🇲🇷 One-Day Travel Guide to Nouakchott, Mauritania

I recently had a layover in Nouakchott and hired a local guide to explore the city. While the capital isn’t packed with attractions, here are the highlights from my trip! 📍 Must-Visit Spots 1️⃣ Camel Market 🐪 Hundreds of camels traded here daily—a chaotic but fascinating local experience! 2️⃣ Mosque Saudique 🕌 Best photographed from above! Head to AI Khaima Hotel’s rooftop café for a perfect city + mosque view. 3️⃣ National Museum 🏛️ Tiny (just 2 floors), takes 30 mins max. (1st floor was closed when I visited.) 4️⃣ Central Market 🛍️ Near the mosque—great for handicrafts & souvenirs! 5️⃣ Fish Market 🐟🚤 Famous for its colorful fishing boats—one of Nouakchott’s few "Instagrammable" spots! 6️⃣ FASQ Hotel Rooftop 🌆 The city’s only 5-star hotel—panoramic views from the top! 🚖 Transport Tips Taxis are yellow 🚕 (privately owned, just painted to look official). Shared rides only—3 people in front, 4 in back! (Yes, it’s a squeeze.) ⚠️ Border Control WARNING! Mauritanian customs target Chinese travelers for bribes! Here’s what happened to me: On arrival: Officer made the 🤌 money gesture at me (I pretended not to understand). On departure: Stopped TWICE—first for "extra document checks," then taken to a backroom with no cameras to search my bag for cash 💸. Only me—other nationalities passed freely! 🛡️ Survival Tips: Run off the plane first 🏃—customs hassle stragglers. Carry minimal cash (limit: €500)—they’ll dig through your stuff if you have more! Ignore airport staff—even baggage handlers ask for bribes. #Mauritania #TravelAfrica #Nouakchott #OffTheBeatenPath