Mauritanian border
 

I'm going to Mauritania in a couple of weeks and for me it's the first time for this country.
I've read the description of "Atlantic Route"
on this site and I have some little questions about the actual situation now :
1. Do you know if insurance is to be bought at the border post ? If no , do I have to go to Nouadhibou to buy it or can I obtain it in Atar or Nouakchott ?
2. What about the new tar road now ? Are the police and customs posts on this road now ? Or are they at the same place as described on "Atlantic route" ?
Does this road cross the railway now ?
3. Do you know some (nice?) posts for the night just before or after this border ?
Thanks for your replies !
RR.

Nobody has crossed Morocco/Mauri border these days ?
Thanks for your (forecoming?) replies !
RR.

Two months ago you could not buy insurance at the border. I stayed at the Baie du Levrier campsite in Nouadhibou and the insurance man (plus the money changer and the national park guy) turned up once a day. They then found you.
I left on the Choum train and nobody asked for insurance until I got to Nouakchott. I got stopped at a road block at night with no lights on the bike and was asked if I had insurance when I said yes that was it - they didn't want to see it.
The tar road has a way to go yet at the Nouadhibou end. I'd be surprised if any checkpoints have moved yet
There is nothing after Dahkla on the Moroccan side and nothing until Nouadhibou on the Mauritanian side. Baie du Levrier campsite seems to be the main overlanders site. If you're on a bike allow a good couple of hours from the border to Nouadhibou- the piste comes as a shock after the Moroccan tarmac. I met two bikers in the couple of days I was there who had broken their ribs through falls on the run from the border. Both left by air.

Hi Stuart !
Thanks for your infos (I'm in a 4x4 ).
RR.

Hi,

You can stay at the Hotel Barbas some 70Ks from the border in the moroccan side and go for the border in the morning.
In October 2003 you could't get insurance in the border. Me and my friends didn't get it at all, as you will need to go to NDB for that purpose (one day wasted?), and had no problems.
Don't know if it is possible to get insurance in Atar.

Regards and have fun

NCR

Hi,

1. Do you know if insurance is to be bought at the border post ? If no , do I have to go to Nouadhibou to buy it or can I obtain it in Atar or Nouakchott ?

In November it was not possible to buy insurance at the border. You can obtain it in any of the above cities


2. What about the new tar road now ? Are the police and customs posts on this road now ? Or are they at the same place as described on "Atlantic route" ?

Police and customs are at the border.
The "new road" it is not paved and you can't drive on it for more than 1 km (road blocks to prevent its destruction before paving).
There are military and police checkpoints at the Buchon, just as described in Chris book

Does this road cross the railway now ?
The road goes parallel to the railway line from Nouadh, and then turns south to Nouak. There will be a paved road to the border as well (the turn sign is already in the junction), but it is not complete.
So, basically, nothing as changed, when coming from the border into Nouadh.

3. Do you know some (nice?) posts for the night just before or after this border?

I would not recommend camping after the border due to mine risk.

Cheers,
José

Thanks , NCR and José , for your ( very ) interesting informations .
RR.

FYI, I'm told a month ago NDB to Bou Lanour is nearly ready, and it is sealed from 30k east of Nouamghar to NKT.
Just the 200kms in the middle to do.

'Atlantic Route' has been updated and the 'Atlantic.pdf' has had a couple of corrections and clarifications added.

http://www.sahara-overland.com/routes/atlantic.html

Ch

Hi,

The french run campsite that Chris refers to N of Layoune (http://www.sahara-overland.com/routes/atlantic.html) is excelent. I've stayed there once and would recomend anytime. E-mail me in case you need the Waypoint.

Regards,

NCR

Indeed, there is a good campsite North of Laayune, name: Le Roi Bedouin and, by the way, it is Belgian run.

a belgian, tom

Hej, roro

You were asking for some practical issues, as far as I understood from your enquiry.

Still(January 2004)there is no any tar-road between Morocco and Mauritanien on Cap Blanc. This is the last opportunity, by the way, to go through a bit wild, mined area in the West Africa! And the way to enjoy some thrill of emotions, hehe ...

We've passed this ~20 km track recently heading NDB from PK46 with a great pleasure, however. Just try to feel as a last white conqueror for a short while ... Your imaginations would come true when arriving to this rural area!

Insurance & national parc tickets are available on all camp-sites and at the office located in NDB down-town (how it sounds at this region!) Be courious enough, anyway, to check it yourself.

Before passing the border we used to overnight in Polisario Bay (near Dahla), in a lonely tent (this winter time). Some fishermen on european campers, however, were also present there. A lot of abandoned helmets, all of the Polisario solgers, who were gone to heaven in late 90's, shows clearly that vehicle's military convoy to the Mauri border is already prescripted forever.

If NDB is not your last destination in Mauri, pls let me know. Then I would assist your following plans in West Africa accordingly to my best knowledge of this region.

Best regards

Danek

I'm coming back from Mauritania these days .
About Mauri border : formalities are almost speedy ( about 1/2 hour , visa in 10 minutes : 50 euros + 10 for the car ) .
No bribe at police an control customs : they try a little , but with smile and discussion there is no problem .
The descrition and waypoints in Atlantic Route are easy to follow .
RR.

Was there a Carnet needed for Mauritania too at the border from Marocco?

Margus

You can get away with it being entered in your Passport removing the need for a Carnet. However if you were unfortunate enough to lose the vehicle then you would have major problems exiting the country.

No carnet needed : tthey write a info on your passport about your vehicle , you need to sign a declaration about going out from mauri with this vehicle and at the end of your trip they control that you actually go out with this vehicle .
RR.