Crossing from Mali or Niger into Algeria / Tam

[romanian_bat]

I am thinking of making a crossing from Bamako to Tam or from Niamey to Tam via Agadez and Arlit. I know of the kidnappings in the area, but does anyone have up-to-date information on one or both of the routes into Algeria? I found a travel agency willing to arrange the pick-up at the Algerian frontier post or in the last Niger / Mali town, however I was just looking for current info. I mention I shall not be driving, but taking Hiaces or local transport from Agadez / Arlit in Niger or Tessalit in Mali.
Thank you,
Alex

[Yves]

Hi,

you better should wait until the whole area becomes safer, maybe only 1 or 2 years.
Traveling in northern Mali, especially from Gao to Tessalit and further on BBM is exposing yourself to a very high risk. I am working with an Algerian travel agency and we refuse exits/entries at BBM because it is realy too risky (sure, you will always find somebody who wants to earn a few euros and does not care your risk).
Agadez to Assamaka seems less dangerous to me when you hire a driver from a serious travel agency in Agadez.

Good luck, Yves

[trans-african]

We crossed from Tam to Agadez the other week. Though the area is reported to be unstable, we experienced no problems with the crossing. We used local agencies from both countries.

Just to confirm, we went via Assamaka and Arlit

[romanian_bat]

Can you mention the agency you've used in both countries and the approximate costs for their service? Thanks.

[Yves]

Hi,

worth reading before crossing northern Mali or Niger.

Why Point Afrique canceled all flights and tours to central Sahara, except the Atar region and Mopti.
Article in French.

[url=http://www.point-afrique.com/newsletters/nl040/Newsletter040.html]La lettre de Point-Afrique - N

[trans-african]

Originally Posted by romanian_bat

Can you mention the agency you've used in both countries and the approximate costs for their service? Thanks.

Hello, I shall post a report about the crossing some time this week on this thread. We used 2 local operators, for which I have contact names and a phone number, as passed on by a friend. We were not particularly satisfied and in the future, will use a larger more well known agency. They did the job though.

In Algeria we paid the equivalent to GBP £115 per day (hire of a guide in own car) and about the same in Niger. I understand that these costs are far smaller if the guide travels in your vehicle.

Yves - do you work for Point Afrique?

[Yves]

HI,
>Yves - do you work for Point Afrique?
no, for Tanezrouft in Algeria, but just a few %, the rest in IT.

[priffe]

Yves, would Tanezrouft be able to supply a guide all the way to Arlit?

[gagarin]

Yes, that's something I'm interested in as well.

[Chris Scott]

I would have thought it's unlikely or complicated as Algerians need a visa for Niger just like we do, so it all gets complicated or expensive.

Plus, as things stand, they may be no more keen on the crossing than you.

There are plenty of agencies in Agadez with a better feel for the local situation I imagine, and all will be gagging for work I imagine.

Try Chiriet Voyage if there is anyone left there

anakomvoyages x yahoo.com might be around too. (best to address them in French)

Ch