Morocco and North Africa
 

Hey!

Considering a trip down to Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia then up through Italy. Just need a bit of advice:

1. 2 females riding on their own - is this advisable? (religion, safety etc)

2. Is algeria still in a dodgy position and is the strip between Oran and Algiers the only safe place to travel?

3. Can we enter Algeria or are the borders still closed (north west)?

4. Are there any rules about going off-road or off the beaten track?

5. Is it safe to camp?

6. Are there any problems with money? (I read that in Mauritania you had to spend a min. of $30 a day which was detailed in little stamp books?)

Cheers!

Interesting first post, welcome!

1. Depends on the females. Keep the attitude and clothes sensible and you should have no problems.

2. Depends on the area. It may be too soon to cruise around in the south. If Chris Scott is off to Morocco this year instead of Algeria, it may be a clue.

3. Algeria/Morocco border is closed. You'll need to loop south and enter Algeria via Mali. Algeria/Tunisia border is open.

4. Don't do it without experience. Which if you had you wouldn't ask the question, so no.

5. Read up on the following areas; fire safety, scorpian awareness, asphixiation through a collapsed tent... Camping is as safe as you make it.

6. Usually countries don't like you 'exporting' huge amount of local cash. But as tourists it shouldn't be too much of a problem.

Hope this all helps. For lots of useful info check out Chris Scott's website,

http://www.sahara-overland.com


Iain

My wife and I, with our bike, travelled all around Morocco and Tunisia (and also all around the Med) without any problem.
But we avoided Algeria, since it's well known as a dangerous country, especially on the coast and for indipendent travellers.