Rosso is the capital of the Trarza region and is located in the extreme south of the region. The town, which has a population of 75,000, is of particular importance as a Mauritanian-Senegalese border crossing. The ferry across the Senegal River, which connects Rosso with Rosso, runs daily from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. and 3 p.m.-6 p.m. (as of May 31, 2021). You read that right. On the Senegalese side, the border town is also called Rosso which goes back to a time when there were no borders between Mauritania and Senegal. Therefore, the official spelling is Rosso (Mauritania) and Rosso (Senegal). Because of its border location, Rosso is one of the most important economic centers in Mauritania's south. Although the most important one, Rosso is not the only crossing point into Senegal. There is also a rather seldom-used crossing in Diama, further west, which is suitable for border crossings from the Diawling National Park. Rosso itself is not a pretty town. Here, too, enormous population growth combined with inadequate urban planning is noticeable. But it is one of the very few places in Mauritania where there is a church. The place at the Senegal River is not embedded in any planned tours, however, we can basically conclude any tour with a trip to Rosso, should you wish to travel to Senegal. We can also help with the paperwork, for more info see FAQ.
