Chinguetti, Mauritania 🇲🇷 | An Off-the-Grid Desert Adventure

After packing up, I set off at 9 AM to return to Atar, hoping to find a bus or taxi to my next destination—the ancient desert town of Chinguetti. But because I left too late, I missed the only shared taxi at 7 AM from Terjit 🥲. Left with no choice, I had to hike 2 km to the main road and try my luck hitchhiking to Atar. This time, I wasn’t alone—a fellow traveler from Algeria joined me! Speaking of taxis, I’ve noticed that in Mauritania, anyone with a car can be a taxi driver. If the driver agrees and the price is right, you’ve got a ride! 😌 At the main road, before we even put our bags down, a car stopped and offered to take us to Atar for 200 MRU (~RM23). The ride took about an hour. Once in Atar, we quickly hit the restroom, grabbed some supplies, and then hunted for transport to Chinguetti. As usual, just saying "Chinguetti" out loud summoned helpers who led us to a ride. This time? A small delivery truck! The driver was heading there anyway, so he charged us 400 MRU (~RM46) each—fair deal! By 1 PM, we safely arrived in Chinguetti, a tiny, remote desert town. To escape the midday heat, I waited until 5 PM to wander alone into the nearby dunes. Mauritania’s tourism is practically non-existent, so infrastructure is extremely basic. 🚌 Transport? No official bus system—just local knowledge and luck. 🏨 Accommodation? Forget Agoda or Booking.com—most places are walk-in only outside the capital. 🛏️ Facilities? A bed is a luxury here. 😬 Some travelers even end up sleeping directly in the Sahara when they can’t find lodging. Now that’s a true desert experience! (I haven’t tried it myself—just read about it in others’ blogs.) A Town Slowly Swallowed by the Sahara Chinguetti was once a key stop for West African pilgrims heading to Mecca, a historic trade and religious hub. But now, the Sahara is claiming it back. 🏜️ The original old town has already been buried by sand. 🏚️ The second settlement also fell to the dunes. 📍 Now, the "new" town (where I’m staying) might disappear in the near future too… 😢 #Travel #Mauritania #Nouakchott #SaharaAdventure #OffTheGrid 🌍✨