Boutilimit is located in the southwestern region of Trarza and is embedded in three of our southern tours through Mauritania. The town is best known for its elaborate carpets made of goat and camel hair. Also leather and woodwork, teapots and enamels from Boutilimit are appreciated nationwide. Although the city was founded only in the 19th century, it was and still is considered one of the most important religious centers (Arab. Zāwiya) in the country. Numerous manuscripts are found here, and a few years ago a copy of a script by Averroes (Arab. Ibn Rushd), hitherto unknown worldwide, was found - a sensation, after all, he is one of the most important Islamic scholars of all. But it is not only classical Islamic education that is held in high esteem in Boutilimit; in 1914, Mauritania's first modern school also opened in this city. Culturally and historically, Boutilimit and Aleg are much more closely linked to Mauritanian national independence than Chinguetti or Nouakchott, for example. We recommend, as provided in our tours, to combine a tour to Boutilimit with Aleg, also the Diawling National Park or the border crossing Rosso can be well integrated.
