Major city · Mauritania
Chinguetti
Spend 2 days: morning visit the Friday Mosque, afternoon walk the dunes, stay overnight in an auberge; then continue to Atar.
Chinguetti is a tiny Saharan town with a UNESCO‑listed old town, a 13th‑century mosque and striking sand dunes. All sights are within walking distance, so a short 1‑2‑day stop is enough before heading to the next oasis.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- MRU
- Best months
- Nov–Feb
- avoid Jun–Aug (heat)
- Airports
- Atar (ATR) · Nouakchott–Oumtounsy (NKC)
- Nights
- 2
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Carry an original yellow fever vaccination certificate on…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- West Africa ↗Carry an original yellow fever vaccination certificate on any West African trip: several countries on the coast road demand it of every arrival, and the rest demand it after you have passed through a neighbour.
- West Africa ↗Cross land borders and drive between cities in daylight only; plan each crossing as a full travel day with cash for fees and passport copies for checkpoints.
- Mauritania ↗Apply for the e-visa on the official ANRPTS portal and print the approval; visas on arrival ended in January 2025 and the fee is paid in cash at the airport.
- Mauritania ↗Travel advice differs by region: check your own government's advice for each area on your route, especially in the east and near the Mali border.
- Mauritania ↗Alcohol is prohibited; do not import or carry it.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Chinguetti17 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Chinguetti, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Mauritanian ouguiya (MRU), redenominated in 2018 (1 new = 10 old; prices are sometimes still quoted in old ouguiya).Mauritania-wide
- SIM or eSIMMauritel, Mattel and Chinguitel sell SIMs in Nouakchott; passport needed.Mauritania-wide
- Tap waterBottled only.Mauritania-wide
- TippingDriver or guide day: €5–10 (≈ US$6–12).Mauritania-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/E. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Mauritania-wide
- SafetyGenerally safe for day visitors; respect local customs, especially at the mosque, and travel with a guide for desert trips.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsBasic in auberges; the desert is the toilet on 4x4 days.Mauritania-wide
- Emergency numbers17 police · 18 fire and ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidayscheckWeekend is Saturday and Sunday (changed from Friday in 2014 — check); Friday prayers close shops midday.Mauritania-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckATR Atar Airport (Nearest airfield to Chinguetti, about 90 km (56 mi) away; domestic flights from Nouakchott, then road transfer (check schedules and seats)).ATR Atar Airport (Nearest airfield to Chinguetti, about 56 mi (90 km) away; domestic flights from Nouakchott, then road transfer (check schedules and seats)).
- Getting aroundAll sights are walkable; hire a camel‑guide or 4WD for dune trips (no riding on camel).
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- ATR Atar Airport (Nearest airfield to Chinguetti, about 90 km (56 mi) away; domestic flights from Nouakchott, then road transfer (check schedules and seats)) · NKC Nouakchott–Oumtounsy International Airport (Main international gateway; fly here, then road to Atar and on to Chinguetti (check))ATR Atar Airport (Nearest airfield to Chinguetti, about 56 mi (90 km) away; domestic flights from Nouakchott, then road transfer (check schedules and seats)) · NKC Nouakchott–Oumtounsy International Airport (Main international gateway; fly here, then road to Atar and on to Chinguetti (check))
Map of Chinguetti
Where it is, and the guides within about 120 km.
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Feb
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Mar
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Apr
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
May
not flagged
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
Jun
Avoid
40°C (104°F)104°F (40°C)
Jul
Avoid
42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)
Aug
Avoid
42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)
Sep
not flagged
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
Oct
not flagged
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Nov
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Dec
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Best: Nov–Feb. Avoid: Jun–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)), coolest Jan (12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C) low). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Chinguetti: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
0 rd
Feb
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
0 rd
Mar
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
0 rd
Apr
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
0 rd
May
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
0 rd
Jun
40°C (104°F)104°F (40°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
0 rd
Jul
42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
0 rd
Aug
42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
0 rd
Sep
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
0 rd
Oct
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
0 rd
Nov
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
0 rd
Dec
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
0 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
All sights are walkable; hire a camel‑guide or 4WD for dune trips (no riding on camel).
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Atar
goDoor to door: About 1 h each way
Early‑morning car from Atar to Chinguetti departs around 08:00; 2,000 UM per personEarly‑morning car from Atar to Chinguetti departs around 8:00 AM; 2,000 UM per person
Return to Atar for market and further travel.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Auberge La Gueïla
Six rooms, courtyard, on‑site restaurant; price from 1,500 UM
La Rose des Sables
Clean auberge, hot‑water showers
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- 1,500–2,500 UM excl. bed
- Mid
- 2,500–4,000 UM excl. bed
Trip budget
| Auberge room (single or double)1 × 2 nights × MRU 2,500 | MRU 5,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 2 days × MRU 2,500 | MRU 5,000 |
| Camel‑guide desert walk (per person)1 × MRU 2,000 · check | MRU 2,000 |
| 4‑wheel‑drive hire (per vehicle)1 × MRU 3,000 · check | MRU 3,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | MRU 1,500 |
| Trip total≈ MRU 8,250 per person per day, bed included | MRU 16,500 |
Auberge La Gueïla or La Rose des Sables
2026 estimate in MRU; flights and visas excluded.
Prices of common things
| Meal at Naitil restaurant | 30–60 UM |
| Camel‑guide desert walkcheck | 2,000 UM |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Non‑Muslims cannot enter the Friday Mosque interior; only view the exterior.
- Many hotels have closed; verify accommodation before arrival.
- Camel‑guide hires cost around 2,000 UM per person; arrange early.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 17
- Fire and ambulance
- 18
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
ChinguettiChinguetti
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Lahna, min fadlikTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police17
- Fire and ambulance18
Embassy
Mauritanian police stations can assist; foreign embassies are in Nouakchott.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Car from Atar → Chinguetti: about 2,000 UM per person, depart ~08:00 (check)about 2,000 UM per person, depart ~8:00 AM (check)
Say or show
- Salam — Hello (salaam)
- Shukran — Thank you (shukraan)
- Bkam? — How much? (bkam?)
- Wain al‑masjid? — Where is the mosque? (wain al‑masjid?)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Chinguetti. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–Feb · avoid Jun–Aug (heat) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 1 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a camel‑guide for dune sunrise walk (extra 2,000 UM).
- Book Auberge La Gueïla in advance via its website (check).
Sources
Ask about Chinguetti
Loading…
Was this useful?