Travel Vaccines and Advice for Mauritania

Yes, some vaccines are recommended or required for Mauritania. The CDC and WHO recommend the following vaccinations for Mauritania: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, yellow fever, rabies, meningitis, polio, measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis), chickenpox, shingles, pneumonia and influenza.

COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for travel to all regions, both foreign and domestic. Check with your local Passport Health clinic if immunization is offered in your area.

Proof of yellow fever immunization is required for entry to Mauritania. The mosquito-borne disease is still present in the African nation.

Malaria is also a risk for travelers to the region. Antimalarial medication is recommended.

Dengue and chikungunya are two more mosquito-borne infections found in Mauritania. While there is no vaccine against these diseases, repellents and mosquito netting are the best forms of protection.

Medical care is limited in Mauritania. There are facilities in large urban areas, but pharmacies may not be well-stocked. It is advised that you bring your own prescriptions and medicines.

See our vaccinations page to learn more about these infections and vaccines. Ready to protect yourself? Book your travel health appointment today by calling or schedule online now.

A visa, valid passport and proof of yellow fever vaccination are required to enter Mauritania.

Mauritania Entry Requirements
Do I Need A…	For My Trip to Mauritania?
Passport
Tourist Visa
Business Visa
Vaccinations

Sources: Embassy of Mauritania and U.S. State Department

It is best to obtain your visa before arrival to avoid any unforeseen difficulty when entering the country.

The majority of the Mauritania is a desert climate. The southern regions are semi-desert in the summer monsoon season (June-October).

Day-time temperatures can reach over 100 degrees and nights are often under 55.

Trade winds and rain are the biggest factors determining temperatures.

There is currently a travel warning for all U.S. citizens traveling to Mauritania. This travel warning is due to terrorist activity in the neighboring country of Mali.

It is discouraged to travel outside of urban areas or use roads outside of urban areas. If this is a necessity for you, you should travel in a convoy and with a guide. There is a risk of landmines in the Western Sahara.

U.S. citizens have been targets for violent crimes in Nouakchott, including armed robberies.

Along the Atlantic coast, Parc National du Banc d’Arguin welcomes birds of all species that are migrating from Europe to Africa. Recognized as a World-Heritage site, this national park is the perfect place for bird-watching and is considered one of the best places to bird watch in Africa.

You can enter the park best by boat if you take one from a small village called Iwik. The park itself is made up of sand-dunes, swamps and coastal waters.

Millions of birds are recorded coming to this spot every year, including sandpipers, flamingos, pelicans, and egrets.

The best time of year to visit the park is in December and January, which is mating season.

Here are some essential items to consider for your trip to Mauritania:

• Modest Dress – Any jewelry can be seen as immodest.
• Scarf – Women should wear scarves to cover their heads.
• Glasses – If you wear contacts, you might want to consider glasses due to blowing sand.
• Water Purification Tablets – To avoid contaminated drinking water.

All Americans visiting Mauritania should register online with the U.S. Department of State before departure. This will inform the office of your travel plans within the country and will allow them to reach out in the case of an emergency or evacuation.

Once in Mauritania, the information for the U.S. Embassy is:

U.S. Embassy Nouakchott
288, Rue 42-100
Telephone: +(222) 4525-2660
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(222) 3662-8163
Fax: (222) 4525-1592
Email: ConsularNKC@state.gov

If you have any questions about traveling to Mauritania or are wondering what shots you may need for your trip, schedule an appointment with your local Passport Health travel medicine clinic. Call us at or book online now and protect yourself today.