Volunteering Mauritania! Go Volunteer Africa, the leading and largest volunteer travel organization welcomes you to Mauritania. Mauritania is a land of striking beauty and deep-rooted tradition, where vast Saharan dunes meet the Atlantic coast and ancient caravan routes still echo stories of resilience and exchange.
Often untouched by mass tourism, Mauritania offers volunteers and travelers a rare opportunity to experience Africa in its most authentic and soulful form. From the historic desert cities of Chinguetti and Ouadane—UNESCO World Heritage Sites and centers of Islamic learning—to nomadic cultures that have thrived for centuries, Mauritania is rich in history, wisdom, and cultural pride. Hospitality here is not just a custom; it is a way of life. Visitors are welcomed as guests, friends, and partners in progress.
Through Go Volunteer Africa, volunteers and tourists can engage directly with community-led programs that address real needs while respecting local traditions. Our projects focus on education, youth development, women’s empowerment, health awareness, environmental conservation, and sustainable livelihoods. Each program is designed to foster collaboration, knowledge sharing, and long-term community benefit.
Volunteering in Mauritania means becoming part of daily life—teaching and learning side by side, supporting grassroots initiatives, and gaining insight into a culture shaped by desert endurance, faith, and unity. Beyond service, participants enjoy cultural immersion through traditional music, storytelling, tea ceremonies, local cuisine, and breathtaking desert landscapes.
Mauritania is ideal for volunteers and travelers seeking purposeful travel, cultural depth, and meaningful human connection. It’s a destination for those who want to contribute, learn, and explore beyond the usual paths—while making a positive difference. With Go Volunteer Africa, your journey to Mauritania becomes more than travel; it becomes a partnership with communities, a lesson in resilience, and a life-changing experience.
Geographically part of the Maghreb, Mauritania is a land about desert and ocean. It is of course no wonder that the main attractions for most tourists are the desert in Adrar and the Tagant areas (around Atar), and the ocean in Banc d’Arguin (a natural reserve with dunes ending in the sea, full of millions of birds and protected by UNESCO).
MAURITANIA FAST FACTS
Mauritania, officially the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, is a sovereign state in Northwest Africa. It is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the west, Western Sahara to the north and northwest, Algeria to the northeast, Mali to the east and southeast, and Senegal to the southwest. Mauritania is the eleventh largest country in Africa, and 90 percent of its territory is situated in the Sahara. Most of its population of 4.4 million lives in the temperate south of the country, with roughly one third concentrated in the capital and largest city, Nouakchott, located on the Atlantic coast.
Mauritania is culturally and politically part of the Arab world: it is a member of the Arab League and Arabic is the sole official language. Reflecting its colonial heritage, French is widely spoken and serves as a lingua franca. The official religion is Islam, and almost all inhabitants are Sunni Muslims. Despite its prevailing Arab identity, Mauritanian society is multiethnic: the Bidhan, or so-called “white moors”, make up 30 percent of the population, while the Haratin, or so-called “black moors”, comprise 40 percent. Both groups reflect a fusion of Arab-Berber ethnicity, language, and culture. The remaining 30 percent of the population comprises various sub-Saharan ethnic groups.
- CAPITAL: Nouakchott
- DAILING CODE: +222
- MONEY: Ouguiya (MRO)
- POPULATION: 4,005,475 (approx)
- COUNTRY SIZE: 1,030,700 sq km
- OFFICIAL NAME: Islamic Republic of Mauritania
- LANGUAGE: Hassaniya Arabic (official), Wolof (official), French
MAURITANIA VOLUNTEER PROJECTS
There are currently no openings for volunteering in Mauritania. New volunteer projects will be announced here when available. We are not accepting volunteers at the moment for this destination and it’s not available as choice in our volunteer application form.
If you have any questions about volunteering in Mauritania, simply Make an inquiry here and we will guide! If you are running, know or involved with a meaningful development project in Mauritania that needs volunteers’ support, then Go Volunteer Africa is here to help them, visit our host volunteers page.
