We are planning our trip to the south for next year and have just accepted that we will be taking a guide along. So that is being factored into all our planning. I am not especially bothered. First my French is pathetic and I can only manage a couple of Arabic phrases...so having someone who can speak to the Gendarmes and help us source supplies when needed will be helpful. Someone who knows the south and the best routes to the best views will obviously come in handy. Algeria is a lot different from Morocco I suspect. The Grand Erg's there are only ever a few miles across and towns/tar roads close by. The south of Algeria is pretty sparsely populated and vast regions of nothing but mountains and desert, so getting lost or breaking down might have more serious consequences. So happy to have along someone with local knowledge.

The challenge I think is to find the right guide that we get along with and understands he is not leading the trip, but providing us with advice to make smart choices and suggesting good routes. Also, and this may be a stretch, helping us not get ripped off by scams or 'tourist' pricing in towns. Finally with good English language skills so we can communicate with him and are sure we are understood. So part fixer, part guide.

So, a key part of our trip planning is looking for this guide. If we find the right person, through other's recommendations or our own investigations, we will certainly refer other business to them...so incentive for that person to provide a good service.

I have been working with humanitarian NGOs around the world for about 20 years and whenever I travel for work to remote locations, I am always travelling with local staff. I almost always enjoy the company and definitely appreciate the local knowledge.