Mauri Visa Options?

[mystic]

Hi all

Hoping one or two out there can advise!

Heading to Senegal & the Gambia by bike fairly soon.

Had originally planned on picking up the Mauri visa in Rabat. However, recent events now mean I can't get to Rabat until late on a Friday afternoon. Posts on here suggest it's a two day job waiting for the embassy to do whatever they have to do ..... but I've no desire to hang around alone in Rabat for 4 nights!

So, Plan B. Pick up a 3 day Transit visa at the Maroc/Mauri border and then head down to Nouakchott to get a full 30 day one.

My questions:

Exactly where do I need to go in Nouakchott to get the visa?

What's the cost?

What currencies will they accept?

and lastly ..... from experience ... any recommendations for clean accommodation in Nouakchott?

All info/advice welcomed.

Thanks

Mike

[Sime66]

First, don't do what I did - plan to stay in NKT for 1 day, fall off, and end up having to stay 3 months.

Second, stay at Auberge Sahara (on the left before you get to the "city" centre).
Great people and they'll help you with the visa thing.

Say hi to Kania and Herman...

Also bring plenty of Euros - no bank action to be had.

[MotoEdde]

I second the Auberge Sahara option in Nouachott....good spot.

You could do the following...
1. Stop by Mauri embassy in Rabat Friday evening...and query them and other applicants about what you need.
2. Head to Fes on an overnight train, spend your weekend there, and then head back to Rabat Sunday evening.
3. Hit the consulate Monday morning with pics, and necessary paperwork
and shove off Tuesday morning...

The Mauri embassy in Rabat will be much easier to deal with than the Mauri bureau in Nouachott...I personally would minimize the interactions with Mauri gov't officials IN Mauri.

HTH

[schiannini]

if you are taking a GPS the waypoint for the mauritanian embassy in Rabat is N33 58.828 W006 49.854

it took us 48hrs for Mauritanian visa and 24 for a Mali one there (Mali embassy on same street at No 7)

You will need two passport photos as well as the usual papers.

We checked at the Mauritanian border if they were still doing the 3 day transit visa and at the time (a couple of weeks ago) the answer was yes.

As an aside and at the risk of teaching you to suck eggs, it's a good idea to take several photocopies of the photo page of your passport with vehicle reg, engine and frame number on the reverse.

[mystic]

Originally Posted by schiannini

if you are taking a GPS the waypoint for the mauritanian embassy in Rabat is N33 58.828 W006 49.854

it took us 48hrs for Mauritanian visa and 24 for a Mali one there (Mali embassy on same street at No 7)

You will need two passport photos as well as the usual papers.

We checked at the Mauritanian border if they were still doing the 3 day transit visa and at the time (a couple of weeks ago) the answer was yes.

As an aside and at the risk of teaching you to suck eggs, it's a good idea to take several photocopies of the photo page of your passport with vehicle reg, engine and frame number on the reverse.

Hi Fil, glad you're all safely back.
Yes I'd sussed out all the 'requirements' for Rabat. Just needed to know if the 3 day transit visa obtainable at the Mauri border was still a viable option?(extend in NKT as required). You've confirmed it is - so that's one more thing to tick off the list! Thanks.

PS some great pics you've posted on UKGSer!

[Quintin]

Though we had the 'full' visa on our recent trip down to Senegal, we met loads of people who had no trouble extending their visas once they'd reached NKT. These included one guy who'd overstayed his 3-day transit visa by a few days staying in the Arguin National Park; all the local Police needed to know from him was why he'd not applied before the transit visa expired.

Can't remember how much was charged at NKT for the 'full' visa but it wasn't a huge amount. My advice though would be to pay in Ougiyas rather than Euros as you'll be screwed on the exchange rate.

Incidentally, the rate is MUCH better in NKT than in NDB or the border. At the border we got 300 to a €, in NKT 333/340 and at Paribank in NKT 374:€. Paribank (just round the corner from Auberge Menata) have a cash machine which was due to open a few days after we were last there on 24/11/07. I do NOT recommend the Auberge Menata though as Maloum (Olivia's husband) who does the day to day running is a miserable s*d.

Q

[Tim Cullis]

I had no problem getting transit visa at the Mauri border (€10) a week or so back. On the way into Sénégal I went via the Diama piste, however I've been told it's not possible to go back that route unless you already have a visa as they don't issue transits there. So unless someone is telling porkies it looks like I shall have to endure the fun of Rosso.

Tim

[MetusUK]

Originally Posted by schiannini

if you are taking a GPS the waypoint for the mauritanian embassy in Rabat is N33 58.828 W006 49.854

it took us 48hrs for Mauritanian visa and 24 for a Mali one there (Mali embassy on same street at No 7)

You will need two passport photos as well as the usual papers.

We checked at the Mauritanian border if they were still doing the 3 day transit visa and at the time (a couple of weeks ago) the answer was yes.

As an aside and at the risk of teaching you to suck eggs, it's a good idea to take several photocopies of the photo page of your passport with vehicle reg, engine and frame number on the reverse.

Thanks for the Waypoint!

[mafra]

If someone needs the TTQV-Track from Rosso to Diama along the dam , send my a mail - I will send the waypoints.
mailto: mafra-gibraltar@mafratours.eu

Also available the complete distance from Marrakech to Dakar!
With gas station coordinates west Africa
Naturally free of charge !!!

[MetusUK]

Originally Posted by mafra

If someone needs the TTQV-Track from Rosso to Diama along the dam , send my a mail - I will send the waypoints.
mailto: mafra-gibraltar@mafratours.eu

Also available the complete distance from Marrakech to Dakar!
With gas station coordinates west Africa
Naturally free of charge !!!

You have a new email!

[mystic]

Hi Mafra,

Have Emailed You.

Thanks

Mystic

[mafra]

I had mail from Nick and Mike - the coordinates are on the way ...

[MetusUK]

Originally Posted by mafra

I had mail from Nick and Mike - the coordinates are on the way ...

Thanks!!!!..... legend

[mystic]

Mafra
And another thank you ....... for the files!

Mike

[mafra]

edited