Algeria and Tunisia as alternative's for Morocco in Covid times.
 

As a lot of you maybe have already seen in the specific Morocco thread.
Since 29th of November 2021 Morocco closed the border for tourists as a Covid precaution, for 2 weeks.
But as we know from earlier lockdowns the chances are high it will get extended if the numbers are not decreasing quick enough.

I'm currently in the north of Spain riding the TET to the south and had the idea to cross to Morocco end of December, early January to spend around two months over there.
I know Spanish ferries are still closed to Morocco so for that I would opt for the Sete one in France
https://scontent.fvgo3-1.fna.fbcdn.n...9b&oe=61AE656E

But with the current news I'm looking into alternative options in north Africa which can be reached by ferry. As a backup plan if Morocco doesn't open up on time.

I found Algeria, seems to still be open.
But if I read it correctly you will almost every where outside the big cities need a guide an police escort so expect it will be expensive for a solo expedition. Can the costs be reduced if you would travel in a group?
Topics I found but which Al seem to be from pre 2019:
https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hu...ahara-57191-19
https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hu...angerous-75829
https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hu...-algeria-95920

Other option Tunisia, seems to still be open.
Only needs a guide/escort in some small region's but the ferry crossing will take a lot longer.
And In 2018 it had some negative news about the terrorist attack.
Topics I found so far:
https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hu.../tunisia-92358

What are your experiences with these countries in Covid or just before Covid times?
Because a lot of the above topics are already quite old.

And if north Africa stays a no-go area for winter period 2021/2022 any recommendations for one of the islands in the Mediterranean sea for an offroad traveler?

Based on very expensive personal experience, I cannot recommend Tunisia as a country to visit.

See this post, that will explain it: Tunisian Customs Penalties.

In the two weeks prior to the onset of the COVID pandemic, I rode through most of Tunisia - from top to bottom. Although the country is "interesting", it's not as interesting as Morocco.

As for Algeria - I worked in that country for a while back in the late 1990s - early 2000s. I would not consider going back there for tourist purposes. You are correct in your observation that tourist travel in Algeria is heavily restricted, and that you will need a guide to go to the few places that are open for tourism.

Michael

I appreciate accommodation is more expensive than Morocco but you could do worse than continue in Spain and Portugal. There's so much to see with some of the medieval villages and the spectacular Roman remains in places like Segovia and Mérida.

When you get to the section of TET on the Altiplano de Granada between Huescar and Pozo Alcon you will be within 2km of our cave house and the tracks are practically unlimited.

In the past 4 months I rode down from Finland through the Balkans, through Turkey down to Cyprus.

I highly recommend both the Balkans countries and Turkey, some incredible riding is to be had.

I'll post a trip report later once I have more time.

First: thanks for researching the forum carefully before asking your question ;-)


Yes. It is the only practical way to do it on a bike (the escort must drive a car).
But if you are rightly interested in off-roading in the deep south (gallery and report from 2018), much of it remains closed, and even if it were possible, the preparation (including mindset) is on a whole different level from Morocco or Tunisia.
Algeria potentially offers the ultimate in desert exploration. but as far as I know what areas are accessible off the highway (see link above) would add up to a long and expensive ride down, spectacular though it can be.
Then you can add that visas are not simply obtained on the borders, as in Mk and Tn.

I agree that from my few visits (many years ago now), Tunisia is nowhere near as interesting or diverse as Morocco, or anywhere else in North Africa for that matter. If Spain and Portugal don't appeal, I would sooner follow frameworkSpecialist's suggestions and head east.

One thing you may need to consider, along with too many borders with varying and changing Covid regs, is where you would you feel comfortable to be trapped behind closed borders, or having to leave your bike to get it later?
Micheal found that costly in Tunisia; I finally got my bike back after 20 months in Morocco, and even then Covid barriers were slamming shut behind me.

Having been across the Balkans and Turkey during covid times I can agree it is fairly straightforward and pleasant, excellent scenery and rides/drives. A lot easier than some other options unless you want the added hassle and expense of air-cargo for your bike etc...