I'm planning my trip this year to explore the 'Empty Quarter' on both sides, and I'm wondering if anybody has had a recent experience crossing from Algeria to Mauritania ?

Assuming you mean the Tindouf route (not really Majabat al Koubra or E¼), this is the thread you want:
https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hu...uritania-95755

I think the window for Majabat (RIM-Mali) is long closed.

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Morocco Overland 4 (2025) • Trans Morocco Trail

hi fellow travellers!

We are preparing for a trip to Djanet. Based on info that was given to us on the Algerian embassy we need a signed paper by authorised Algerian tourist agency. Based on this we can acquire Visa on the Tunisian-Algerian land border. However, catch is that in this case we need an escort from that agency throughout our trip in Algeria.

How do Europeans usually organize a 4x4 trip to Algeria? I saw some posts and blogs from people going solo in the south and around.

Do you ask for a normal visa and book a hotel in the north for duration of your stay in Algeria? in this case, can you expect any issues with police on your way south?

Any advice is most welcome. we are a bit confused.

The way you describe with escorts has been in place since 2004 (though usually the visa was issued before, in your home country).
Most people take this route as it is guaranteed.
A local in his own vehicle has its uses if you strike trouble.

As you say, lately people have managed solo but it is bit of a 'trick' to get the visa with lodging invitation.

Reads the posts by edwardbgill and his website. All is explained.
Getting the visa this way can be a bit of a gamble, but once you are past the port/border the checkpoints down south ought not stop you, though they will want a local contact number, pour votre securité, so get a local SIM.

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Morocco Overland 4 (2025) • Trans Morocco Trail

6 months old, but some Lithuanians in Algie.

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid...38310233947926

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Morocco Overland 4 (2025) • Trans Morocco Trail

I'd add that if you get a letter of invitation for your visa from an in-country guide/agency then you will need to stay with those guides for the duration of your trip.

Suspect that this has been the policy for a while however the Ministry for the Interior has recently restated this to guides.

Thanks

Ed

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Where Next Barney? / Trans Morocco Trail

We just returned from Algeria.
28 day trip with acaciaaventure.com
The Raid intégral Algérie is a 28-day 4x4 tour covering more than 7,000 km to discover the most beautiful landscapes in Algeria. We've crossed the Tassili N'ajjer, the Tadrart and part of the Great Western Erg. Mus Hafiz, the boss of our organiser Acacia Aventure, promised us that "every day will be more beautiful", and he was right.
We were a group of 20 toyota’s. Most of the days we were split in different groups and drove independently along a set of waypoints. The big group never was a problem and every night we got together at the bivouac spot or hotel. 18 bivouacs in 28’days.
Everything south of El Golea is controlled area and you can’t go on your own. We met a german couple in a truck in Tamanrasset who were stopped along the way from Alger to Tamanrasset. The rest of their trip was with a police escort on the tarmac roads.
With our organised tour, the visa on arrival was arranged and also the permits for the Tassili national park, so we could drive to the nicest spots, on and off road. A lot of police checkpoints along the way, so I don’t think it is really possible to slip through without an agency. Several times, when we were driving in our little groups, we were stopped by the police to check us out. Always very friendly and helpful.
One day, a tourist was stabbed in Djanet and directly after that our group was stopped at the first town and placed under police escort until they figured out that the attack was from a single criminal and not terroristic. The authorities are very security aware.
But......apart from the police thing, it was magical! Fantastic landscapes! Friendly people who really want you to have a good time in their country. I needed a replacement side window and the guy that fixed it even didn’t want any money.

Ferry from Marseille to Alger. Corsica linea.
You can buy insurance when you leave the port in Alger. Also buy a simcard there. Use Mobilis, they have the best coverage. 12 euros for 30 days 80 GB (yes eighty!)
Diesel : 0,20€ per liter. If you go to the national parks, you’ll need 900 kms of autonomy, 200 liters of diesel in a standard 24v 80.
Credit cards don’t work. Everything is cash.
border with tunisia ar Nefta is open.
Border with Morroco is closed.