Mauritania Rock Climbing

Mauritania is a French-speaking Islamic country in northwest Africa. From a climbing perspective, as of 02-2025, there are two developed climbing areas and potential for many more. The larger area is Ben Amera, which is located about three-hours drive to the northwest of Atar and roughly 10km from the border with Western Sahara. Ben Amera and adjacent formations are granite domes up to about 800-feet-high. The other area, a sandstone sport climbing area, is located near MHaireth, which is roughly a 90-minute drive east of Atar.

The climbing is in the Sahara Desert and the optimum time to visit is December-February.

While it's possible to travel on your own, Kadi Mehdi (kadimehdi93@gmail.com) runs a well-organized tourism business that supports European tourists and climbers. One of his guides, Dah Aima, has been taught climbing by French climbers and knows all of the climbs at both Ben Amera and MHaireth. Kadi's company can pick you up anywhere in Mauritania (like at the Atar or Noukchatt airports) and drop you off wherever you wish. He will also take you to the World Heritage Sites of Ouadane and Chinguetti if you desire (both are highly recommended, as is the oasis at Terjit).

Check the US Department of State website for security concerns and visa requirements. 

To climb at Ben Amera, you should have a current membership with Medecines et Montagnes du Monde. Having this membership informs the local police that you are sanctioned to climb at Ben Amera.

A guidebook to Ben Amera was produced in 2023 (in French). An updated version (also in French) should be available in summer, 2025.