Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > North Africa
North Africa Topics specific to North Africa and the Sahara down to the 17th parallel (excludes Morocco)
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Trans Sahara Routes.

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 18 May 2007
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 67
mauritania border visa? and well coordinates for the Nouadhibou-Atar railway piste?

I read a post that the Mauritania border visa is only good for 3 days. Is this true? How much does it cost, and what currencies do they accept? US dollars, moroccan dirhams, or only euros? Any info on adding time to this visa - a 3 day visa isn't good for anything and mine would certainly expire at least a week before I get to Nouackhott!

Also, are there any wells on the Nouadhibou to Atar railway piste? Does anyone have the GPS coordinates of these wells, are they in mined areas or safe areas?
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 18 May 2007
Chris Scott's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jun 2000
Posts: 4,934
... is only good for 3 days

Wherever you read it I think they meant 30 days but ran out of

Info is all here: http://www.sahara-overland.com/country
Click on 'Morocco' or 'Mauritania'

Water from the rough villages along the railway line.

Ch
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 18 May 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Manchester, UK
Posts: 456
Rumours have it

No idea whether it's true, but it was posted a while back that only transit visas are now available at the border. Apparently a recent shift from the new regime.

Anyone been through (very) recently?
__________________
Pictures, Mauritania 2011
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 18 May 2007
Chris Scott's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jun 2000
Posts: 4,934
Oh really, pardon me then. That would really put the spanner in the works if it's true. Is it Libyan-style retaliation for some tourists pissing them off or maybe a visa-at-the-border-only rule? Elsewhere (Casa, London) business as usual... Who knows.

Ch
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 18 May 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Manchester, UK
Posts: 456
Can't find the original post annoyingly, but seem to remember the poster saying that it could be extended as normal in Nouakchott. So perhaps just a border-only situation -- otherwise it really would be a pain in the rear end.

Perhaps the Moroccans asked for the change to encourage visitors to Casa...
__________________
Pictures, Mauritania 2011
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 18 May 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Manchester, UK
Posts: 456
Anyone with experiences of the border in the last month or so, don't hold back. The prospect of phoning the Mauri embassy always sends a cold shiver...
__________________
Pictures, Mauritania 2011
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 18 May 2007
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 47
Yes I definitly remeber seeing this post. I believe it said that you can only get a temporary visa at the border (yes for 3 days) and have to change this into a 30 day visa in Nouck...
If you come from Maroc it is easy and cheap to pick a visa up in Rabat...
Cheers Lotty
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 18 May 2007
Moderated Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Limoux, France
Posts: 352
As far as I was aware the '3' day visa was when the new president came to power as a short term measure. I 'believe' it's back to normal now. However you can sort it out in NBD at the police station. Or get it (with all the endless paperwork) in Casablanca

Kira
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 18 May 2007
Ulrich's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: In the heart of Bavaria
Posts: 406
Hello all,

here news about visa from the 18.04.2007:

- At the border no visa possible

- Best way is to order it in the mauretanien embassy in Your home-country

or, if You come from Morocco,

at the mauretanien consulat in Casablance,
Route de'El Jarida
GPS-coordinates: N33°33.7' - W07°38.7' (just editet - this are the correct coordinates
if You order the visa in the time between 8.00 h - 11.00 h, You will get the visa latest at 14.00 h. Price 30 Euro

Just a tip: Who travels with a woman, it would be good to let her stay in the row on the street in front of the consulat, that makes it faster. They don't want to have woman standing on the street.

The original thread You will find here: Yahoo! Groupes

Ulrich

Last edited by Ulrich; 18 May 2007 at 20:52. Reason: Coordinates have been wrong
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 18 May 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Manchester, UK
Posts: 456
I guess unless there's some news in the meantime, Casa it is then...

I wouldn't count 100% on same day visas. Last year we turned up as the doors opened, filled in the forms and then were told to come back the next day.
__________________
Pictures, Mauritania 2011
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 18 May 2007
Chris Scott's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jun 2000
Posts: 4,934
Shame about the border then - nice while it lasted. Last time I did it in London it was no drama, just expensive at 42 quid.

Details and forms here:
http://www.sahara-overland.com/country/rim.htm

Ch
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 19 May 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Madrid , Spain
Posts: 239
HI ..

AFAIK The situation about RIM visa is as follows : (news from 2 days ago)

Visa is definitely Available at ANY border for as little as 10 Euro. This gives you 3 days "transit" visa .

should you want to extend your visa , then you can do it for another 10 Euro in Nouadibou / Nouatchott . This buys you 1 month's worth of visa.


and as ussual , Visa is also available in Casablanca 200 DH or upon arrival in any RIM's Airport

have a nice day
JAvier
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 21 May 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Manchester, UK
Posts: 456
Thanks Javier
__________________
Pictures, Mauritania 2011
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 25 May 2007
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Oslo, Norway
Posts: 12
On my tour Oslo-Dakar-Oslo I crossed the border between Western Sahara and Mauritania this year on april 7. and on april 13. on my re-tour. The visa is only good for 3 days so if you need to have a visa for more than 3 days you must get it in Nouadhibou or Nouakchott. Euros is all you need but I had some Morocco Dirhams I changed into Mauritanian money at the border (Mauritanian side). There was some "moneychangers" stopping me in the "no mans land" beetween Western Sahara and Mauritania, asking me if I wanted to change money. I just said no and did it at the bordercrossing insted. But remeber to bring lots of Euro. As a foreigner you will NOT be able to get money inside Mauritania. You have to bring all the Euros you need for the whole Mauritania tour. Crossing the border was easy and trouble free. The cost of the visa I do not remember, but I belive it was 10 Euro, then you need the insurance for your vehicle, do not remember the price there either, but it's not expensive. I took the tarmac road all the way to Dakar. Only the brodercrossing between Western Sahara and Mauritania was not tarmac, one kilometer or so.

Terje


Quote:
Originally Posted by monkii View Post
I read a post that the Mauritania border visa is only good for 3 days. Is this true? How much does it cost, and what currencies do they accept? US dollars, moroccan dirhams, or only euros? Any info on adding time to this visa - a 3 day visa isn't good for anything and mine would certainly expire at least a week before I get to Nouackhott!

Also, are there any wells on the Nouadhibou to Atar railway piste? Does anyone have the GPS coordinates of these wells, are they in mined areas or safe areas?
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 25 May 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Madrid , Spain
Posts: 239
Quote:
Originally Posted by Daedalus Films View Post
The Mauritanian Embassy in Rabat will not issue a visa, you must go to Casablanca.
The Mauritanian Embassy in Rabat, consulate in Casablanca, and Embassy in Washington, D.C. all claim that border visas are not available and you must get your visa from an Embassy. I do not know if this is true, but this is what I was told this week by all three Embassies.
hi .,..

Experience says that Embassies are the LAST place to get information about a country. They either don't know the border status , and sometimes they can mislead you . According to the embassies , you can not get the RIM visa on the border (wrong ) , you CAN ! enter Senegal with a 6 years old car (mostly wrong ) , drive in Gambia a RHD (wrong ) ,
according with Embassies you can not fly into Mali nor Niger without a visa (Also Wrong ) , sell a car in Mali (wrong),
etc....

In other words.. don't lose a minute talking to the embassies . They know jack $hit about the situation in their own countries.

Indeed the best and only place to get information first hand is actually this forum ! .
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27 2025
Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
Ecuador June 13-15
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
CanWest: July 10-13 2025
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21 2025
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 19:45.