Does anyone know about the possibility of traversing the Bilma-Zouar route in late 2011? Needless to say, when I was last in Chad in 2010, I couldn't find any information about this route.

The overall route which I would look to take would be Agadez-Bilma-Zouar-Bardai-Zouar-The Ennedi (Faya-Fada-Archei)-Abechei-Ndjamena.

I know a guide would be needed for Agadez-Bilma, but I am not too certain about if the guide would be needed to the Chad border, similarly, where a guide would be picked up in Zouar?

Thanks for any information.

Trans-African.

No reputable guide will take you to the Tenere at present: There were quite a few nasty robberies lately in which even local Tuareg were affected. You can always check the latest situation with the guys at Anakom Voyages (their main guide Ahmed knows Chad (Tibesti & Ennedi) well.

Good luck!

Alberto

Friends of mine tried to go Febr-2011 from Nguimi (E-Niger, north of the Chad lake) to Bilma. They could not get a permit (“C'est pour votre securite”) and were escorted back to the direction Zinder. Than they went to Termit. There they were stopped by the military. They had to go back with an escort to Zinder. Frim there they went to Agadez by asphalt. From there they wanted to get a guide to the Air or to Bilma. Several agencies told them that it is not possible. There is no permit available for foreigners, only Japanese tourist can get a permit and have to go with a military escort. They also were not allowed to leave Agadez to the north, only by escort to the south.

A very interesting point came from some military persons when they were escorted back from Termit to Zinder. He sayed: The Chinese had a concession for 25 years to suck out the oil from the teneree area – than the Niger covernment can use the oil pump stations. There are already 65 drilling stations near Agadem (Erg of Bilma). In the area of Termit, around Fachi and north of Bilma they are on their way to set up the same amount.

Cheers
Michel

Ps. If someone wants to try to get an Algeria visa in Niger: It is NOT possible, neither in Niamey nor in Agadez (my friends also tried to get it).