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Best Tourist Places to Visit in Chinguitti, Mauritania, Africa

Chinguitti, also spelled Chinguetti, is a medieval trading centre lying on the Adrar Plateau in the northern part of Mauritania, between 20°27′ N latitude and 12°21′ W longitude. Being a historic city, Chinguitti draws thousands of tourists year round, mainly for both its ruined and well preserved historic structures, ancient libraries and scenic environment, of which the highlighted one is the Friday Mosque of Chinguetti. The old part of Chinguitti also holds five prominent manuscript libraries with typical and valuable scientific and Qur’anic texts. Chinguitti is situated around 520 km northeast of Nouakchott, the capital of Mauritania and around 80 km east of Atar.

History of Chinguitti:

According to the local belief, Chinguitti originated in the year 777 and became a trading point for Sanhadja Confederation in the 11th century. After nearly two long centuries, Chinguitti was re-founded as a centre of trans-Saharan trade route in the 13th century and some building from this period still can be seen in the site.

How to reach Chinguitti?

There is no major airport in and around Chinguitti, although there, flights are not scheduled. So international visitors can take suggestion of reaching Nouakchott International Airport first and afterwards, they can take an airport taxi or pre-booked private transfer to get Chinguitti.

As the city is small, visitors are not needed to use private vehicle to get around Chinguitti, if they wish, can use vehicle what they used private transfer to travel Chinguitti from Nouakchott.

Culture, Food and Shopping in Chinguitti:

Culturally, Chinguitti is the capital of Mauritania, housing the national symbol of the country, the Friday Mosque of Chinguetti. The city also houses five manuscript libraries.

Chinguitti has no standard food corners and shops, so it would be better if one bring essentials before leaving Atar or any city where they start journey.

Things to do in Chinguitti:

• Visiting archeological sites
• Walking

Tourist Attractions in Chinguitti:

The Friday Mosque of Chinguitti:

The Friday Mosque of Chinguetti is a landmark historic mosque, dating from the 13^th century. It is considered as one of the symbols of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania as its magnificent minaret holds a dignity of the 2^nd oldest in continuous operation among Muslim countries.

Islamic library:

There are five famous manuscript libraries in the historic part of Chinguitti that are filled with scientific and Qur’anic texts, of which most are from the later Middle Ages.

Atar:

Atar is a town, situated around 80 km west of Chinguitti, housing a range of attractions, including the Atar Museum, Atar Mosque and prominent traditional market with a wide selection of colorful locally produced products.

Ouadane:

Ouadane is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, located on the southern tip of the Adrar Plateau, around 120 km northeast of Chinguitti. Including the symbolic Richat Structure, Ouadane houses many historic buildings having centuries of history.

Other places of interests in and around Chinguitti are as follows:

• Terjit
• Banc d’Arguin National Park
• Atar Market
• Beaches in Nouakchott
• National Museum of Mauritania
• University of Nouakchott
• Nouakchott Silver Market
• Stade Olympique
• Nouakchott Museum
• National Library in Nouakchott
• Cathedral of St. Joseph
• Franco-Mauritanian Cultural Center

Best time to visit Chinguitti:

Chinguitti generally experiences a hot climate year round and the ideal time to visit Chinguitti is from January to May.

Accommodation Options in Chinguitti:

Finding standard hotels at Chinguitti is a great task for visitors, it is advised for visitors to consider hotels at nearby Atar or the national capital, Nouakchott for healthy hospitality services. Some modernized hotels in Chinguitti, Atar (80 km) and Nouakchott (520 km) are as follows:

• Auberge Menata
• Hotel Mouna
• Hotel El Waha
• Hotel Semiramis Nouakchott
• The Auberge Bab Sahara
• Residence IMAN
• Hotel Halima
• Mauricenter Hotel
• Hotel Emira
• Hotel Tfeila
• Hotel Atlantique Nouakchott
• Hotel Ikrama
• Auberge Diaguili
• Maison d’hotes Jeloua
• Monotel Hotel
• Boudarge & Inimich Apart-Hotel
• Chambres d’Hotes Naga

Boutilimit Tourist Places to Visit in Boutilimit, Trarza, Mauritania, Africa

Boutilimit is a town situated in the Trarza region of Mauritania, located around 160 km southeast of the national capital, Nouakchott. It is especially noted as the prominent site of religious training in Mauritania. The popularity of Boutilimit is also extended by the production of handicraft items, mainly silver crafts and rugs. There is a Qur’anic school with a library in Boutilimit.

Boutilimit is also noted as the hometown of the first president of the independent Mauritania, Moktar Ould Daddah, who was in seat from 1960 to 1978. Boutilimit was establsihed in the 19th Century by an Islamic mystic and scholar.Boutilimit is geographically positioned between 17°31′ N latitude and 14°46′ W longitude.

How to reach Boutilimit?

Boutilimit is served by the Nouakchott International Airport, the most important airport of Mauritania, situated in the capital city, Nouakchott, around 150 km away from Boutilimit. The airport operates flights from and to Madrid, Abidjan, Casablanca, Bamako, Brazzaville, Istanbul, Dakar, Gran Canaria, Casablanca, Conakry, Paris, Algiers and many other global destinations.

Boutilimit is located on the national highway N3 that leads Boutilimit to Nouakchott. Buses are regular between this route and for comfortable travel, visitors can use pre-booked private transfer.

Food and Shopping in Boutilimit:

Boutilimit is famous as a prominent religious training centre in Mauritania. The first president of Mauritania, Moktar Ould Daddah, was born in Boutilimit.

Handicraft items are relatively cheaper in Boutilimit compared to other parts of the country and the products like rugs and silver crafts are worth a price. The town also houses some traditional restaurants.

Things to do in Boutilimit:

• Visiting library
• Shopping
• Walking

What to see in Boutilimit?

Qur’anic school in Boutilimit:

Boutilimit is home to a Qur’anic school, founded by Shaykh Sidiyya “al-Kabir”. The school is famous for its library that features well preserved manuscripts.

Boutilimit Airport:

The Boutilimit Airport is one of the major landmarks of Boutilimit and although the airport is currently not served by any flights, it receives visitors for its nice construction and pleasant surrounding environment. The airport is situated 3 km away from the heart of the town.

Nouakchott:

Nouakchott is the capital city of Mauritania, situated around 160 km northwest of Boutilimit. Other than housing spectacular beaches, Nouakchott is also famous for its manmade attractions like the National Museum of Mauritania, the Nouakchott Silver Market, the Cathedral of St. Joseph, the Franco-Mauritanian Cultural Center and Stade Olympique.  Buses are regular between Nouakchott and Boutilimit.

Banc d’Arguin National Park:

UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Banc d’Arguin National Park is located to the northwest of Boutilimit, covering a total area of 12,000 km². The park is well known for thousands of migratory birds, mainly for broad-billed sandpipers, terns and flamingos.

Other places of interest in and around Boutilimit are as follows:

• University of Nouakchott
• Beaches in Nouakchott
• National Museum of Mauritania
• Franco-Mauritanian Cultural Center
• Stade Olympique
• Cathedral of St. Joseph
• Nouakchott Museum
• Nouakchott Silver Market
• National Library in Nouakchott

Best time to visit Boutilimit:

Throughout the year is best, especially from January to May is the ideal time to visit Boutilimit in Mauritania.

Accommodation Options in Boutilimit:

It is difficult to find star rated hotels in Boutilimit but traditional options can be found. Those who want to make their Mauritania tour memorable can consider top class hotels in the capital city Nouakchott for accommodation purpose. List of the prominent hotels in Boutilimit and Nouakchott (160 km) include:

• Al Khaima City Center
• Hotel Wissal Nouakchott
• Auberge Sahara
• Atlantic Hotel Ezza
• Boudarge & Inimich Apart-Hotel
• Chambres d’Hotes Naga
• Hotel El Waha
• The Auberge Bab Sahara
• Hotel Semiramis Nouakchott
• Mauricenter Hotel
• Hotel Atlantique Nouakchott
• Boudarge & Inimich Apart-Hotel
• Chambres d’Hotes Naga
• Auberge Diaguili
• Maison d’hotes Jeloua
• Monotel Hotel

Best Tourist Places to Visit in Atar, Adrar, Mauritania, Africa

Atar is a town and the administrative centre of Adrar Region in the northwestern part of Mauritania, lying between 20°31′ N latitude and 13°03′ W longitude. It is one of the top tourist destinations of Mauritania, mainly noted for its museum, historic mosque and traditional market. Atar is also the gateway to the ancient Moorish cities Chinguetti and Ouadane and also a famous natural attraction, Terjit oasis, is located few kilometers away from Atar. Atar is situated around 430 km northeast of Nouakchott, the capital of Mauritania. Atar features a hot desert with relatively hot temperature yea round.

How to reach Atar?

Atar hosts an airport but flights are not regular. So it is advised for visitors to reach the country’s primary airport, Nouakchott International Airport first and then take bus or rental car from there to Atar.

The Nouakchott International Airport is situated around 430 km away from Atar and receives flights from Istanbul, Dakar, Gran Canaria, Madrid, Abidjan, Casablanca, Bamako, Brazzaville, Casablanca, Conakry, Paris, Algiers and other prime European and African cities.

Atar is well served by buses for both local and intercity travel. Rental cars and taxis are also widely used for local travel in Atar.

Culture, Food and Shopping in Atar:

Atar was the birthplace of the popular film director, Med Hondo. Shopping can be done at Atar traditional market, where products like handicrafts and ornaments are cheaper.

There are modernized food corners are limited in Atar, but visitors can find many traditional food huts with local specialties and delicacies from other parts of Africa.

Things to do in and around Atar:

• Shopping at traditional market
• Village tours
• Visiting nearby archeological sites

Tourist Attractions in Atar:

Atar Museum:

The Atar Museum describes the complete history as well as the culture of Atar with a nice collection of well preserved artifacts, traditional costumes, paintings and other typical collections.

Atar Mosque:

Mosque in Atar was built in the year 1674 and although holding more than 300 years’ history, the mosque is still good condition, attracting devotees and tourists throughout the year.

Chinguetti:

Chinguetti is an archeological site and medieval trading centre, situated to the east of Atar. The Friday Mosque of Chinguett is considered as the icon of Mauritania. Other attractions in Chinguetti include ancient libraries, a tall water tower and oilfield.

Ouadane:

Ouadane is a former trading town, situated around 160 km northeast of Atar. It lies on the southern tip of the Adrar Plateau. The old town of Ouadane was listed on the UNESCO World Heritage Site and there is also a landmark Richat Structure, situated close to the town.

Other places of interests in and around Atar are as follows:

• Terjit
• Atar Market
• Banc d’Arguin National Park
• Beaches in Nouakchott
• National Museum of Mauritania
• University of Nouakchott
• Franco-Mauritanian Cultural Center
• Nouakchott Silver Market
• Stade Olympique
• Nouakchott Museum
• National Library
• Cathedral of St. Joseph

Best time to visit Atar:

As like the most Mauritanian cities, from January to May is the best and most popular time to visit Atar.

Accommodation Options in Atar:

Atar houses a less number of standard accommodation centres, so it is suggested for international tourists book hotel rooms well in advance prior to reaching the city through online, otherwise they may get difficulty in finding hotels during high season. The prominent hotels in Atar and Nouakchott (430 km) are as follows:

• Hotel El Waha
• The Auberge Bab Sahara
• Hotel Semiramis Nouakchott
• Auberge Menata
• Hotel Mouna
• Mauricenter Hotel
• Hotel Emira
• Hotel Tfeila
• Residence IMAN
• Hotel Halima
• Hotel Atlantique Nouakchott
• Hotel Ikrama
• Boudarge & Inimich Apart-Hotel
• Chambres d’Hotes Naga
• Auberge Diaguili
• Maison d’hotes Jeloua
• Monotel Hotel