Travel Vaccines and Advice for Mauritania
Mauritania is one of the least-densely populated countries in the world, with many of its citizens residing in a single city. The majority of the population is concentrated in the south due to the desert region in the north.
Human Rights issues are present in Mauritania, mostly slavery, in which 4% of the population is enslaved. Mauritania has also received international scrutiny for its justice system.
Mauritania has a variety of languages including French, Pulaar, Soninke, and different forms of Arabic. Nearly everyone in the country practices Islam.
On This Page:
Do I Need Vaccines for Mauritania?
Do I Need a Visa or Passport for Mauritania?
What is the Climate Like in Mauritania?
How Safe is Mauritania?
Bird Watching in Mauritania
What Should I Take To Mauritania?
Canadian Embassy in Mauritania
Do I Need Vaccines for Mauritania?
Yes, some vaccines are recommended or required for Mauritania. The PHAC and WHO recommend the following vaccinations for Mauritania: COVID-19, 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.
See the bullets below to learn more about some of these key immunizations:
- COVID-19 –
Airborne –
Recommended for all travellers - Hepatitis A –
Food & Water –
Recommended for most travellers - Hepatitis B –
Blood & Body Fluids –
Accelerated schedule available - Typhoid –
Food & Water –
Shot lasts 2 years. Oral vaccine lasts 5 years, must be able to swallow pills. Oral doses must be kept in refrigerator. - Yellow Fever –
Mosquito –
Required if travelling from a region with yellow fever. Recommended for all travellers over 9 months of age traveling south of the Sahara. - Rabies –
Saliva of Infected Animals –
High risk country. Vaccine recommended for long-term travellers and those who may come in contact with animals. - Meningitis –
Airborne & Direct Contact –
Southern regions are located in the meningitis belt, vaccination is recommended during the dry season (Dec. – June) - Measles Mumps Rubella (MMR) –
Various Vectors –
Given to anyone unvaccinated and/or born after 1957. One time adult booster recommended. - TDAP (Tetanus, Diphtheria & Pertussis) –
Wounds & Airborne –
Only one adult booster of pertussis required. - Chickenpox –
Direct Contact & Airborne –
Given to those unvaccinated that did not have chickenpox. - Shingles –
Direct Contact –
Vaccine can still be given if you have had shingles. - Pneumonia –
Airborne –
Two vaccines given separately. All 65+ or immunocompromised should receive both. - Influenza –
Airborne –
Vaccine components change annually. - Polio –
Food & Water –
Considered a routine vaccination for most travel itineraries. Single adult booster recommended.
See the tables below for more information:
Recommended Travel Vaccinations for Mauritania |
||
| VACCINE | HOW DISEASE SPREADS | DETAILS |
|---|---|---|
| COVID-19 | Airborne | Recommended for all travellers |
| Hepatitis A | Food & Water | Recommended for most travellers |
| Hepatitis B | Blood & Body Fluids | Accelerated schedule available |
| Typhoid | Food & Water | Shot lasts 2 years. Oral vaccine lasts 5 years, must be able to swallow pills. Oral doses must be kept in refrigerator. |
| Yellow Fever | Mosquito | Required if travelling from a region with yellow fever. Recommended for all travellers over 9 months of age traveling south of the Sahara. |
| Rabies | Saliva of Infected Animals | High risk country. Vaccine recommended for long-term travellers and those who may come in contact with animals. |
| Meningitis | Airborne & Direct Contact | Southern regions are located in the meningitis belt, vaccination is recommended during the dry season (Dec. – June) |
Routine Vaccinations for Mauritania |
||
| VACCINE | HOW DISEASE SPREADS | DETAILS |
|---|---|---|
| Measles Mumps Rubella (MMR) | Various Vectors | Given to anyone unvaccinated and/or born after 1957. One time adult booster recommended. |
| TDAP (Tetanus, Diphtheria & Pertussis) | Wounds & Airborne | Only one adult booster of pertussis required. |
| Chickenpox | Direct Contact & Airborne | Given to those unvaccinated that did not have chickenpox. |
| Shingles | Direct Contact | Vaccine can still be given if you have had shingles. |
| Pneumonia | Airborne | Two vaccines given separately. All 65+ or immunocompromised should receive both. |
| Influenza | Airborne | Vaccine components change annually. |
| Polio | Food & Water | Considered a routine vaccination for most travel itineraries. Single adult booster recommended. |
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 travellers 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.
Do I Need a Visa or Passport for Mauritania?
A visa, valid passport and proof of yellow fever vaccination are required to enter Mauritania.
Mauritania Entry Requirements |
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| Do I Need A… | For My Trip to Mauritania? | |
|---|---|---|
| Passport |  |
|
| Tourist Visa | |
|
| Business Visa | |
|
| Vaccinations | |
|
Sources: Embassy of Mauritania and Canadian Travel and Tourism
It is best to obtain your visa before arrival to avoid any unforeseen difficulty when entering the country.
Visit the Canadian Travel and Tourism website for more information on entry and exit requirements.
What is the Climate Like in Mauritania?
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 37 degrees and nights are often under 12.
Trade winds and rain are the biggest factors determining temperatures.
How Safe is Mauritania?
There is currently a travel warning for all Canadians travelling 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.
Canadians have been targets for violent crimes in Nouakchott, including armed robberies.
Bird Watching in Mauritania
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.
What Should I Take To Mauritania?
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.
Canadian Embassy in Mauritania
Canadian consular services can help travellers with many issues they may face including passport services. There are no consular services in Mauritania. For any consular needs, contact the Canadian Embassy of Morocco:
Embassy of Canada in Morocco
66, Mehdi Ben Barka Avenue
Rabat-Souissi, Morocco
Telephone: (+212) (0)537 54 49 49
If you have any questions about travelling 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.
Customer Reviews
Passport Health – Travel Vaccines for Mauritania
“Our nurse was wonderful, very kind, compassionate and knowledgeable. He is absolutely amazing! Takes the time to explain everything to you about your destination. He is so professional and helpful!!! I would HIGHLY recommend Passport Health to anyone especially if travelling to Mauritania.”
“I’ve never travelled to an international country before and the information I got on health things to be aware of so that I have a great vacation in Mauritania was very helpful and stress relieving. Our nurse was very informative, checked thoroughly into things we had questions about, and was great at giving the vaccines. Would definitely recommend for people who want this part of going on a trip to be easy and stress-less.”
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