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North Africa Topics specific to North Africa and the Sahara down to the 17th parallel (excludes Morocco)
Photo by Alessio Corradini, on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia, of two locals

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Alessio Corradini,
on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia,
of two locals



Trans Sahara Routes.

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  #1  
Old 3 Feb 2002
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Algeria
We, Edwin & Petra would like to know if it is possible to travel thru Algeria to Timbuktu ( Mali). We would like to enter Algeria from Marocco. Can anybody tell us which border crossings to use ? If it is safe? We are Dutch and want to travel with our Landrover to Timbuktu ( Mali). Hope somebody can give us an answer or any info about Algeria. Thanks in advance
Edwin & Petra Butter
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  #2  
Old 3 Feb 2002
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Have a look at http://www.sahara-overland.com/routes/
it's all there or in the book
Maroc Alg can't be done and Alg to Mali direct is dangerous.
But Alg is the dog's tho Tim is not worth the schlep whichever way you go, but dont take my word for it, no one else does!

CS

------------------
Author of Sahara Overland and the Adventure Motorcycling Handbook, among other things

http://www.sahara-overland.com


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  #3  
Old 3 Feb 2002
GWJ GWJ is offline
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Hi Chris - can you translate your "english" into english for foreigners like us????
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  #4  
Old 3 Feb 2002
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Hi Ursula, what I'm saying is Algeria is a most agreeable desitnation in its own right (as I'm sure you know) while the long journey to Timbuktu can often be anticlimactic.

;-)
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  #5  
Old 3 Feb 2002
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We went from Algeria to Mali in Janurary going from In Salah to Reganne and the old Tanzerouf piste to Gao with an 86 Patrol and a KMX 400. We had no problems whatsoever but there have been a number of holdups in the area both on foreigners and locals. Nobody is sure whose responsible. Algeria was no problem whatsoever, we used the Bordj Mokhtar crossing and the route is no problem with a 4WD. I've been to Timbuktu a couple of times and I agree with Chris that it is not worth it but I suppose you have to go there for the sake of it. If you have plenty of time and can speak French you may be able to see some of the old books and things which used to be in the library and are now in private hands. I've never seen them myself but I know tourists who have.
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  #6  
Old 4 Feb 2002
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Already thanks for the replies. We are planning to go to Timbuktu at the end of this year and we are searching and reading all kinds of info for our trip. Chris, we have your book and it is wonderful. We have done the M5 route (backwards)with our Landrover in Marocco and it was great and the explanation in your book is great.
Hope to hear some more on Algeria
Thanks Petra & Edwin
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Old 5 Feb 2002
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Hello Petra and Edwin!
We did a few years ago Geneva-Marseille-Algiers-Ghardaia-Timimoun-Regane-Tanezrouft-Bordj Mokhtar-Tessalit-Taoudenni-Timbuktu-Nema-Nouakchott by Landrover.
I must admit that I a was a little disappointed in Timbuktu... But we mainly took this route to watch the salt caravans from Taoudenni to Timbuktu and to the boats on the river Niger. It was great to see this!
Today the situation has changed. The north of Algeria down to Laghouat is dangerous as everybody knows (civil war). We traveled from Genua/Italy to Tunis and entered Algeria near Nefta/Taleb Larbi in the Souf Region last autumn. From there we headed to In Salah. The Tanezruft is not safe too (bandits. The north of Mali has a very bad reputation too...
Friends just came back from Tunisia-In Salah-Reggane-Erg Chech-Tichit-Nouakchott-Morocco. They are very experienced Saharians and have very speedy 4x4 and had no problems but RAIN in the dunes in Mauritania!
May I say that you risk less in a old Landrover than in a brandnew Toyota Landcruiser???
I hope you realize what kind of risks you take and I do wish you good luck and a fantastic trip!
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Old 5 Feb 2002
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Going back to the original question, getting from Algeria to Timbuctou, the 'safest' and probably easiest (except in time) is to route via Niger (In-Guezzam - Agadez etc.).

Depends on your timeframe of course!
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Old 7 Feb 2002
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If Reggane-Erg Chech-Taoudenni-Timbuktu seems too tough to you (only for very experienced Saharians!) you could drive down to Tamanrasset and hire a guide to Gao via the Adrar des Iforas-Tilemsi.
Adress available if you are interested.
http://www.nomads-of-mali.com/v1/eng...a/sa-haupt.htm
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