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Photo by Lois Pryce, schoolkids in Algeria

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Photo of Lois Pryce, UK
and schoolkids in Algeria



Trans Sahara Routes.

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  #1  
Old 17 May 2011
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Algerian Sahara

Merged with other threads Sept 2017.
See latest posts for useful info.



Gloomy report.

Google Translate


(NB: when they refer to 'Tassili' they mean Tassili Hoggar just SE of Tam, not Tassili N'Ajjer near Djanet)

Elsewhere, Algie commenters dont seem so keen on the border opening with Morocco.

Google Translate


Ch

Last edited by Chris Scott; 9 Sep 2017 at 10:08.
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  #2  
Old 17 May 2011
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Interesting articles, specially the first one.

They blame it on authorities... but is the behaviour of the authorities the cause for lack of tourists or consequence of something else (AQIM)?

I would really like to ride in Southern Algeria and I've been planning it for some time but it is not one decision to take on lightly nowadays...

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Old 18 May 2011
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It's not been detailed here much, but in the last few months the tourism ministry has tried to impose new procedures on agencies in an attempt (AFAIU) to make them all more accountable and responsible (and possibly taxable).
So you can see how the agencies feel they are getting it from both ends - AQIM activities and now new govt regs.

Having said that, the agencies do seem to have a bit of a blind spot for '2003' (mass kidnapping - border-to-border agency escorts imposed soon after). That finished off desert tourism as we knew it in Alg, but it must have been a bit of a bonanza for those agencies that could get the escort work which followed.

I think tourism is seen as one of the few ways of making money/getting work legitimately in the south, which is now seen as being disrupted by northerners (govt), closure of Tassili-Hoggar and the fact that the French 'FCO' recently put Alg on its black list which ended all fly-in tours.

Along with recent kidnapping, all a great shame as the place has so much potential - especially with Libya as it is and should the Mk border open to foreigners.

Ch
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Old 23 Sep 2011
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The Hoggar opens up for tourism, 500 new campsites planned, according to the Director of Tourism in Tamanrasset.
"After two lean seasons, the managers of travel agencies in the wilaya of Tamanrasset welcomed the announcement of opening the doors of the Tassili of Ahaggar, officially banned domestic and foreign tourists since February 8, 2010."
Le Tassili de l’Ahaggar se prépare à accueillir à nouveau les touristes - 7 jours - El Watan
"...to be launched on the occasion of World Tourism Day September 27."
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Old 23 Sep 2011
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All going to plan we should be one of the new tourists... just waiting for our tourist visas. We'll post our experiences on the HUBB to give you some flavour of the situation should be get in...
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  #6  
Old 8 Oct 2011
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news from djanet area

El Watan report

Libyan refugees in Djanet also.

Ch
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Old 11 Mar 2015
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Hi, can you send me an email?


sam at prepare2go dot com


Thanks, Sam.
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Old 20 Apr 2015
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It took a while, finally completed the account of our last November's trip to the Tassili:
Tassili N'Ajjer, Algeria - November 2014

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Old 21 Apr 2015
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Great trip!
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  #10  
Old 21 Apr 2015
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Very, very interesting Andrasz, thx.
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Old 15 Oct 2015
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Tried going to the Tassili / Djanet area again this year, from our party of four three (myself included) were unable to obtain visas for a fly-in trip with local agency support. I'm not sure, but this could have been connected to the bit of news on the Sahara security thread (http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...-41#post517408).

Similar to the experience of others in the past, our visas were never denied, just the confirmation failed to arrive from Algiers despite repeated assurances and promises. It appears we can strike off another country from the ever shrinking list.
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Old 20 Nov 2016
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Coming back to Hoggar soon?

From El Watan:

"A une question relative à la possibilité de relancer le tourisme réceptif, le ministre a répondu que de nouvelles mesures seront prochainement prises pour alléger les procédures liées à l’octroi des visas aux touristes étrangers. Ces procédures, a-t-il expliqué, seront étudiées par une commission mixte, présidée par le Premier ministre, qui se compose des ministères des Affaires étrangères et de l’Intérieur.":

Extrait d'El Watan....May be we can have a little hope....cool4:

Message - El Watan ... 82_258.php

RR.
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Old 20 Nov 2016
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Hi folks,
I can confirm that. One of my algerian friends talked last Thursday to Algerian Minister of Foreign Affairs and "minister promised to make easy for tourists to get visa as son as possible. As before you will need only invitation from tourist agency and you send it direct to Embassy".
I will go to Djanet soon but we got the visas based on current procedure with "attestation" issued by Foreign Affairs in Algiers.
I will write when the procedure really changes...
Artur
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Old 22 Nov 2016
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Quote:
Originally Posted by artur urbanski View Post
Hi folks,
I can confirm that. One of my algerian friends talked last Thursday to Algerian Minister of Foreign Affairs and "minister promised to make easy for tourists to get visa as son as possible. As before you will need only invitation from tourist agency and you send it direct to Embassy".
I will go to Djanet soon but we got the visas based on current procedure with "attestation" issued by Foreign Affairs in Algiers.
I will write when the procedure really changes...
Artur
Look forward to any update! Like many I hope for the day when we can travel unescorted and enter the country more easily.
Nick
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  #15  
Old 23 Nov 2016
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Quote:
Originally Posted by artur urbanski View Post
"...As before you will need only invitation from tourist agency ... "
Which basically translate in Algeria still not being interested in tourism. I can ride in Tunisia without such invitation or visa. Same with riding Morocco. Show up at the border with a valid passport, get greeted with welcomes and enjoy your trip... So, it looks like Algeria is (again) missing the boat... ;-(

Lee
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