Ya Marhaba VIP Lounge

Ya Marhaba VIP Lounge – Nouakchott (NKC)

Flying out of Nouakchott airport is a simple affair. With a straightforward drive from Mauritania’s capital city, just a handful of flights a day, and typically thin crowds, there is no need to arrive at the airport excessively early. Yet, Nouakchott airport has two VIP spaces: a separate terminal for dignitaries and customers who purchase the airport’s VIP service, and an airside lounge in the main terminal for premium customers.

The airside VIP Lounge, also known as Ya Marhaba VIP Lounge, is located after security and immigration, opposite gate 5. The lounge isn’t explicitly signposted (in fact, outdated signs direct passengers towards gate 1), but the entrance is easy to find within the small and somewhat spartan terminal.

The lounge welcomes business class and elite customers traveling with Mauritania’s flag carrier, Mauritania Airlines, as well as those flying with Turkish Airlines, Air France, and a few other carriers.

Ya Marhaba VIP Lounge NKC design

Nestled on the far left of the departures terminal, the VIP Lounge at Nouakchott airport accommodates just about 30 guests. While compact, it’s typically quiet given the airport’s thin flight schedule.

Seating area at the VIP Lounge Nouakchott

With hardwood floors, clean lines, and a soothing neutral color palette reminiscent of the Sahara, the space feels inviting and fresh, despite a few signs of wear and tear. The lounge has a couple of windows overlooking an equipment staging area—sadly, there are no runway views.

Large, plush seats are organized in groups of two to four, with a handful of lattice partitions for privacy. Universal power outlets can be found in the side consoles separating the seats. The seating layout is relatively spacious, though some coffee tables are located uncomfortably close to the seats, and too heavy and bulky to be moved.

The best feature is undoubtedly the reliable and powerful air conditioning. The lounge is kept at a comfortable temperature, and sheer curtains help keep the desert heat at bay.

Ya Marhaba VIP Lounge NKC amenities

The Ya Marhaba VIP Lounge at Nouakchott airport features a range of essential amenities.

Buffet at the VIP Lounge Nouakchott

Guests will find a cooler with water bottles, soda, and local (read: sweet) juices, as well as two Nespresso machines and a tea kettle. (There is no alcohol, per local customs.) Food options include a salad bar, a variety of pastries, fruit salad, and desserts. While the selection is probably decent when it’s fresh, the spread looked tired when we visited, having been left unattended for hours given the light traffic.

The lounge has its own dedicated Wi-Fi access point, offering unlimited usage (unlike the airport’s public network which is limited to one hour.) However, when we visited, it was down.

The last noteworthy amenity is the clean and spacious bathroom, which is equipped with Dyson faucets and hand dryers.

Ya Marhaba VIP Lounge NKC bottom line

Ya Marhaba VIP Lounge – Nouakchott (NKC)

The airside VIP Lounge at Nouakchott airport is a basic but pleasant and clean facility with comfortable seating, a modest snack selection, cold beverages, a clean bathroom, and reliable air conditioning.

The space does have noticeable signs of wear and tear, Wi-Fi is unreliable, the food selection might be questionable, and the airport staff has a tendency to use the club as a break room. Regardless, the VIP Lounge at Nouakchott airport is significantly above average for western Africa and a pleasant place to wait for a flight in private and quiet surroundings.