Chinguetti Tours — Mauritania's Ancient Library City

Why visit Chinguetti

Chinguetti (also spelled Chinguiti, Chinguetty or Shinqit) is the most famous historic town in Mauritania. For centuries it was a stop on the trans-Saharan caravan routes and a centre of Islamic learning, where pilgrims gathered before crossing the desert towards Mecca. Its old quarter, built from dry-stone walls and palm-wood beams, is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Ancient Ksour of Ouadane, Chinguetti, Tichitt and Oualata.

Today the old town sits at the edge of the Sahara, with dunes pushing into its lanes. Walking its alleys with a local guide — past the square stone minaret of the Friday Mosque and the doors of family libraries — is one of the defining experiences of any Mauritania tour.

The Chinguetti manuscript libraries

Chinguetti's families have kept private libraries for generations, holding handwritten manuscripts on theology, law, astronomy, medicine and poetry. Several of these libraries welcome visitors: the librarian opens the fragile books, explains how they are preserved against sand and heat, and tells the story of the scholars who wrote them.

What to see in and around Chinguetti

• The old town (ksar) and the Friday Mosque with its square stone minaret
• Family manuscript libraries in the historic quarter
• Sunset over the dunes at the edge of town, the beginning of the Erg Ouarane sand sea
• Traditional tea and an overnight stay in a desert auberge or tent
• The Adrar plateau drive from Atar, through rocky passes and palm groves

How to get to Chinguetti

Chinguetti is reached from Atar, the capital of the Adrar region, by a roughly two-hour drive across the plateau. Atar itself is a long day's drive north of Nouakchott. On our tours the whole journey is handled in a private 4x4 with an experienced driver-guide, so you can stop for viewpoints, tea with nomadic families and photos along the way.

Best time to visit Chinguetti

The best season is November to March, when days are warm and nights in the desert are cool. From June to September temperatures in the Adrar are extremely high, and sandstorms are more frequent in spring.

Chinguetti in Photos

Chinguetti: Frequently Asked Questions