time.

Health alerts (WHO)

Rift valley
Rift Valley fever- Mauritania and Senegal
Between 20 September and 30 October 2025, a total of 404 confirmed human cases of Rift Valley fever (RVF), including 42 deaths, were reported by national health authorities in two West African countries: Mauritania and Senegal. RVF is a zoo…
2025-11-05T15:07:26Z · 8mo ago

Global & regional health alerts (WHO)

Cross-border outbreaks and pandemic-scale alerts that affect travellers regardless of destination.

Global · Chikungunya
2025-10-03T11:25:30Z
Regional · Diphtheria
2025-11-21T19:00:00Z
Global
2025-12-10T19:00:00Z

Recent risk-level changes

Frequently asked questions

Is it safe to travel to Mauritania?

Mauritania is currently assessed at Level 3 (Reconsider Travel) based on the US State Department and UK FCDO advisories. Reissued after periodic review with minor edits.

What is the current US State Department travel advisory for Mauritania?

The US State Department currently rates Mauritania at Level 3 — Reconsider Travel — for the country as a whole. Specific areas carry a higher level (Do Not Travel). Reissued after periodic review with minor edits.

What is the current UK FCDO advice for Mauritania?

The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office currently advises: "See our travel advice before travelling" for Mauritania as a whole. It advises against travel to parts of the country (Advise against all travel). Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advice.

What is the current France Diplomatie advice for Mauritania?

France Diplomatie currently advises "Heightened vigilance" for Mauritania as a whole. Specific regions are rated higher (Travel formally advised against). France Diplomatie: vigilance renforcée sur l'ensemble du pays (jaune).

What is the current Germany Auswärtiges Amt advice for Mauritania?

Germany's Auswärtiges Amt currently advises "Travel advice (Reisehinweise)" for Mauritania as a whole. A partial travel warning (Partial travel warning (Teilreisewarnung)) applies to parts of the country. Auswärtiges Amt: Reise- und Sicherheitshinweise (general travel and security advice); no travel warning in effect.

Other countries at Level 3