Chebaita Mokhtar

Chebaita Mokhtar is a rural agricultural commune in Dréan District, located in El Tarf Province in north-eastern Algeria. It sits 28 km south-east of the coastal city of Annaba and 8 km south of Dréan. The settlement occupies low-lying plains near the Seybouse River valley, surrounded by olive groves, citrus orchards, and cork-oak forests.

Travelers visit Chebaita Mokhtar as a stopover or quiet base while exploring surrounding regional attractions, such as the wetland bird sanctuaries in El Kala National Park or Roman ruins in Annaba. The commune itself lacks commercial hotels and formal tourist facilities, serving instead as a functional rural community centered around agricultural trade.

The climate is Mediterranean, characterized by hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters. El Tarf receives higher rainfall than most Algerian provinces, averaging 700 to 1,000 mm annually. Spring brings green vegetation across the countryside before summer temperatures peak.

• Dréan Colonial Center (8 km north) — Town center where French writer Albert Camus was born in 1913, featuring early 20th-century street architecture and outdoor produce markets. Free entry.

• Seybouse River Valley Farmland — Agricultural countryside surrounding Chebaita Mokhtar, planted with olive orchards and grain fields. Free entry.

• Hippo Regius Archaeological Site & Museum (25 km north-west in Annaba) — Ancient Roman ruins including forum columns, street paving, intact mosaics, and an onsite museum. Entry fee: 130 DZD ($1.00 USD).

• St. Augustine Basilica (25 km north-west in Annaba) — Hilltop 19th-century basilica built above the Roman city of Hippo Regius overlooking the Gulf of Annaba. Free entry.

• Lac Tonga & Lac Oubeira (65 km east in El Kala National Park) — Freshwater wetland lakes protected under the Ramsar Convention, hosting rare waterfowl like purple swamphens and white-headed ducks. Free access to public viewpoints.

• Brabtia Forest (45 km east) — Cork-oak woodland reserve stretching along the provincial road to El Kala. Free entry.

• Birdwatching in El Kala Wetlands: Spot resident and migratory waterbirds at Lac Tonga and Lac Oubeira during peak migration months in spring and autumn.

• Explore Roman Ruins at Hippo Regius: Walk among ancient Roman mosaics and forum structures near Annaba.

• Countryside Cycling: Ride along paved rural stretches of the N84 road through orchards and fields.

• Coastal Swimming: Drive 35 km north to the Mediterranean beaches near Chetaïbi or El Kala during summer.

• Fast Foud (Dréan) — Eatery in nearby Dréan (70 Logements) serving Algerian street food like mahjouba (spicy stuffed flatbread), garantita (chickpea slice), and shawarma. Budget tier (150–400 DZD / $1.10–$3.00 USD).
• Restaurant d'Orient (Annaba) — Dining room on Cours de la Révolution in Annaba serving traditional dishes like lamb couscous, rechta, and chorba soup. Mid-range tier (800–1,800 DZD / $6.00–$13.50 USD).
• Café Les Archs (Chebaita Mokhtar) — Village café in the commune center serving espresso, mint tea, and baked sweet pastries. Budget tier (50–150 DZD / $0.35–$1.10 USD).
• Restaurant Le Chalet (El Kala) — Coastal seafood restaurant specializing in grilled red mullet, fried sardines, and calamari platters. Mid-range tier (1,200–2,800 DZD / $9.00–$21.00 USD).

Chebaita Mokhtar has no commercial hotels. Visitors stay in private rentals in Dréan or hotels in Annaba and El Tarf.

• Private Rental Apartments (Dréan & Chebaita Mokhtar area) — Furnished apartments booked locally or via platforms like Ouedkniss. Budget tier (2,500–4,500 DZD / $19–$34 USD per night).
• Hôtel Sabri (Annaba - 30 km north-west) — Seaside hotel with swimming pools, air-conditioned rooms, and restaurant service. Mid-range tier (8,000–12,000 DZD / $60–$90 USD per night).
• Sheraton Annaba Hotel (Annaba - 28 km north-west) — High-rise hotel in central Annaba offering modern rooms, multiple restaurants, and fitness amenities. Upscale tier (35,000–45,000 DZD / $260–$340 USD per night).
• Golden Beach Hotel & Aqua Park (El Kala region - 65 km east) — Coastal resort near El Kala National Park with beach access and recreational facilities. Mid-range tier (15,000–22,000 DZD / $113–$165 USD per night).

• Dréan (8 km north) — Birthplace of Albert Camus, featuring central markets and local taxi hubs.
• Annaba (28 km north-west) — Coastal city containing Rabah Bitat Airport, Hippo Regius Roman ruins, St. Augustine Basilica, and beaches.
• El Tarf (55 km east) — Provincial capital offering administrative services and transport connections to mountain reserves.
• El Kala (75 km east) — Coastal fishing port and gateway to El Kala National Park, wetland lakes, and coral reefs.
• Guelma (65 km south-west) — Inland city home to a Roman theatre and thermal hot springs at Hammam Debagh.