Niger safety and general west-east camel chat

[constanttrek]

Hi all,

I have just read all the way through this thread with increasing fascination.

The Canadian Consul in Niger (who has returned since the February coup) seems very hopeful regarding the future of security in Niger - although as is often the case, this may simply mean security around Niamey and south, rather than the border areas of the North.

I was interested when looking at the map re: kidnappings in the Sahara since 2003, to note that there had been none in the desert region north of Agadez to the Libyan border - through the Tenere and up to Bilma.

Is this accurate? I had thought this area to be not only volatile regarding kidnapping, but also heavily mined.

Does anyone have any further information?

I was also intrigued to read about the profile of those kidnapped. Independent travellers do seem to be low down the scale in favour of aid workers - although the music festival kidnapping does not fit that scenario.

It seems that in many ways it is as it always was - if you travel with locals, in a low key fashion, your chances of getting through are as good as they ever were.

Problem of course is that the paperwork simply won't allow it - does anyone know if tourists have been crossing the Nigerienne/Libyan border at all from either side?

Cheers
Paula