Overview
Mauritania is where the Sahara meets the Atlantic — a vast, thinly populated country bridging North and West Africa. It suits travellers who like their adventures genuinely off the beaten track: caravan towns with centuries-old libraries, one of the world's great birdwatching coastlines and the legendary iron-ore train. Most UK visitors arrive through the capital, Nouakchott, then head inland to the desert around Atar. There are no direct flights from the UK, but well-timed one-stop connections keep the journey simple. For current fares, see the price charts on this page.
Best time to fly to Mauritania
The comfortable season runs from November to March, with manageable daytime heat and clear skies — ideal for the desert and for the bird migrations at Banc d'Arguin. April to October is intensely hot inland, and the far south sees short rains between July and September. Coastal Nouakchott and Nouadhibou stay a little cooler year-round thanks to the Atlantic breeze. Demand and fares tend to climb over the cooler months and the Christmas period; the "When to book" chart above shows the pattern.
Main gateway cities & airports
- Nouakchott–Oumtounsy International (NKC): the main entry point, about 25 km north of the capital.
- Nouadhibou International (NDB): serves the northern fishing city and the iron-ore railway.
- Atar International (ATR): gateway to the Adrar desert, Chinguetti and Ouadane, with occasional seasonal charters in winter.
Airlines and routes
No airline flies nonstop between the UK and Mauritania, so you'll connect through a hub. Popular options include Air France via Paris, Royal Air Maroc via Casablanca, Turkish Airlines via Istanbul and Tunisair via Tunis. Mauritania Airlines, the national carrier, links Nouakchott with several of these hubs and runs domestic hops to Atar, Nouadhibou and Zouérat. From London, expect roughly 8–12 hours in total depending on the connection; from Manchester, routings via Istanbul or Casablanca are usually smoothest, with similar overall times. The final nonstop leg, such as Casablanca–Nouakchott, is only about two and a half hours.
Popular places to visit in Mauritania
- Banc d'Arguin National Park: UNESCO-listed Atlantic coast hosting millions of migratory birds.
- Chinguetti: ancient Saharan caravan town famed for its medieval manuscript libraries.
- Adrar Plateau & Terjit: dunes, canyons and palm-shaded oases within reach of Atar.
- Ouadane & the Richat Structure: a ruined stone ksâr beside the "Eye of the Sahara".
- The iron-ore train: a ride alongside one of the longest, heaviest trains on earth, from Zouérat to Nouadhibou.
Top tips for finding cheap flights to Mauritania
- Compare hub routings — Paris, Casablanca, Istanbul and Tunis can differ noticeably for the same dates; the charts on this page make the gaps clear.
- Fly mid-week where you can and avoid the Christmas and New Year peak.
- Book two to four months ahead for the November–March season, when seats on the better connections sell early.
- Fly into Nouakchott and continue to Atar by domestic flight or road rather than waiting for a seasonal charter.
Travel essentials
UK passport holders need a visa; a visa on arrival is currently available at Nouakchott–Oumtounsy airport for a fee payable in euros in cash, with a passport valid for at least six months — always check the latest FCDO advice, which also discourages travel to some border areas. The currency is the Mauritanian ouguiya (MRU), a closed currency you obtain on arrival, so bring euros in cash as cards are rarely accepted outside major hotels. For the best value, refer to the price charts on this page and book a couple of months in advance.
