We plan to follow the Atlantic Route and head on to Mali via Nema. As the visa only lasts 3 days, do I have to drive like a bat out of hell to clear the country in that time?
We plan to enter Mauritania as soon as the border opens, any suggestions as to overnight stops would be appreciated.
Thanks
Ian

You could do it, maybe, but it would be a strain - the border can sometimes take hours and the Route D'Espoir (NKT to Nema) is a grind. It's mostly straight, decent tar but the animals, checkpoints, potholes etc. will slow you down. Not safe in the dark either.

If you're also hoping to get a Malian visa along the way in NKT then I would certainly say forget it.

Maybe better to get a proper Mori visa in London or Casa?

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Pictures, Mauritania 2011

you can get either visa, or justt stamp on mauri border, the last gives you rights to go to police in Bamako and make proper visa there. For the stamp thet\y asked 10 - 25 euros on the border, and for visa in bamako its 15000 CFA.

you can absolutely do it in three days. you will not see anything in Mauritania though.

Get the the Moroccan/Mauritanian border as early as you can. Keep in mind that they shut down to pray and have lunch between 1-3PM. Thatºs two hours spent waiting. If you get to the border by say 10-11AM, youll be in Mauritania by noon-1PM. You can easily and comfortably be in Nouakchott by 8-9PM if you take the paved road. If you have a fast car even earlier.
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Make sure you have enough fuel. Thereºs one gas station along the way and it may not operate or have inventory at all times.

Spend the night in NKT, get your MALI visa in the morning at the Malian embassy. If you go there at the time of the opening and are exceptionally nice to the staff you may be able to pick up your visa in as little as 30minutes.

Move onto Kiffa right after you got your visa. If you leave NKT by 11AM youºll be in Kiffa by 6-7PM. The NKT Kiffa road (Road of Hope) altough itºs paved it can be very dangerous at night. As another comment mentioned, itºs full of animal corpses, crazy drivers and potholes. Try not to waste time and get to Kiffa before it gets dark. There are two decent hotels in Kiffa. I prefer the Le Phare Du Desert on the right hand side of the road as you enter. If you have any gynocological problems, itºs also the place to be, sihce the owner is the townºs gynocologist. (no joke)

On day 3 drive to Nema and cross the border.

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http://www.BudapestBamako.org

Thanks for the info.
We have decided to get a visa for Mauritania from Casablanca and take our time and enjoy the country. Will get thre Mali visa when we get into Bamanko.
Only 35 days now and counting