After battling armed attacks, Mauritania attempts to revive tourism | Tourism
Tourism in Mauritania: A Gradual Revival Amidst Challenges
Guelb er-Richat, Adrar Region, Mauritania — From her thatch-roof tent, Fatima Cheikh Mohammad Bouya scans the rocky landscape outside, anticipating visitors who might wish to stay the night. The 49-year-old is the custodian of the Richat Structure, a unique geological formation also known as the “Eye of Africa.”
Spanning approximately 40 kilometers in diameter, the Richat Structure is situated in the rugged Adrar Plateau, on the western edge of the Sahara Desert. It is best viewed from aerial perspectives, where its concentric rings form an eye-like shape. Legends even suggest it could be linked to the fabled lost city of Atlantis, enhancing its allure for adventurers.
Bouya hopes to attract these travelers, who often arrive in groups and carry foreign currency. She offers small souvenirs resembling the Richat and provides overnight accommodations beneath the desert sky, complete with tent rentals and dinner service.
“This whole area is my family’s land,” Bouya said in her native Hassaniya Arabic, gesturing to a map as she spoke from her desert camp.
She is among many locals reaping the benefits of Mauritania’s gradual resurgence as a tourist destination. The nation, largely desert, lies at the intersection of North and West Africa, featuring a diverse landscape that merges Saharan and Atlantic coast elements.
For years, tourism was a significant contributor to the economy, with approximately 30,000 visitors annually pre-2000. However, a series of violent incidents negatively impacted this flow.
The Mauritanian government is ramping up marketing efforts to regain tourist interest, with early indicators of success. “Mauritania is having a bit of a moment in the travel world,” said travel expert Sean Connolly, who designated it his 2026 destination of the year in The Times of London. He emphasized the country’s relatively stable environment as a primary draw for visitors.
Historically, tourism peaked in Mauritania during the early 2000s, particularly during the cooler months when French travelers frequented the area for events like the Dakar Rally. But starting in the mid-2000s, the rise of armed groups like al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb led to significant declines in visitor numbers.
A significant incident occurred on Christmas Eve 2007 when AQIM militants killed four French tourists near the town of Aleg, a tragedy that drew global condemnation. Following this, Mauritania endured a series of attacks, resulting in a sharp decrease in tourism and the relocation of the Dakar Rally to the Middle East.
In light of these events, the Mauritanian government enhanced its security measures, deploying elite military units to sensitive borders and increasing engagement with religious leaders to counteract extremist ideologies. In recent years, a focus on alleviating rural poverty has also emerged, allowing officials to expand access to essential services in remote areas.
Despite ongoing challenges, there have been no reported attacks since 2011. Experts indicate that while some officials may have informal arrangements with armed groups, such claims remain unverified.
In the years that followed, Mauritania saw a notable rise in tourist arrivals, increasing by 166 percent between 2018 and 2019 after reducing visa fees significantly. In the current season, approximately 7,000 tourists have visited, according to local travel agency operator Alioune Cheikh.
Though visitor numbers remain modest compared to historical highs, the potential economic impact on a country where roughly one-third of the population lives in poverty is significant.
Traveling through Mauritania’s vast desert, one encounters a mix of natural beauty and remnants of history. The Iron Ore Train, running between Zouerat and the port of Nouadhibou, has become a popular attraction, capturing the interest of adventure travelers.
In the Adrar region, sites like the ancient city of Ouadane draw visitors keen to explore ruins that date back centuries. While Mauritania’s offerings are enticing, tourists have noted gaps in infrastructure, such as the lack of security and guidance at historical sites.
As Fatima Bouya continues her efforts to attract guests, she reflects on the changes in the tourism landscape. “I’ve been in the business since I was a child, but we paused operations due to security issues,” she said, recalling hosting notable figures in the past.
With a population of about 5.5 million, Mauritania’s sparsely populated areas allow families like Bouya’s to manage extensive lands around attractions like the Richat Structure. Although visitor numbers are slowly increasing, Bouya acknowledges that attracting tourists remains a challenge.
“The last time I welcomed guests was three nights ago,” she said, adding that she has 100 tents at her disposal, indicating both the potential and the hurdles of tourism in Mauritania.
