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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 26 Feb 2014
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Originally Posted by Richard Washington View Post
With regards to the Niger-Algeria crossing, I would expect that the Algerian authorities might have some to say once you arrived!
Well yes, this info was not meant for the ordinary tourist.
However, supposing you had your Alg visa in order, and you showed up in Tam presenting yourself to the DRS, what would they do?

The auberge in Agadez was fine, but I do get unnerved by the constant presence of Kalashnikows and 'technicals'. So preferred then to stay quietly with touareg friends.
The idea of escorted tourism has little appeal to me; not only the cost (I am a budget traveller), but the thought of NOT being able to go where and when I please, and talk to locals in a relaxed manner takes away all the pleasure and the purpose from being in the Sahara with a 4x4.
(Then I heard that Russian and Chinese tourists actually enjoy the armed escort; makes them feel like VIPs I supposee, and adds to the excitement being in a VERY DANGEROUS place...)
Last edited by priffe; 26 Feb 2014 at 23:04.
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Old 26 Feb 2014
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When I was in Agadez and the Air several years back (during the interval between rebellions and kidnappings), the local Touareg guides were all very willing to take me into Algeria, assuring me that they did this regularly and effortlessly. I chose not to believe them and decided to wait another year and see whether security contented to improve, as seemed likely at the time, or deteriorated. This was almost certainly the right decision. I'm still waiting, but in light of the fact that I'm getting increasingly old and soft it might be a trip I never make.

I appreciate the report and responsiveness to questions here.

Mark
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Old 26 Feb 2014
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Originally Posted by priffe View Post
Well yes, this info was not meant for the ordinary tourist.
However, supposing you had your Alg visa in order, and you showed up in Tam presenting yourself to the DRS, what would they do?
I would expect the Algerian authorities would be more reasonable under these circumstances than if one went from Algeria to Niger and pitched up in Niger having crossed a closed border (which cost me 10 days + once). But I would still expect there to be a delay in the case of arrival in Algeria while the Algerian authorities figured things out, or got advice from up the line. Given that the border is closed, they would probably want quite a lot of detail on which route you took. I would also wonder about those drones and how they might tell a tourist apart from someone else running the border. It might be something they only establish once they have done their 'work'.

On the issue of escorts in the desert - I am with you 100%. It ruins things for me when you get escorted round. But it looks like that condition is going to stay a long time.
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Old 26 Feb 2014
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Markharf, I think it was comparatively easy to sneak across the Alg border back then.
The game has changed, and is constantly changing.
I was quoted 1500 euros for a guide to Tam.

Had long talks with touaregs and libyans about driving through north of Niger.
The need to carry arms.
The (mutual) fear when you meet headlights in the dark.
The preference for gasoline V8.
And many other aspects of trying to stay alive in the north.

I heard from north Burkina (Dori) that a German couple were shot in the legs by the gendarmes after running a checkpoint driving at night, fearing bandits. Bad things happen, even in peaceful Burkina.
Near Dori I asked local touaregs if they would go to Kidal: "not for a million CFA".
Gao? "Only if we really had to. Too many bandits, high on cocaine and other drugs, just too dangerous".

Makes Mauretania and Chad look all the more appealing at this point in time.
Last edited by priffe; 1 Mar 2014 at 02:24.
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