Popular backpacker hostel in Nouakchott offering clean dormitory and private rooms at budget prices. Friendly atmosphere and good source of travel information.
Auberge Menata operates as Nouakchott's most established traveler-focused guesthouse, occupying a converted villa in Tevragh Zeina. The property is frequently cited on overland travel forums as a staging point for the trans-Saharan route and for travelers crossing into Senegal or Mali. It sits within easy walking distance of several good local restaurants and a 10-minute taxi ride from the central market. Nouakchott-Oumtounsy Airport is roughly 22 km by road.
The villa-style building centers on a shaded courtyard where guests congregate to exchange route information and arrange shared transport. Architecture is typical domestic Mauritanian construction: rendered block walls, iron grille windows, and a flat roof used for evening socializing during cooler months. The atmosphere is informal and communal, functioning more like a traveler hub than a commercial hotel.
Accommodation consists of multi-bed dormitory rooms with bunk beds and basic linen, and a small number of private twin or double rooms for those preferring more privacy. Both dormitory and private rooms share tiled corridor bathrooms with intermittent hot water. Ceiling fans are standard; air conditioning is available in some private rooms for an additional charge.
Meals are not formally offered beyond basic breakfast items — bread, coffee, and tea — available each morning in the courtyard. A shared kitchen allows guests to prepare their own food using communal equipment. The management maintains a current noticeboard with transport and visa information and can advise on desert crossings, border formalities, and recommended local guides for Saharan excursions.
Luggage storage is available for guests making day trips. The property is not suited to business travelers requiring private facilities, but for budget travelers and overland adventurers it provides reliable, clean accommodation at accessible prices with the added value of a well-connected information network.
Amenities
- shared kitchen
- WiFi
- common area
- travel advice
- luggage storage
Location
Tevragh Zeina, Nouakchott
18.0878, -15.9710 View on map
Highlights
- Established base camp for trans-Saharan and overland travelers transiting Nouakchott, with an active route-information network
- Communal courtyard functions as an informal exchange for current conditions on desert crossings and border formalities
- Dormitory beds at some of the lowest nightly rates available in Nouakchott, with private room option for those seeking more space
- Shared kitchen allows self-catering, reducing food costs for long-stay travelers
- Management can assist with shared transport arrangements to the Senegal and Mali border crossings
Tips for visiting
- Book dormitory beds in advance during November through February when overland traveler traffic peaks on the trans-Saharan route
- Bring your own padlock for dormitory room lockers — padlocks are not supplied by the property
- Stock provisions from the central market nearby before cooking in the shared kitchen; the kitchen has basic equipment but no stock
- Ask staff about current road and border conditions before setting out on desert routes — their information is often more current than official advisories