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Driving in mauritania?

Travel Info
hello,

i will be driving in mauritanis at the end of august on a van trip from london to mali.

we're worried about safety and road conditions..

can anyone tell me how it is like?

thanks so much for the help!

rita xx

Travel Tips

Road conditions in Mauritania are generally poor, particularly in the interior. Overland travel is difficult and roadside assistance is almost nonexistent. Mauritania has only about 2,070 km (1,286 miles) of surfaced roads, 710 km (441 miles) of unsurfaced roads and 5,140 km (3,194 miles) of unimproved tracks. There are four major roads, linking Nouakchott to Akjoujt and Atar to the north; Rosso to the south; Aleg, Kaedi, and Boghe to the southeast, and eastward to Nema (the 鈥淩oad of Hope鈥?. Construction on a new highway between Nouakchott to Nouadhibou has recently been completed; however, caution should be used since maintenance on this road continues and travelers should pay particular attention to drifting sands that occasionally obstruct passage.

Driving in Mauritania is treacherous, and we encourage you to hire a trained local driver. Traffic patterns differ considerably from American-style 鈥渞ules of the road,鈥?and many Mauritanians drive without regard to traffic signs or rules. Roadway obstructions and hazards caused by drifting sand, animals, and poor roads often plague motorists; when combined with the number of untrained drivers and poorly maintained vehicles, heightened caution is imperative at all times. Drivers and passengers should drive defensively and always wear their seat belts. Motorcycle and bicycle riders should wear helmets and protective clothing. Nighttime driving is discouraged.
Visitors traveling overland for long distances in Mauritania should be sure to have a suitable four-wheel drive vehicle, a local guide, an adequate supply of water, and a second fuel reservoir. A second vehicle is recommended in case of breakdown. Visitors are urged not to travel alone into the desert.
In Nouakchott and other major cities in Mauritania, police routinely conduct road blocks at which they may ask for proof of identify and drivers鈥?licenses. It is best to drive cautiously and be prepared to stop at short notice. Source(s): the web - lm
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