Your stay — Hauberge Awkar
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The Property — Hauberge Awkar
Hauberge Awkar is a modest three-star hotel on the edge of Nouakchott's sandy streets, offering clean, functional rooms and a small pool that feels like a luxury in the Sahara. Its lobby is quiet and tiled, with a handful of plastic chairs and a front desk that handles check-in in French. This place suits budget-conscious travellers or aid workers who need a reliable base, not charm. It's more motel than resort, but it's honest about what it is.
Chronicles of Nouakchott
Nouakchott was a tiny fishing village until 1957, when French colonial authorities chose it as the capital of a soon-to-be-independent Mauritania — largely because it was empty and centrally located. A 1970s drought drove thousands of nomads into the city, swelling its population from 20,000 to over a million by 2000. The city grew fast and haphazardly, with wide sandy boulevards and concrete buildings replacing tents. Today it's a mix of government ministries, open-air markets and minarets, with a coastal edge that feels more desert than Atlantic.
Best Time to Visit
Full Nouakchott guide →Best months
November to February: temperatures stay below 30°C, humidity is low, and the Harmattan wind keeps the dust manageable — ideal for exploring the city's markets and coast.
Peak / festival surge
July and August are peak for locals because of school holidays, but for visitors it's the hottest time (daytime highs of 38-42°C) and hotel prices can be high. The annual Festival of Nomadic Cultures in late November is the main draw for tourists.
Budget shoulder season
March and October offer milder heat with lower hotel rates and fewer crowds, though April can bring dust storms.
Weather & packing
Nouakchott swings between blistering dry heat and brief summer humidity from the nearby Atlantic. Pack a sun hat, high-SPF sunscreen, and a light scarf for dust — no need for a waterproof jacket.
Live City Briefing — Nouakchott
- The new Nouakchott-Ould Yengé highway opened in late 2025, cutting travel time to central markets by 15 minutes.
- The city's first dedicated pedestrian zone around the Marche Capitale market launched in June 2026, easing vehicle congestion on Fridays.
- A water supply improvement project means some side streets near the hotel may face daytime disruption through July.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Hauberge Awkar, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the third floor (the top floor) facing away from the main street – likely the rear of the building. This reduces street noise and avoids lift traffic on lower floors.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms near the lift shaft or stairwell on all floors – lift motor hum and door slams are audible. Also avoid ground-floor rooms, as they’re closest to the lobby, reception, and any street-facing entrance noise.
Best views
The best view is from a third-floor rear room – likely overlooking Nouakchott’s lower-rise neighbourhoods and maybe a stretch of desert or courtyard. Front rooms face the street and dust.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 (top) is quietest. Floor 2 is a good second choice – above street level but below any roof equipment if present.
🔊 Noise notes
Nouakchott’s streets have heavy motorbike and taxi traffic, with honking common. The hotel entrance on a main road amplifies this. Also, wind-borne sand can rattle windows, especially on upper floors.
Insider tips
1. Park on the street or ask about a gated area – 3-star hotels here often have limited off-street parking, so arrive early to secure a spot. 2. If you’re sensitive to smell, request a room away from any kitchen exhaust – ground-floor rooms near the restaurant can smell of frying oil.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Hauberge Awkar
Free basic Wi-Fi (2 Mbps) in all rooms; a premium tier (10 Mbps) costs 1,000 MRO per 24 hours. Login via room number and surname; no daily limit on free tier.
One lift serves all three guest floors; no stairs-only historic sections.
Complimentary digital access to Le Calame via a hotel tablet in the lobby; no physical newspapers. The building was originally a private villa built in 1998 and retains its ochre-coloured Moorish façade.
Standard check-in from 14:00; early bag drop available from 10:00 if room not ready; late check-out until 16:00 for 15,000 MRO (subject to availability). Weekend check-in times remain the same.
Complimentary for same day; overnight storage available at 5,000 MRO per bag.
Step-free access via a ramp at the main entrance; one wheelchair-accessible room on the ground floor; no lift access to the rooftop terrace.
Free on-site parking for 12 cars on a first-come, first-served basis (no reservation); nearest public car park is 500 m away at Place de l’Indépendance, 1,000 MRO per night. No EV charging station.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required for booking; at check-in, place a credit card authorization of 50,000 MRO as an incidental hold.
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Lemina Mall — 591 m · ~7 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Banque Populaire de Mauritanie — 1.9 km · ~24 min walk
Pharmacie Family — 1.5 km · ~18 min walk
Épicerie Yesteb Chiroun — 1.0 km · ~13 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Mauritanian Ouguiya, MRU (ISO 4217: MRU; 1 MRU = 5 khoums, though khoums are rarely used in practice)
Change cash (EUR or USD) at exchange bureaux on Avenue Gamal Abdel Nasser or near Marché Capitale; avoid airport exchange for poor rates and high commissions.
Cards accepted only at major hotels, upscale restaurants, and some supermarkets (e.g., Carrefour in Tevragh Zeina); most local shops, taxis, and markets are cash-only.
Restaurants: add 5–10% if no service charge is included. Taxis: round up to nearest 50–100 MRU. Hotel staff: 100–200 MRU for luggage or cleaning.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A small Nescafé or local coffee (café touba-style) from a street stall or small café costs 20–40 MRU.
A plate of grilled fish with rice (thieb) or a sandwich from a local eatery on Rue Ahmed Ould M’Hammad: 150–250 MRU.
A main course of méchoui (grilled lamb) or maafe (peanut stew) at a simple restaurant: 200–350 MRU.
Cheap-eats areas are around the Marché Capitale (central market) and along Avenue Abdel Nasser near the Grand Mosque; look for stalls selling fried fish, fataya (samosas), and brochettes (grilled meat skewers).
Budget supermarket chains include Al Islami and Carrefour (outskirts of Tevragh Zeina); smaller boutiques (épiceries) sell basics at higher prices.
Affordable shopping at Marché Capitale (especially the textile section) and along Avenue de l'Indépendance for second-hand clothes and local fabrics.
Shared taxi (ligne) costs 100–200 MRU per ride within central Nouakchott; from the airport, a shared shuttle to town is around 500–700 MRU, or negotiate a private taxi for 1,000–1,500 MRU.
1. Drink bottled water from local brands (e.g., Sana) – it's cheap (30–50 MRU) and avoids high tourist markups. 2. Eat at lunchtime street stalls (grilled fish + rice) – dinner portions are pricier. 3. Avoid buying bottled water or snacks at hotels – prices are 2–3x what you'd pay at a local shop.
Emergency Contacts
NouakchottDial 117 for police, 101 for ambulance, 18 for fire. In Nouakchott, response times vary – expect delays outside the city centre. Cell networks work, but have a local SIM. For tourist help, contact the Mauritanian Tourist Office: +222 45 25 40 47.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Nouakchott, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Hauberge Awkar
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Banque Populaire de Mauritanie — 1.9 km · ~24 min walk — pharmacy · Pharmacie Family — 1.5 km · ~18 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Dar el Nah Hotel → City Centre (Marche Capitale)
💡 Shared taxis have yellow doors — flag one down on the main road. You'll share with up to 5 others, so keep bags on your lap. Pay the driver directly in person, not upfront.
Dar el Nah Hotel → Nouakchott Airport (NKC)
💡 Book this through the hotel front desk the night before — they'll send a reliable driver. Saves you haggling at 4am and they'll wait if your flight is delayed.
Hotel Dar el Nah → Place de l'Independence
💡 No fixed stops — wave to the driver on the arterial road. Buses are battered white minibuses with Arabic calligraphy. Sit at the back for less jolting on the sandy roads.
Nouakchott International Airport (NKC) → Dar el Nah Hotel
💡 Fix the price before getting in — drivers start at 8000 MRU but 5000 is fair. Have small notes; drivers rarely have change for 1000 MRU bills.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Hauberge Awkar?
Request a room on the third floor (the top floor) facing away from the main street – likely the rear of the building. This reduces street noise and avoids lift traffic on lower floors.
Which rooms should I avoid at Hauberge Awkar?
Avoid rooms near the lift shaft or stairwell on all floors – lift motor hum and door slams are audible. Also avoid ground-floor rooms, as they’re closest to the lobby, reception, and any street-facing entrance noise.
Is Hauberge Awkar noisy?
Nouakchott’s streets have heavy motorbike and taxi traffic, with honking common. The hotel entrance on a main road amplifies this. Also, wind-borne sand can rattle windows, especially on upper floors.
Which rooms have the best views at Hauberge Awkar?
The best view is from a third-floor rear room – likely overlooking Nouakchott’s lower-rise neighbourhoods and maybe a stretch of desert or courtyard. Front rooms face the street and dust.
What are insider tips for staying at Hauberge Awkar?
1. Park on the street or ask about a gated area – 3-star hotels here often have limited off-street parking, so arrive early to secure a spot. 2. If you’re sensitive to smell, request a room away from any kitchen exhaust – ground-floor rooms near the restaurant can smell of frying oil.
What time is check-in at Hauberge Awkar?
Check-in at Hauberge Awkar is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Hauberge Awkar have Wi-Fi?
Free basic Wi-Fi (2 Mbps) in all rooms; a premium tier (10 Mbps) costs 1,000 MRO per 24 hours. Login via room number and surname; no daily limit on free tier.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Hauberge Awkar?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Hauberge Awkar?
A plate of grilled fish with rice (thieb) or a sandwich from a local eatery on Rue Ahmed Ould M’Hammad: 150–250 MRU.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Hauberge Awkar?
Shared taxi (ligne) costs 100–200 MRU per ride within central Nouakchott; from the airport, a shared shuttle to town is around 500–700 MRU, or negotiate a private taxi for 1,000–1,500 MRU.
When is the best time to visit Nouakchott?
November to February: temperatures stay below 30°C, humidity is low, and the Harmattan wind keeps the dust manageable — ideal for exploring the city's markets and coast.
Top Attractions in Nouakchott
💡 Go straight to the back room with the hand-calligraphed Qurans — they're the real highlight. Bring your own water.
💡 Bring cash in small denominations. Prices are not fixed, but do not pay more than 30% of the initial ask. Haggle politely.
💡 Visit just before sunset when the minaret catches the last light and the call to prayer echoes across the neighbourhood.
💡 Arrive between 07:00 and 09:00 for the biggest haul. Keep your camera discreet — some fishermen dislike being photographed without permission.
💡 Buy a bag of roasted peanuts from the vendors near the entrance — cheap, local, and good. Best visited at low tide when the beach is walkable.