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North Africa Topics specific to North Africa and the Sahara down to the 17th parallel (excludes Morocco)
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 4 Feb 2008
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From other sources I've heared that it was a self-drive group backed up by some Baharya operator. There are some big gaps in the story, most notable the apparent lack of an escorting officer, and their failure to report the incident to egyptian authorities. For the time being take the report with a pinch of salt, it could even be that the cars were confiscated by the egyptian military, and the story is built for an insurance claim.

I'm heading to Cairo this coming friday, will try to find out more.
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  #2  
Old 4 Feb 2008
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From Bahrya Oasis
The story from a source in bahrya oasis that they were a self drive group and the rubbers took 2 cars only and there was no military escort with them.
I asked:
Why the rubbers didn’t take the 4 cars? And the story says 2 cars engine wouldn’t start
I asked:
Why they didn’t take the tires, in the desert sand tires are very precious and important.

Also, how we know they where at 8 bells? It’s possible they were deep inside Sudan and exposed themselves?

Some facts are missing here!

Mahmoud Mohareb
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  #3  
Old 6 Feb 2008
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This is a reply I have received from an Egyptian operator.

IMO some of the 'our PoVs' raised are debatable (obviously the Egyptian driver disappered fast) or contradictory ('camping in the open to hid from military') or already answered (Egyptian car was said to be a banger), but they are there observations after all.

My obs: If the Germans were on the Sand Sheet south of the border they asked for it even if it is an unprecedented event. If they were north, much less so though I doubt a permit or the presence of an officer would have made much difference. In my experience the 'officer' is without comms or arms and changes into civvies to enjoy a fortnight out of the barracks and some good tucker.

So I suppose the true location of he robbery would be of interest.

fyi, in Germany and maybe elsewhere in Europe (but not in the UK) it is possible to get near-normal priced motor insurance with theft cover for 'Europe and Mediterranean' countries. Egypt is Med, Sudan is not...

Ch



We would like to clarify the truth concerning the*robberies* took place in the 8 bells , let us advice you the real fact as following :
*
Two German people lost their deal with their arranging desert safari company, they refused their conditions & prices, that was after the travel agent issued the permits of their trip so they return back the original permits but they kept the copies*with them.
*
They made another deal with an Egyptian driver ( xxxxx xxxxx ) *, this deal to help them to enter the desert with their own 2 cars &*the driver car without any permits [or] Guide as well as the policeman ( officer ) without passing any military check points.
*
Their trip*was to the Gilf EL Kabir , while they were on their direction to the 8*Bills*, they sat up their camp in the middle of open desert ( Salama Sand Sheet ) in the Egypt -Sudan Boarders.
*
It was very very early morning on 26/01/2008 - 15 Sudanese armed men wear deep black cloths*covered to the head* ( camouflage *clothes ) ridding 02* Toyota* pick up cars - crossing this area of the desert , they saw*their *un hidden camp which was with just 03 normal peoples *, they took the two Germans' cars & leave for the Egyptian car**as it was in a bad condition ( as they informed*) *& left them after they took all their equipment's - money , then they returned back to their direction to Sudan *with an easy way.
*
*
Our points* of* view regarding this* strange robbery* as following :
===============================================
-**Great gaps of this strange*story is missed , but if we agree with the German people in what they said please note the following :-
*
- they entered the deep desert ( un legal* boarders ) without any permits as well as security ( policeman)**or at least the guide to show them the safety ways in the desert.
*
- they sat up their camp on an open area , although* we know very well that we should camp*beside*any mountain or shelter . But because they want to disappear *from the military *check points*& the driver*doesn't the professional person, they didn't find any places except this place.
*
- we really surprised that the German people made their tourism police report in Cairo although that any one in their* situation will*go fast to any police point to help them , that means**that they* didn't care about any thing except the insurance of the cars ?????
*
- Also we wonder why the robbers take the German cars & leave the Egyptian car & why the driver is disappeared after this incident.
*
-* In all cases , if the German cars were seen some where in the desert without permits , it would be impounded *by* the boarders police ( legal authorities* of Egypt - Libya - Sudan ) .*
So all of us thinking if the cars really taken,sure *its were impounded by the Sudanese* boards police & they made up this story to get the insurance*of the cars.
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  #4  
Old 6 Feb 2008
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Gilf Kebir ???
what about the money they must deposit to get the carnet?


the holdup was on N 22 46,872 E 026 16,193 (wpts from the guides gps)
pics coming showing the robbers fleeing and some of the 8bells in background

his tel nr to ask him personally
egypt Mobilnummer +20168557627


Ursula
his reports on [www.buschtaxi.de] - Thema anzeigen - Neues aus Aegypten
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  #5  
Old 6 Feb 2008
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what about the money they must deposit to get the carnet?


I would guess if your vehicle is genuinely stolen and you have a police report etc, it is discharged, though not easily I imagine.

Thanks for the waypoint; looks like 8 Bells to me.

Ch
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  #6  
Old 6 Feb 2008
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Question Gilf Kebir???
I also dont know what happened there - but remember, 2 years ago there was another holdup just in the south of Uweinat on the sudanese side, rather brutal
Ursula
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  #7  
Old 6 Feb 2008
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but remember, 2 years ago there was another holdup just in the south of Uweinat on the sudanese side, rather brutal


Oh really? I missed that one (I think I was in the region 2 years ago).
TBH, with the state of Darfur I would not be surprised if roaming bands of Janjaweed or whoever take a punt up north in the tourist season.

And as has been the case in Niger, the stealing of tourists' foreign vehicles is no great bother to the local authorities: they want adventure, they got it.
But once theives pick on local cars it gets personal. And the cars in Egypt (TLC 70s, 105s etc) are usually in much better shape than Niger.

Ch
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