Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > North Africa
Algeria: access in the south - update Algeria: access in the south - update
Register FAQ Calendar Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
North Africa Topics specific to North Africa and the Sahara down to the 17th parallel (excludes Morocco)
Photo by Lois Pryce, schoolkids in Algeria

25 years of HU Events


Destination ANYWHERE...
Adventure EVERYWHERE!




Photo of Lois Pryce, UK
and schoolkids in Algeria



Trans Sahara Routes.

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 11 Sep 2010
Chris Scott's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2000
Posts: 4,991
Algeria: access in the south - update
This is what I hear of where you can go in south Algeria right now.

Tassili du Hoggar (SE of Tam) and Teffedest (north of Tam) are not permitted anymore

Only Ahnet, Immidir and Tam to Assekrem are permitted, as well as Djanet and Tassili n Ajjer on the east side.

But you can't go from Tam direct to Djanet without a permit and a gendarmerie escort.

So far east or far west - both great areas.

Ch
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 11 Sep 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Switzerland
Posts: 332
Hi,
I can confirm the situation as reported by Chris.
In spring the new rules had only communicated verbally, now they exist in written form and are binding for the agencies.
Actually a few agencies which broke the rules had been put to justice.

Also, a new law for agencies had been published which is much stricter than the old one. I expect a lot of agencies will not be able to renew their license.
The laws had been published on pages 5-8: http://www.joradp.dz/JO2000/2010/044/FP5.pdf
__________________
Yves
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 13 Sep 2010
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: 46° 39.635'N - 13° 54.206'E
Posts: 15
Hello !

So this restrictions means , that only fly-In-tourism into both regions is possible/wanted , or may overlanders further go down from Taleb L. with the obligatory guide ??

What do you think about this rules : is it possible that they will be cleared until this winter , like numerous, similar rules in the past ( e.g. Libian blockade of EU-Travellers this spring, Erg Chech , etc)

IMO,if this situation continues , it will be again an end of Algerian Sahara Tourism in this wonderful country with extremly nice people due to governement disposal !!!

Ciao Hannes
__________________
Carpe Diem !
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 13 Sep 2010
Chris Scott's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2000
Posts: 4,991
...only fly-In-tourism into both regions is possible/wanted,

I suppose they have more control over this, but the fact that they have closed Tasssil du Hoggar - one of the best and most accessible areas to Tam, shows that they have no prefs for fly-in or self drive.


or may overlanders further go down from Taleb L. with the obligatory guide?
Yes, you can still do this where allowed.

What do you think about this rules : is it possible that they will be cleared until this winter , like numerous, similar rules in the past ( e.g. Libian blockade of EU-Travellers this spring, Erg Chech , etc)

Alg is not like Libya in this regard, IMO. The rules will not change soon.

IMO,if this situation continues , it will be again an end of Algerian Sahara Tourism in this wonderful country with extremly nice people due to governement disposal !!!

True, but Alg never really recovered from the 90s before 2003 finished off what there was.

Its not so bad anyway and it's been like this on and off for a couple of years.
Ahnet west of the TSH as far as the tanezrouft piste is a big area; Immidir - well mostly for camels; and Djanet + Tassili N'Ajjer as we all know is a fantastic area, though maybe more for fly-ins if you must drive back the same way.

I find this block on crossing from Tam to Djanet a little odd and of course a big shame for self driving. Is there an GSPC threat or some other explanation? In Algeria as always, who knows.

Ch
Last edited by Chris Scott; 21 Oct 2010 at 15:37.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 14 Sep 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Oxford, U.K.
Posts: 625
[quote=Chris Scott;305273
I find this block on crossing from Tam to Djanet a little odd and of course a big shame for self driving. Is there an GSPC threat or some other explanation? In Algeria as always, who knows.

Ch[/quote]

My guess is that the new travel restrictions relate to the incident earlier in the year, around March 2010, when Algeria intercepted comms from AQIM planning to abduct tourists on the Djanet-Tam piste. Recall the FCO and French travel websites warned against travel south of Arak. I think it takes some time for the response to these events to become official. In the same way that Algeria closed the Amguid corridor on account of the kidnappings near there in 2003, they have no closed the region between Djanet and Tam. Interestingly, there is a big piste running from the south of Algeria across the Amadror and on to near Illizi (not on maps) which is probably a big smuggling corridor. They may also want to be having a go at any traffic on this route.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 14 Sep 2010
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: 46° 39.635'N - 13° 54.206'E
Posts: 15
Hello !

It would be important to know more details about the areas that are still possible :

East: Tin Merzouga, Wadi In Djerane , Erg Admer - where´s the western "border" in direction to Tam ?
Crossing the Plateau d. Fadnoun in the East from Illizi- Ft. Tarat - Dider ?
G.E.Orient. is closed , although I have GPStracks from people crossing it 2010 ?!

West: G.E.Occ. , Erg Chech(B.F.Saint Marie) ,InSalah-Reggane ?

How to cross West/East south of the Tarmac-Road Oargla/El Meniaa/Timimoun legal ?

It would be great and very helpful , if somebody with reliable infos would draw a *.kmz reffering the recent forbidden/allowed areas ( last only some minutes )

Ciao Hannes
__________________
Carpe Diem !
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 18 Nov 2010
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 10
Algerian trip
Hi guys
Since we plan to visit Algeria in coming April, do you have any info about the current security situation?
We contacted Tanezrouft and they say that the following places are open for tourists
- Timimoun
- désert de in salah
- Ahne
- in ziza
- assekrame
- djanet (tadrart -platoue - tassili N'aajir).
- ghardaia
Are they all worth visiting ? We have 2 weeks net for the desert.
Thank you very much
Kostas
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 18 Nov 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2001
Posts: 921
You'll be 'busy' to see all that in 2 weeks, it's all worth seeing.

Any word on the crossing Hirafok-Djanet?

Thanks, Sam.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 18 Nov 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2001
Posts: 921
I'll be in Tam and Djanet in January - feel free to contact me in Feb for feedback (I'll forget to post on here otherwise!).

Safe travels, Sam.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 18 Nov 2010
Chris Scott's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2000
Posts: 4,991
That looks like a near complete list of some of the best places in Alg and you will struggle to see all of it in 2 weeks. In the time available I would choose to stay either east of the TSH (Tassili) - better if you come from Tunisia; or west of TSH (Ahnet, etc), with Tam as your turn around point for either circuit.

April will be getting on the hot side but if you are from Greece I imagine you will be used to that.

Broadly speaking, security in south Alg is the same as it has been for the last couple of years and is detailed closely on this forum or in links from it. The threats are more over the border - mostly Mali.

Things can change, but where it is not considered safe they wont let you go.

Ch
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 18 Nov 2010
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 10
Thank you very much Chris and Sam...I really appreciate
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 18 Nov 2010
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Budapest
Posts: 43
"Any word on the crossing Hirafok-Djanet?"

Yes, any info on this one?
As far as I know the Djanet-Tam piste through Ideles/Hirhafok is still closed... for the past 6 months or so.
Someone wrote before that it can be done in case you inform the police in Djanet so they know you're there... but I'm not sure...

g.
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes
Hybrid Mode Hybrid Mode

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Broadband Access in Central & South America AtlasRider South America 7 15 Dec 2008 03:08
Algeria Febuary South to North QuadsAcrossAfrica North Africa 2 9 Jan 2008 19:48
Entering Algeria from the south danielsprague North Africa 5 4 Jun 2007 13:56
Algeria news update Chris Scott North Africa 1 7 Nov 2001 15:59

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
Ecuador June 13-15
Bulgaria Mini: June 27-29
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Aug 14-17
Romania: Aug 22-24
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes.
(ONLY US RESIDENTS and currently has a limit of 60 days.)

Ripcord Evacuation Insurance is available for ALL nationalities.


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Every book a diary
Every chapter a day
Every day a journey
Refreshingly honest and compelling tales: the hights and lows of a life on the road. Solo, unsupported, budget journeys of discovery.
Authentic, engaging and evocative travel memoirs, overland, around the world and through life.
All 8 books available from the author or as eBooks and audio books



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 19:39.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top