I have asked Tanezrouft Agency about hiring a guide for a following route: Taleb Larbi> Touggourt> Hassi bel Guebbour>across Erg Issaouane (A2 route in "Sahara Overland")> Illizi>Tarat> Bordj el Haouas> Serouenout> Ideles> Hirhafok> Assekrem> Tam>A11> Ideles>A9> Amguid> A12 (along Eastern side of Erg Tifernine)> Hassi bel Guebbour> Touggourt> Taleb Larbi.

They said that "driving through Erg Issaouanne, Erg Tiffernine, Erg Oriental, Erg Chech, the Illizi - Tarat piste and Bordj Omar Driss - Amguid is still not permitted for tourism. But south of Illizi and In Salah there are almost no restrictions."

I know that Army Command banned vehicles from remote Saharan paths at night across 6 southern provinces. Was this ban expanded to day crossings?

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www.globerider.pl

That is a great route you have put together Tomek but much of this area remains closed to tourists - long after the horse has bolted, so to speak - following the 2003 mass kidnappings which unfolded all around there.

It's not so much a list or ergs as a list of restricted places, some which happen to be ergs.

If you get to Ilizzi you could take A4 off the Fadnoun, then follow A7, and from Tourha Pass (A7/KM357) cut NW to Garet, over the top and so down to In Ecker or up to Arak for fuel via Sli Edrar (very nice rock) - or carry on down towards Ideles on A7 (also v nice run) then, south of the Green Sign, take the red track on the Mich map that hooks under the Tefedest. When clear of the hills you can curve back NW cross country towards In Ecker for fuel.
From In Ecker what we did a year ago was follow A12 to Amguid but cut off west through a nice little pass before Tidikmar to some dunes, and then work our way NW to Sli Edrar, close to the road and then up to Arak for fuel.
From In Ecker or Moulay or Arak there are several ways into the Ahnet on the west side of the TSH to bring you up to In Salah or wherever you like.
Or from Arak there is the old Hoggar piste via Tadjemout oasis and another big guelta to In Salah; a quick way of getting north not on the TSH.
Opposite Tadjemout on the W side of the TSH is Erg Mehajebat, big dunes. Accessible x-country directly west from Tadj passing a big dune.

There are some pix and a map of some of these routes here: Desert Riders Tour - Sahara 2008

I especially like the white granite sands and outcrops around Garet, Sli and Tesnou ('Elephant Rock').

There is still a lot to see and do out there, even with the restrictions. Alg is a big country.

Ch

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Morocco Overland 4 (2025) • Trans Morocco Trail

That will do. Thank you.

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www.globerider.pl

Hello

I’m now starting to make plans for my next desert route and this is a good topic to start with.

The guide in Algeria is still obligatory right? How did these fellows that when on motorcycles solve the problem? Did they wire a guide with a 4x4?

I’m aware of the problems in Niger around the Air Mountains but is there safe any to go to Tenere via Algeria? The information that I have is that there are open borders but it’s not very safe….


thanks

bernardo feio

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bernardo feio (Portugal)
2.5 Land Rover Lightweight / BMW R80 G/S PD / Toyota HZJ 78

Hi,

>The guide in Algeria is still obligatory right?
Yes

>How did these fellows that when on motorcycles solve the problem?
The guide travels by his 4x4 carrying water food, fuel, etc.

>is there safe any to go to Tenere via Algeria?
No, even driving down from Assamaka to Artlit - Agadez - Niamey is still risky (military convoy from Arlit to Niamey).

Regards, Yves

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Yves

Thanks


So if I want to travel with out paying a guide and I like desert my only chance in the north of Africa is to travel to Marrocos, Sahara Ocidental, Mauritania and Tunísia

For Libia, Algeria, Egipt I’m stuck with a guide

…and Niger, Mali, Sudan and Chad are not safe....



One more question: in Algeria beside the guide is also necessary the Tourist Police?

Bernardo Feio

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bernardo feio (Portugal)
2.5 Land Rover Lightweight / BMW R80 G/S PD / Toyota HZJ 78

In Tunisia the guide (and a military escort) is also needed for the most of southern desert...

RR.

I have been planning a trip in 2010 which pretty much covers routes A1/A2 & A3 from the Sahara Overland book. From your thread it looks like all these routes are closed - Am I correct to think that?

Am I correct to think that?

Currently, I believe so. Dont know about A1, but A2 and -3, both great routes, are in the Illizi wilaya or department which I believe reduced access in the area following '2003' and may open it again this year.

If not on this forum, watch the Algeria page for updates.
Sahara Overland ~ Algeria visa and travel information

The southeast is the traditional area to explore but I've done a few good routes west of the Trans Sahara Highway since the book came out.
It's a bit more open and less mountainous so you can make it up as you go along, with great driving/riding and landscapes.
Map: http://www.adventure-motorcycling.co...pix/dR8map.jpg
Just finished Tom Sheppard's new book which is largely set there.

Ch

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Morocco Overland 4 (2025) • Trans Morocco Trail

Hi,

this week I was told, that the Erg Chech is again open for tourism, though I do not know the extent of the zone opened nor have any confirmation of someone who did it with success.
Permission for the planned itinerary must be requested 10 days before in Adrar, entry and exit must be declared. A local guide is required.

The Amguid area is still closed for tourism.

Regards, Yves

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Yves

the Erg Chech is again open for tourism...


Great news but who ever goes there!?
Could that mean the Tanezrouft piste to BBM is open too?

Ch

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Morocco Overland 4 (2025) • Trans Morocco Trail

Chris,

>Could that mean the Tanezrouft piste to BBM is open too?

I do not know it yet. But don't think so because the Tanezrouft is more difficult to secure. Will investigate on this subject.

Yves

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Yves