Despite all the rumors and machinations on various forums, Mauri turned out to be awesome; lots of police check points, but only because they didn’t want their reputation to be tarnished any more than it already has been. We free camped every night and the police were really helpful. One night we stopped early and camped away from the police and didn't check in with the next lot. They sent a car out to look for us to make sure we were alright and insisted nicely that we come and camp at the police check point as it would make them feel better.
We had a few days off in Noukchott at an overlanders hangout called Auberge Menata, where we put our tents up on the roof and chilled in the garden during the day and did some bike maintenance. Went to the beach and watched the fishermen land their catches, definitely worth a visit. Felt like real Africa.
Despite really liking Mauri we didn't stay too long, and just headed up the road to Kifa to head out to the border at Nioro. The crossing was fairly easy albeit with a bit of hassle from the Mauri customs guys who wanted to charge us some Euro's to leave. We haggled and should have just left, but ended up paying a little bit. Nothing too extravagant.