Tamegroute and Tinfou dunes travel guide

Tamegroute lies on the left bank of the Oued Draâ, 20 km southeast from Zagora, and is visited mainly because of the zaouïa, founded in the 17th century, and headquarters of the influential Naciri Islamic brotherhood, which had great importance in the Draâ region until recently, and is visited by scholars from the Islamic world. The outer sanctuary and library are open to public view (closed 1200-1500), the latter containing a number of impressively old korans and 12th-century antelope hide manuscripts. The village is interesting to explore: there’s a close-knit area of old housing typical of the region, with potters at work producing the characteristic green and brown pottery, and a souk, main day Saturday.

Some 8 km south of Tamegroute, the Tinfou dunes, are a small and popular but nevertheless memorable area of Saharan sand.