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North Africa Topics specific to North Africa and the Sahara down to the 17th parallel (excludes Morocco)
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Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia



Trans Sahara Routes.

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  #1  
Old 18 Jan 2011
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Algeria questions
Dear friends,

I would like to know about the current status of Algerian pistes.
I'm particularly interested in pistes A6 (Tam-Djanet; or A7 in alternative), A3 (Bordj el Haouas - Tarat - Illizi) and A2 (Bordj Omar Driss - Illizi).

Can they be done independently or a guide is always necessary? Or not even with a guide (are they closed)?

All information is appreciated!

Cheers,
José
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  #2  
Old 18 Jan 2011
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Hi,
actually all the above 3 routes are closed for tourism.
Also the any Djanet-Tam crossing and Tassili du Hoggar is closed for tourism since a few months.
Ahnet is open.

Regards, Yves
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  #3  
Old 18 Jan 2011
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Does it really mean that if I want to visit both Djanet and Tam there is no other way than making that big turn north? (how far? Ouargla?:confused1.
There has been meetings in Tam where the agencies have strongly protested the detrimental effect these limitations have on their business. Have the authorities presented any convincing arguments for the new regulations? They do not seem like a temporary measure anymore.
I will double check with the guys in Djanet - it is certainly possible to drive Djanet-Tam without encountering anyone but I don't know if they are up to it if their license is in danger.
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Old 18 Jan 2011
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Hi Priffe,

yes, the restrictions hurt, everybody hopes that they will be lifted soon.
From time to time exceptions happen, but I don't know how to arrange them.
The reasons should be obvious: safety for the tourists.
And yes, Tam Djanet means a huge turn via Ouargla. Or to take the plane which is no option if you travel with your own car.
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  #5  
Old 18 Jan 2011
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Hi
In this time we should generaly to talk about possibility to visit country Algeria.
We are group from Poland (2 cars, 8 persons) waiting for visas from 26 of December with no result. The only informations we have that our aplications are in Foreign Ministry in Alger.
I know one Hungarian who is waiting for visa from 8 of December (with no result)
We have to change our travel tips due the long time of waiting.
Now that is the big problem of travelers (with own cars) but I think that only for people from Eastern Europe.

B
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Old 18 Jan 2011
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Hi Bartoz,
it seems that there had been recent changes in visa procedures for several countries. In Switzerland it takes 2 weeks now. In UK an original LOI is required and no faxed one and a copy of all pages of the passport!

However once in the country traveling seems as usual. I just phoned with a friend who spend the last 2 weeks in DZ with her own car. Same locations of checkpoints, no tension but much less tourists.

Best regards, Yves
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Old 18 Jan 2011
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Regarding the UK visas, I have also heard that it now takes 3 times as long to issue them (15 working days = nearly 3 weeks), costs 3 x as much and you can only apply for 3 passports at time (if you DIY).

Full details (as I understand them) here:
Sahara Overland ~ Algeria visa and travel information
It is not so clear on the London consulate's website.

I believe this was merely a response to the Brits making tougher regs for Algerians, rather than any sort of clamp down or increase in security procedures. I dont know why the east Europeans are having a hard time with Alg. Maybe fallout from a Hungarian? banger rally that tried to get in.

Ch
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Old 19 Jan 2011
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FWIW: in Belgium things are relaxed. At the Algerian consulate, visa was issued within 5 days at a cost of 60€ 2 weeks ago. I only had a "certificat d'hébergement" of a hotel with no end date and got a 30-days single-entry visa.

Raf.
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Old 19 Jan 2011
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So no escort required to meet you at the border Raf? I think Portuguese may have it that easy too.
If yes you could possibly get down as far as the Aoulef road without being stopped. Time to become a Belgian!

Ch
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Old 19 Jan 2011
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I hope so Chris, they didn't ask anything in the Brussels consulate. The "certificat d'hébergement" comes from Oran. I'll arrive with the ferry in Algiers and will take public transport, normally not going further south than Timimoun - El Golea. Maybe I can give it a try. But as said, no one asked anything about arrival, transport or plans. Let's see in 2 weeks...

Raf
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Old 19 Jan 2011
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Ah, without a car it must be easier to slip in - especially if arriving on a ferry. Pull the hood down on your jelaba and hope for the best.

Ch
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Old 19 Jan 2011
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Hi
There is a big and tall wall betwen Belgium and Poland.
In Poland we had to:
1. Send car documents
2. Send special aplications with all route and maps with off road piste
3. We could not get visa with hotel reservations
4. We could not get visa without guide

Now I see, we are second sort of people. We can feel disgusted entire with this process.

B
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Old 19 Jan 2011
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I would not take it personally. I suspect it's all down to the diplomatic relationship a country has with Algeria - how easily Algerians can visit your country, politics, trade deals - and quite possibly the individual ambassador.
Assuming that the preferred flow is to get out of North Africa and into Europe, if Poland makes it difficult to do this then the Algerian consulate will be instructed to respond - just as has happened with us Brits.

You get the feeling that most factions of the Algerian state do not really encourage desert tourism anyway; since '2003' they don't need the hassle, don't have much infrastructure to support it and the ruling elite don't need the money for the moment. I also suspect that they think if they expose their populace to too much westernism they may get ideas like the Tunisians - and to keep a lid on that as they do in Morocco and Egypt takes a lot of effort. All my speculation of course.

Ch
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Old 19 Jan 2011
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Thumbs down Algeria - Visa
Hi B

you really do not have to feel this way - in december I had quite a long and painful procedere to follow to get finally my visa in Geneva after 4 weeks.
And it was just an "all-inclusive-tour"!!!
We met in the south also some polish tourists, they organised their tour with a local guide without any problems.

Ursula
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  #15  
Old 19 Jan 2011
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You are right Chris. Everything is happening apart from us, especially politics.
That kind of tourists like us are not so important also. It is a small groups driving 4x4 travels or bike travels. It is other money in comparing to holiday resorts.

B
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