Mauritania seeks to revive tourism after period of insecurity

Fatima Cheikh Mohammad Bouya scans the vast, rocky landscape outside her thatch-roof tent, hoping to catch sight of approaching guests. As custodian of the Richat Structure, also known as the "Eye of Africa," she is one of hundreds of locals benefiting from Mauritania's slow revival as a travel destination.

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This whole area is my family’s land.

The colossal circular formation, measuring about 40km in diameter, lies in the rugged terrain of the Adrar Plateau. Its domed rings, visible from the sky, have fueled legends of being the site of the lost city of Atlantis, adding to its appeal for adventurers. Bouya hopes travellers will buy stones shaped like the structure or stay overnight, experiencing the desert sky and local hospitality.

Mauritania, a country about 90 percent desert and situated at the crossroads of North and West Africa, once attracted around 30,000 tourists annually. However, a period of insecurity halted this flow. The government is now intensifying marketing campaigns, and early indications point to success. Travel expert Sean Connolly, who named Mauritania his 2026 destination of the year for The Times of London, noted that the country's safety is a primary attraction. "Mauritania is left at the top of an increasingly short list of destinations where you can freely and safely explore the Sahara," Connolly told Al Jazeera.

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Mauritania is having a bit of a moment in the travel world.

Despite the positive outlook, the country's past insecurity has taken a toll. The tourism sector experienced a golden age in the early to mid-2000s, with large numbers of visitors arriving during the cooler months. The government's renewed focus on marketing and safety aims to recapture that momentum and rebuild the industry.

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Mauritania is left at the top of an increasingly short list of destinations where you can freely and safely explore the Sahara.