Me and my gang are going to Tamanrasset in September. We're going to take two weeks to drive to Djanet and back. We've all been down there before but.... I've suddenly realised that I don't know as much about the region as I thought. So the question is... what's between that Tamanrasset and Djanet that I REALLY should know about??

Ta

Mike

I propose you go one way along Route A7 (very nice around Tefedest, Amadror and of course Atakor/Assekrem) and the other via Tirinine, Tadant and Tin Tarabine wells (listed E to W) south of the regular A6 Sereounout route.
It is particuilarly interesting around Tin Tarabine (route not in my guidebook but described in Desert Travels): unusual rocks (see cover of D Travels), rock art etc. We've done it a couple of times in the last year; the guide will know all the spots.

Ch

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We're doing much the same trip later in the year for the 4th time. Based on previous visits, we expect to spend much more time near Djanet and much less time on the western half near Tam. The area round Djanet has the best the Sahara can offer in terms of landscapes - reg, erg and mountains. In places all 3 intersect making for the most beautiful settings. I like the area immediately west of Mount Tazat and the open desert on the more southerly loop between Djanet and Tam.

It would be useful to hear more about the area west of the Tam to In Salah road.

It would be useful to hear more about the area west of the Tam to In Salah road.

Plenty to see there too:
Words & pics:
http://www.sahara-overland.com/Sfiles/goats.htm (towards the end)
Pics, large amounts:
http://www.zen24593.zen.co.uk/algeria2005/
More words pics and vid:
http://www.overlanders-handbook.com/MAN/index3.htm (towards the end)

Ch

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much to see and little to read on

Algerien 2007 - a photoset on Flickr

its a great landscape!

ursula

Cheers team. I'll get the map out and have a look at suggestions later....

Mike

"It is particuilarly interesting around Tin Tarabine (route not in my guidebook but described in Desert Travels): unusual rocks (see cover of D Travels), rock art etc. We've done it a couple of times in the last year; the guide will know all the spots."
I totaly agree with Chris , we done this route this winter : very beautiful with different landscapes : look at books and photos to choose what you want to see , because there is a lot.

Just back from two weeks down south. it was great. Lots of greenery about and so many fat, and happy, camels it ain't funny.
We weren't really off the beaten track at all and apart from Assekrem only saw one other group of tourists.



Some random notes:
First time I'd been back to Tamanrasset since 2002. It's expansion since then is pretty unreal. The town is, no surprise here, becoming unsustainable. The new idea, being considered, is to pump water from Ain Salah. When I was there in 2002 I spoke to a water person. He said that in his opinion Tamanrasset's water resources are good for about 20/25 thousand people and going above that is folly. With over 100,000 now surely that folly is looming.

The new International terminal at Algiers is Ok but the experience is no better than in the old one. Signs of wear and tear already.
Arrived and went for the bus to get to the domestic terminal (I know it's only a quick walk) and there was no bus in sight. Driver/s had gone for a break cos it was Ramadan. Both bank branches at airport were closed on arrival. Only do the usual business hours.
Coming back and the plane flew to the new terminal. Great we thought. Then we were taken by bus to the domestic one. After a half hour wait the bags arrived and then we and about thirty others walked back to the international terminal.... I love Algeria.
The new terminal was built with Chinese labour. In a nation with huge unemployment not even the labouring jobs were given to Algerians. Several people made the claim to us that some of the chinese labour was prison labour. :confused1:

For the last night of our trip we thought we'd go up to Assekrem. The road especially the last four kilometres is in a VERY poor state. VERY poor. So much so that we stopped the drivers and said it's not worth the wear and tear on the vehicles and we'd walk. Despite that they decided to go on.
We camped down from Assekrem. The night was full of howling (is that the word?) jackals. The sound was haunting, brilliant even.

Near Afara we came across a team of labourers burying a telecom cable. The trench digging and cable laying was being done by hand. They said that some days they did up to 2km. They were heading west(ish). I couldn't understand where they were laying the cable to. Rather them than me.

We stayed a night in Djanet. Is it me or is Djanet as dull as a dull place?

By contrast one of our drivers is from Tazrouk and suggested we have a night there. Top idea! Big meal put on. Lots of people about.
Strange that the population is given at 5,000 and yet, I swear, there were about a million kids out and about.

I had a row with some surly bearded Imam. He was new to Tazrouk and had a very definite problem with our presence. Good news is that most people there are a bit wary of his being there.

Anyone know what those small cat sized black furry things that live in the rocks are? I'd never seen them before and saw about five over the two weeks.

I'll "shut up" now...

Mike

Thanks for the feedback Mike.

Fyi water in Tam is a lot better than it used to be. In the early 80s it only flowed from 8-10 and 4-6pm. I dont know where they get it all from now.

If that Afara cable was going anywhere it would be to Tamadjert village north of Tiodane Erg.

most people there are a bit wary of his being there.

Same thing happened in Kidal (Mali) with 'mullahs' moving in but they didnt take to them either which is good to know - and so the 'new Afghanistan' as predicted by the US never happened. Tuaregs seem immune to Islamism while still up for a fight as we are seeing down south.

Anyone know what those small cat sized black furry things that live in the rocks are? I'd never seen them before and saw about five over the two weeks.

We saw one among the rocks coming off Garet a couple of years ago and asked the guide. His translation we interpreted as "a nadger badger" - get too close and it will go for your WT so consider yourself lucky.

Funnily enough I've never seen anything like it mentioned in any Sahara books alongside all the usual snakes and spiders and gazelly things.

Could be some sort of marmot - saw them in Mori once but you are right - it was definitely cat-like. Wouldnt say that of a Mori marmot. Maybe someone out there knows.

Ch

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We leave for Tunis in the middle of decembre and wnat to proced for Djanet, Tamanraset and then to niger, with a lot of time to go. I`ve no idea what they charge for an official guide to acompane us. Can we- for example- hire a guide for the way to Djanet, stay there allone for a wile and hire him or another later to continue to tamanraset.
How much do they charge per day or per week.
It would be very helpful to get news. What about the security in this area?
I`m waiting for you replies. Thanks
Axell

About price of a guide , look at :

Sahara Overland ~ Algeria travel information

About security , there is no problem around Djanet and Tam but NOW it's not recommendeed to go to Niger .

For your plans to stay alone in Djanet , ask the agency where you hire your guide .

Have a nice trip .

RR.