In planning mode - how much budget should I keep in mind for Mauritania - any experiences?
I'd recommend a budget of about $90 a day for a comfortable trip to Mauritania. You'll find that many things are more expensive than you'd expect. hotel is limited, with guesthouses starting at around 3,000 MRU. The lack of reliable public transport means you'll spend more on taxis and negotiated rides. It's a beautiful country, but you'll want a decent budget to be comfortable and safe, especially on longer journeys.
My trip to Mauritania was more of a luxury experience, and my daily budget was well over $150. I stayed at a nicer hotel like the Hotel Semiramis City Center in Nouakchott for over 8,000 MRU a night. I had a pre-arranged tour package that included a driver and all my meals, which made the trip much more comfortable. The food at tourist-oriented restaurants is expensive, and a meal can easily be over 2,000 MRU. This is a very expensive country to travel in, so your budget should reflect that.
If you're planning a trip to Mauritania, you'll need to prepare for a significant budget. A mid-range daily budget is probably closer to $80-$100. This covers a more safe hotel, which is highly recommended, and a personal driver for travel outside Nouakchott. You'll want to eat at places that are hygienic, which often means paying a little more. Taxis in the city are cheap, about 500 MRU for a short ride. The biggest expense will be activities like a trip on the Iron Ore Train or a visit to the Sahara.
Mauritania is not a typical tourist destination, and a budget is a major consideration. A budget traveler should plan for around $40-$60 a day. I found that basic guesthouses in Nouakchott cost around 2,000-3,000 MRU per night. For food, street food is the way to go; a meal is about 200-300 MRU. The biggest challenge is transportation. Shared taxis are the most affordable option for intercity travel, with a trip from Nouakchott to Atar costing about 4,000 MRU.