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Possible new border: Tindouf–Zouerat; new highway Choum–Tidjikja Possible new border: Tindouf–Zouerat; new highway Choum–Tidjikja
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North Africa Topics specific to North Africa and the Sahara down to the 17th parallel (excludes Morocco)
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
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Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Trans Sahara Routes.

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  #1  
Old 13 Oct 2017
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Possible new border: Tindouf–Zouerat; new highway Choum–Tidjikja
Even if it is yet remote in time, it opens an interesting path:

https://www.dzbreaking.com/2017/10/1...-open-borders/

Especially for those going to Atar, etc.

Cheers,

Cutrex
Last edited by Chris Scott; 17 Oct 2017 at 12:44.
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  #2  
Old 14 Oct 2017
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Well. It is interesting. But it won't help adventure riders who can't even access Algeria's South territories. I think it is good news anyway, but for locals. ;-)
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  #3  
Old 14 Oct 2017
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"linking Algeria’s Tindouf province to the Mauritanian city of Zouerat."

Zouerat is however almost a 1000 kms from Tindouf

Wonder what they would say if we showed up at the post with a fresh Algerian visa.
Problem is more that the whole northeast of Mauretania is declared a military no-go zone by maure government.

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  #4  
Old 14 Oct 2017
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Yes, I agree. Moreover, arriving at the zone of Tindouf from, say, the entry port of Oran (there is a ferry Almeria to Oran) will not be easy anyway. But within the oscillatory dynamics of security in the region, this movement is in a convenient direction.

It might save one day in the trip to Atar from the Mediterranean, therefore we can caress that possibility.

Cheers,

Cutrex
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  #5  
Old 14 Oct 2017
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Hello "Cutrex",

thank you for the info.
In January (2017) I followed the south part of the Med-Westafrika highway froum Choum via Atar, Tidjikja and Kiffa to Kankossa - nearly 100% new paved highway (driving time about 20 hours).
South of Tindouf and north of Zouerat I don't know the road conditions, but they will change quickly - if they (Alg- and Mauri authorities) will - in less then one year to an absolute speedhighway - no problem at all.
There was a public bus going from Oran via Tanezrouft to Niamey (50-100 years ago, nearly every day) in 48 hours on a solar lightend route by nighttime! and Oran ist also connected to Marseille by boats. So, from south France to the heart of Westafrika (50-100 years ago was a french colony) it was a 72 hour trip by public transport on land and sea (I made this route in 2009 by my own car in less driving time alone by night without any light - new moon, no elctricity on board for lamps).

The same will be with the Oran via Tindouf to Bamako road in less time in the future -Insha Allah.

Cheers
Ferdi
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  #6  
Old 16 Oct 2017
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Interesting news. Many Sahara borders are open to locals only, and I'm sure this will be the same. Tindouf has been off limits to tourists since Polisario war.

I wonder if by building a Med-Westafrika highway via Tindouf to Mori (old French inland route from the 1950s to dodge Spanish Atlantic territories in WS; see map) the Algies are trying to undermine similar grand projects along the Atlantic Route in Moroccan WS.

Afaik, that route was last driven in 1959 by a nutter in a Ford Zephyr as the independence wars were reaching their peak.

Ferdi, is the road really nearly all sealed from Choum to Tidjikja?
That was quick.

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Old 16 Oct 2017
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Hello Chris,

between Oujeft and Ain Cevra there was in January this year one section of unpaved piste of about 50 km. The rest from Choum to Kankossa was 9 month ago finest tared road.

Cheers
Ferdi

(second photo is about 30km SE of Oujeft)
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Possible new border: Tindouf–Zouerat; new highway Choum–Tidjikja-date_time_20170104_111435.jpg  

Possible new border: Tindouf–Zouerat; new highway Choum–Tidjikja-date_time_20170103_140407.jpg  

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Old 16 Oct 2017
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Amazing; thanks.
I see the new road 50km NW of Rachid on GE, but then the tile turns to dunes.
Never heard of/can't find Ain Cevra. Where is that?
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Old 16 Oct 2017
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I believe Ferdi might refer to 'Ain safra' (yellow springs).

In this case you will find it at [19°31'58.13"N, 12° 6'0.20"W]. More exactly, these are the coordinates of a road building base where in Nov-2016 we had to repair a broken axle of one of our cars (you should have seen the welder, protecting his eyes only with cheap chinese sunglasses). They were really kind, and to thank it I digitized in OSM the new paved road to Rachid, as well as the perimeter of the settlement. Just put 'ain safra mauritania' in the search box of OSM.

Cheers,

Cutrex
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Old 16 Oct 2017
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Yes, Ain Serfa is in the middle of the line from Atar to Tidjikja - a very nice oasis with very nice people. "Serva" is written on the plate of my photo, but it is the same. I visited that place 5 years before, coming on the old piste from Chinguetti - now new age - 200 km in 2 hours to Tidjikja, police control in Rachid included.

Cheers
Ferdi
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  #11  
Old 17 Oct 2017
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Thanks, I see it now buried on the Faraoun 200k sheet.
And prominently on the Bab Sahara map - should have looked their first.
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  #12  
Old 21 Oct 2017
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This news kept on popping up persistently in the last years - personally I was a bit sceptical - but heeey Ferdi, this is really great news after all: Choum - Kankossa tarmac!
I guess it won't take long to upgrade the Bou Lanouar - Choum piste too.
Vrecha reports that Choum - Zouerat is tarmac also, with one minor section still unfinished.
Priffe: Zouerat - Tindouf is a long way indeed, but the piste is peace of cake, even lorries and semitrailers do it. Possible new border: Tindouf–Zouerat; new highway Choum–Tidjikja-picture-205.jpgPossible new border: Tindouf–Zouerat; new highway Choum–Tidjikja-nkc-tft-feb-2012-22
Which leaves us with the paperwork problem: if the border is truly opened, I guess it will be some kind of "escorte" arrangement, like we used to have on central Alg southwards route to Niger before "the war on terror" killed transsaharan travels.
Worth a try, anyway.
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Old 22 Oct 2017
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Water supply on way from Oujeft to Tidżikdża
Hi i will try cycling in Mauritania and i see on maps that between Oujeft and Tidżikdża is nothing. Do you know any spots where i could get water or use my filter?
Thanks.
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  #14  
Old 22 Oct 2017
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I believe there are several villages along or off the road between Oujeft and Tidjikja where you can get water - certainly every day.
Or passing traffic if you're stuck.
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Old 22 Oct 2017
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thanks for answer
could someone who used this road can confirm there is 100% cover with tarmac between Oujeft and Tidżikdża? And how many cars pass this road a day in january?
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