During my travels across West Africa, I stayed at Auberge Triskell in Nouakchott, Mauritania’s capital. Hawked as a quirky, bohemian guesthouse and favoured amongst travellers, I was keen to spend a couple of nights here before heading inland to the desert landscapes of Mauritania’s Adrar region.
As far as hotels in Mauritania went, it had good reviews. It was backpacker-friendly and was one of the more affordable options in this remote, offbeat country on the West African coast.
We’d left Sierra Leone with a bold quest to drive our little, but noisy tuk-tuk north to the UK on a 2-month explosive périple. After battling the sandy, almost non-existent roads in the rigid three-wheeled vehicle through Sierra Leone, Guinea and Senegal, we needed some quiet respite.
In this review, I’ll share how to get to Auberge Triskell in Nouakchott, the positives and negatives, and a deep dive into what you can expect from your stay.
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Hostel Auberge Triskell, Nouakchott, Mauritania
I talk about “we”. On this particular trip, I travelled with my dad. At 72, this was quite an arduous journey for him and quite possibly our final “big adventure” that we would be doing together. So we made our trip through Mauritania memorable!
Related post >> I’ve written a complete travel guide to visiting Mauritania, including a deep dive into the country, things to do, areas to visit, places I still want to go, safety, packing, etiquette and everything else you could ever need to know.
Hidden behind a high peachy-coloured wall in the centre of Nouakchott, Auberge Triskell is part hostel, part guesthouse, and part traveller hangout. It’s a 2-star hotel, and is the sort of place that feels a little dilapidated at first glance, but once inside, the atmosphere softens: laidback, sociable, and welcoming.
🏨 Book your stay at Auberge Triskell Nouakchott here!
The hotel was actually one of my favourite places to stay. It has rooftop huts, sandy floors, a courtyard with tables for sharing meals, and a general air of organised chaos. It’s definitely not a luxury stay, but it has a charm that draws in people from all over.
In complete contrast, Nouakchott was one of my least favourite places I visited on this trip. But, if you enjoy a laid-back vibe, security, affordability and a quaint character, Auberge Triskell is somewhere you’ll likely enjoy staying.
The hotel was pretty much empty. We visited in May, which is very hot and mostly dry, not the recommended best time to visit. This actually falls between November and March, which is why it was quiet. But anytime of the year, Mauritania feels safe.
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Auberge Triskell Quick Overview
A bit scrappy, a bit charming, and with that signature backpacker bohemian vibe, I couldn’t have been more pleased with my stay at Auberge Triskell.
Both my dad and I thought it was a quirky, colourful place that deserves talking about. So here’s my review of Auberge Triskell in Nouakchott.
Pros
- Super affordable accommodation (tents, rooftop huts, dorms, and private rooms)
- Laidback, social, and backpacker-friendly atmosphere
- Central location with parking inside the compound
- Helpful owner with great travel advice (and a free turban in my case!)
- The rooftop terrace is a unique addition.
- Large garden with an al fresco dining area
Cons
- Very basic facilities (mattress on floors, open-air bathrooms, limited lighting)
- Sand gets everywhere (showers, beds, bags…)
- Rather dilapidated – don’t expect polished lodgings
- Not very accessible for those with mobility issues
🌟 My top pick >> Join this Private full-day tour of the capital to discover the top attractions, including the National Museum of Mauritania, Fish Market and Camel Market, and learn about Mauritania’s culture and heritage from a local guide.
My Key Takeaway
Auberge Triskell is rough around the edges, but that’s exactly its charm. If you’re after a sociable, affordable, and adventurous base in Nouakchott, this is it.
The rooftop bungalows, shared courtyard meals, and unexpected generosity of the owner made it one of those quirky stays I’ll remember long after I’ve shaken the sand out of my bag!
🏨 Book your stay at Auberge Triskell Nouakchott here!
How To Get There From The Airport
Nouakchott International Airport is about a 15 to 20-minute taxi ride to the guesthouse. There’s no public transport option from the airport, so taxis are your best bet.
I suggest negotiating the price before you get in. Alternatively, you can contact the hotel to arrange a private shuttle for pickup, although this option is more expensive and not included in the room rate.
If you’re self-driving, there’s space to park inside the walled compound, which is rare for central Nouakchott.
Check-In
Check-in was relaxed and friendly. We arrived in the afternoon and were given the option to stay in either the tents or the huts. The rooms, for whatever reason, were not offered, even though the hotel was empty – it could have been a miscommunication. Check-in is all-day, and check out is typically at 12:30 pm.
Initially, we had thought to stay in the tents (for the wonder); however, once we arrived, we wanted something a little more spacious and so opted for one of the bungalows on the roof terrace.
Although the owner wasn’t around to welcome us, he arrived later in the day and went above and beyond to help with travel advice. He even gifted me a turban when I asked about buying one in town, showing me how to tie it properly.
That small gesture summed up the atmosphere: personal, informal, and generous.
Best Tours/Excursions in Mauritania
If you’re travelling in Mauritania and want to join a day trip or multi-day tour, below are three of the highest-rated Mauritania experiences.
- Nouakchott Explorer: Private full-day tour of the capital to discover the top attractions, including the National Museum of Mauritania, Fish Market and Camel Market, and learn about Mauritania’s culture and heritage from a local guide.
- 8-Day Tour in Mauritania: This tour is a great option if you prefer to visit Mauritania with an organised tour rather than solo travel. All the major stops from Nouakchott to Noudhibou are included, including the iron ore train.
- 10-day Tour of the Adrar Region: For a longer, more in-depth trip that includes all the above and extra stops like the Eye of the Sahara, Monolith of Ben Amera and Banc d’Arguin National Park, this tour is the best option if you want a guided experience.
Accommodation Options
Auberge Triskell offers ten rooms spread over two floors within a large yellow-painted concrete building centred within a walled compound and surrounded by a garden and patio area. The decor overall is pretty unique: bohemian yet rugged, colourful yet faded.
Each room is simple, with minimal furniture, but tidy and clean with tiled flooring. The novelty here is the rooftop. Split in half, basic tents line one side while wooden bungalows line the other – where my dad and I slept.
The roof terrace has obstructed views over the rooftops and a gentle breeze. The atmosphere is cosy and laid-back. Bathrooms are shared, and an open-air setup on the rooftop doubles as a shower. It’s clean enough but sandy (this is the Sahara, after all); a few of the appliances were broken.
Insider tip >> Shower before dusk, as lighting is limited.
Room Types
- Internal Rooms: There are four comfortable rooms within the building; options range from large double rooms to shared dormitories. The rooms have private bathrooms, while the dormitories have shared facilities. All are air-conditioned
- Traditional Khaima tents: Auberge Triskell offer authentic Mauritanian rooftop tents in “Le Village. They are ventilated and equipped with two beds and electricity, and offer a unique experience. Two open-air bathrooms are shared.
- Typical Habitat Bungalows: These quirky little cabins are Nouakchott’s take on urban nomad living. Built entirely by local artisans from reclaimed wood, they’re simple and full of character. Each has electricity, with two shared bathrooms just a short walk away.
The bungalows are where we stayed, after deciding the tents were a little too cosy. It was a good shift, as the bungalows are much more spacious, though still rustic. Think mattresses on the floor, a mosquito net, and the lucky addition of a fan. It’s not luxury, but for the price, it’s unbeatable.
Long-term travellers sometimes rent the bungalows. There was a French couple living in one of the tents for almost 6 months on a research project, while the tents attract those passing through quickly. However, if you’re seeking a more comfortable stay, I suggest booking one of the internal rooms.
Accessibility
Auberge Triskell Noualchott is spread across several levels, with stairs leading up to the rooftop huts and tents. The rooftop is not easily accessible for people with mobility issues; climbing the stairs proved a challenge for my dad, who at the time was suffering from a slipped disk.
On the plus side, the courtyard is flat and easy to get around, so the ground-floor spaces are more manageable.
- Parking: Inside the compound, there’s a secure area big enough for cars and 4x4s, complete with a guard. Motorhomes aren’t allowed, but there’s a separate lot just for two-wheelers: bikes, motorbikes, and even tricycles.
- Location: The guesthouse is about 6 km from Nouakchott International Airport, making it a quick taxi ride from your flight. Guests often praise the staff for their attentive service, and the location works well if you want to explore the city.
The restaurant is on the ground floor, which is accessible.
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Hostel Amenities
Hotel Auberge Triskell in Nouakchott is geared towards budget travellers and backpackers; however, being one of the more popular accommodations in the area, it offers a few basic amenities.
- Courtyard patio with tables for meals or chatting with other guests
- Rooftop terrace with shaded sofas and communal areas
- Parking space for vehicles inside the compound
- A small shop selling essentials (and sometimes souvenirs like turbans!)
- Pets are allowed. No extra charges.
Wellbeing & Leisure Facilities
Instead of fancy gyms or spas, Auberge Triskell offers its own kind of downtime. There’s a rooftop terrace where you can sprawl on low sofas, a shady courtyard for outdoor meals, and plenty of spots to sip tea or chat with travellers.
It’s a simple setup, but the social vibe more than makes up for the lack of frills. It’s perfect if you’re a backpacker or solo traveller looking to swap stories rather than count laps in a pool!
Excursions
One of the highlights of staying here is the advice you get from the owner. He provided detailed instructions on how to reach Terjit by public transport, and even gave me recommendations for where to stay once there (like Hotel Camp Jamel, which requires a pickup from the bus stop).
If you’re not travelling independently, from Auberge Triskell, there are plenty of connections with local travel agencies, private drivers and tour guides to help plan your trip.
Most tours depart from Nouakchott and include visits to the Terjit Oasis (my favourite place in Mauritania), the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Chinguetti and Guelb er Richat (Eye of the Sahara), all in the Adrar region – the most popular region to visit in Mauritania.
For the more adventurous, you can jump on the Iron Ore Train and journey to Nouadhibou (not my favourite place, at all!), or even the Tagant region, south of the Adrar Plateau and accessed via a separate road.
Dining Experience
At check-in, we were told about the dining options. There is an on-site restaurant and bar, and the morning menu features a buffet breakfast from 6:00 AM.
Breakfast
The breakfast was included in our room rate and featured a simple spread of scrambled eggs, bread, jams, yoghurt and fresh fruit, coffee, tea and fresh juices.
It was good, filling and plentiful.
Auberge Triskell’s Restaurant
Nakhletein Restaurant is the name of the on-site restaurant, which fuses French and Mauritanian cuisine.
Meals can be ordered on-site, and the food is hearty, simple, and affordable. I tried the camel stew (my first time eating camel), and while it was a little chewy, the flavour was surprisingly delicious. Dining often happens in the courtyard, so it feels communal.
It’s a family-friendly restaurant that welcomes people staying outside the hostel and serves halal, vegetarian, vegan, and dairy-free options. Open for brunch, lunch and dinner, it’s a decent place to grab a meal.
Triskell’s Rooftop Terrace & Patio
The rooftop terrace is the star of the show. Sandy floors, shaded corners with low sofas, and a mix of tents and huts lining the edges give it a bohemian desert feel. At night, it’s breezy and perfect for socialising. The courtyard downstairs, meanwhile, is where you’ll likely enjoy breakfast.
Top Things To Do In Nouakchott
While you’re in Nouakchott, make time for:
- Port de Pêche (the fishing port): Watch the brightly painted pirogues return at sunset — one of the most iconic scenes in Mauritania.
- Nouakchott Fish Market: Right by the port, chaotic and colourful.
- National Museum of Mauritania: Small but worth a stop for history buffs.
- Camel Market: On the edge of town, a surreal and dusty spectacle.
- Local tea sessions: Everywhere you go, Mauritanians are brewing sweet green tea; join in when invited.
Practical Tips & Advice For Visiting Mauritania
Do you need a visa to enter Mauritania?
To enter Mauritania, obtaining an electronic visa is mandatory. Simplify your procedures by applying for your visa online now at http://visamr.com
Apply for e-visa online before entering Mauritania – here. The e-visa costs €55 or $60 and must be paid on arrival in Mauritania in exact cash in Euros or US dollars – change is not given.
No, it’s best to stick to bottled or filtered water. Tap water isn’t safe to drink, and even locals usually boil it first.
In Mauritania, you’ll find shared taxis, bush taxis, and 4x4s. Roads are rough in places. I used the shared taxis, which are in essence minibuses; they tend to leave when full. I also used a private driver, who drove us around in an old, beat-up sedan!
Mauritanian uses the Mauritanian ouguiya (MRU). Cash is essential.
Nouakchott has ATMs that accept foreign bank cards, but they are scarce, and there are few ATMs or bank facilities in the rest of the country. Withdrawal limits can be low, and ATMs regularly run out of money.
Internet connectivity is very basic in Mauritania; it’s slow and patchy in rural areas.
It’s worth purchasing a local SIM to keep roaming costs down, but even in the capital, the signal is not so great.
Mostly yes, with common sense. Border zones can be unstable – check current advice.
Yes – but modest dress and confidence are key.
No. It’s illegal to import, buy, or consume alcohol.
End Note: Auberge Triskell Nouakchott
Auberge Triskell isn’t for everyone. It’s basic, sandy, and a little rough around the edges, but if you’re a backpacker, overlander, or just someone looking for a welcoming, budget-friendly base in Nouakchott, it’s a gem.
The rooftop bungalows are a novelty, the atmosphere is friendly and communal, and the advice you’ll get from the owner and fellow travellers is invaluable for planning trips inland.
I’d happily recommend it for adventurous travellers who value character and charm over polish and perfection.
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