Mauritania is an entirely Moslem country. This is a significant fact. But Mauritania’s Islam is of the malékite, sunnite rite. It is tolerant and open. Nothing in the life Mauritanians which is a people of nomad origins calls for extremism or violence. Quite to the contrary, foreigners are respected and encouraged.

The introduction, the transport of alcoholic drink, psychotropic substances, pornographic magazines or materials, weapons, explosives and the exploitation of archaeological objects are strictly prohibited. Just as the introduction and the distribution of foreign works of religious proselytism. The taking of photographs of military installations, of barracks, landing strips is also prohibited. In the street, you must avoid taking pictures of people who do not want you to. In private, it is always necessary to ask for the authorization.

As an indication of what you will need, we provide a list of equipment and objects which are most adapted: cotton tee-shirts, linen trousers, pullover (in winter), robust shoes for excursions, sandals, sunglasses, Mauritanian style turban for the men, sometimes very useful, thermos flask for ice cubes and drinks (available locally inexpensively), scarf or shawl for the ladies, lighter and or matches, small binoculars, flashlight, small transistor radio with short waves (also available inexpensively locally), camera, back pack, bag for the personal effects. You can enter Mauritania with your vehicle coming from the north from Morocco and from Western Sahara or in the South by the frontier city of Rosso. You must however declare your vehicle and pay the taxes.

If you want to sell your vehicle do it the regular way by discharging yourselves of the customs duties, which the purchaser must pay. In other words, your car must be sold cleared of taxes, if not you will have to take it out of the territory.

The Mauritanian environment is dry and hot. It is generally healthy. But in the cities, promiscuity creates conditions, which create a less healthy environment. With the difference of the desert zones, ecologically cleaner in the south, paludism is a problem. It is necessary to be protected from the mosquito’s. The water from ponds can cause health problems. But for the remainder, water in Mauritania is of very good quality. Bottled mineral water is abundant and is sold almost everywhere. It is necessary to take by precaution a anti-paludic cure or vaccin especially if one goes towards the south. Moreover it is necessary to avoid the water of the ponds and to take the care to regularly wash your hands, several times per day and especially before each meal when one eats with his fingers. To ask to wash your hands by no means embarrasses your hosts. Generally, Mauritanians wash the hands before each meal. It is necessary to have in his possession a first aid emergency kit.

Records of vaccination against cholera and yellow fever are theoretically required to enter the country. In practice it is seldom asked. But, it is to better do get these vaccinations.

Currencies are free to circulate in Mauritania and their entry is authorized whatever the amount. You are required, however to declare them at your entry. You must preserve your declaration because this authorizes you to leave with the remainder of the currencies in your possession.

The exchange is done in the banks or in the exchange offices. It is necessary to get information about the rates of exchange: www.bcm.mr It is necessary to avoid exchanges in the streets and public places. The most known currencies in Mauritania are the American Dollar, and Euro. Link: Prices of currencies and food products. The bankcards are not used. Only certain airline companies and top-level hotels accept them. It is necessary to get information from one’s correspondents for each case. There is no bank machine, but traveler-cheques are accepted.

For non Moslems, the entry of the mosques and places of prayer obey strict rules.