Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > North Africa
North Africa Topics specific to North Africa and the Sahara down to the 17th parallel (excludes Morocco)
Photo by James Duncan, Universe Camp, Uyuni Salt Flats

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by James Duncan,
"Universe Camp"
Uyuni Salt Flats



Trans Sahara Routes.

Like Tree3Likes
  • 2 Post By ursula
  • 1 Post By netllama

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 1 Week Ago
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: zagreb, croatia
Posts: 42
Salt caravans - Agadez to Bilma or other

Hey guys.

Anyone knows anything about Agadez to Bilma salt caravan? Does it still happen, at what scale, and is it possible to join? How is safety nowadays in this part of Niger?
Any usefull contacts for a fixer in Agadez?

If that's over or too unsafe, any info of some other camel caravan going on anywhere in Sahara? I've been to Chad 3 years ago and heard that there are many smaller caravans going on in the north. But something that could be tracked and organized to join, and as reliable as it gets?

A contact of any reliable tour agent or fixer in Niger would also be well appreciated!

Many thanx!
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 1 Week Ago
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: zürich
Posts: 290
Salt Caravan Chad and Niger

Hello Davor
This reliable agency offers an accompanied tour in Chad
https://www.indigoreisen.ch/Sonderreisen (Switzerland)
18 Tage
Salzkarawane Faya Largeau
Wird 4 Monate vor Reisebeginn die Mindestteilnehmerzahl von 2 Personen nicht erreicht, wird die Reise abgesagt.
Falls die Reise stattfindet, ist Anmeldeschluss 2 Monate vor Abreise.

Die Reise beginnt in N’Djamena, der Hauptstadt des Tschad. Von hier aus fahren Sie durch Sahel– und Saharalandschaften Richtung Norden nach Faya Largeau. In dieser Oase wird Salz abgebaut. Dieses Salz ist ein lebenswichtiges Mineral für Mensch und Tier.

Mit Ihrem Reisleiter zusammen suchen Sie in der Oase eine Salzkarawane, die Sie mitnimmt, und ziehen dann mit ihr von Faya Largeau in den Süden ins Wadi Achim und in das Gebiet von Ati.
Sie sind ca. 8 Tage mit der Salzkarawane unterwegs.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Werner Gartung Oase Reisen Germany:
Another provider who took part in the big salt caravan through the Tenere to Bilma wrote a book about it could be helpful for Niger

Good luck!
Ursula

btw: Danakil and Taoudenni are probably too dangerous at the moment

Last edited by ursula; 1 Week Ago at 18:40.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 1 Week Ago
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: zagreb, croatia
Posts: 42
Thank you Ursula, this is very helpful. I contacted those links for Chad.

Regarding safety, you say Danakil and Taoudenni are too dangerous, but do you think Agadez is not?

Has anyone been there since the military junta took over the power?
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 1 Week Ago
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: zürich
Posts: 290
Niger or Chad ?

Hi
Gartung / Oase Reisen offers an off-road vehicle tour between Agadez and Bilma in November 2024,
but mentions mandatory military accompaniment
«Dennoch fahren ab Niamey Soldaten in zwei Pickups mit – das ist Vorschrift.»
https://www.oasereisen.de/reise/tour...nere-im-niger/

Maybe you can translate his page with a program?
I've also read about the obligatory escort in Niger on other sites.

I haven't been to Niger for a long time, but I've been to Chad every year and again next winter.
I judge the situation in Ennedi to be less dangerous than between Agadez and Bilma.
But you never know what to expect, these aren't just little boring Sunday trips...

All the best Ursula
(now offline until mid-June)
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 1 Week Ago
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: zürich
Posts: 290
Niger

another reliable travel agency in Germany is planing to visit Niger this winter - so it must be quite ok
https://desertreisen.de/reiseprogramm/afrika/niger.html
(off-road vehicle tour)

>>> Kosten für vorgeschriebenen lokalen Begleitschutz = the tourists have to pay the mandatory escort
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 1 Week Ago
Chris Scott's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jun 2000
Posts: 4,824
Would be great to revisit amazing Tenere, no one's been there for 10 years, afaik.
But 6000eu for 2 weeks in the desert?
I suppose the Wagner escorts take their bite ;-)
Maybe they have restored security too?
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 1 Week Ago
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 40
Quote:
Originally Posted by ursula View Post
another reliable travel agency in Germany is planing to visit Niger this winter - so it must be quite ok
https://desertreisen.de/reiseprogramm/afrika/niger.html
(off-road vehicle tour)

>>> Kosten für vorgeschriebenen lokalen Begleitschutz = the tourists have to pay the mandatory escort
I've traveled with Desert Reisen (in Chad, back in November 2022). They organize a fairly good tour, but are pricey, although the quality of their tour leaders is a bit erratic. Mine was well past retirement age, and seemed to have memory problems. I heard that the tour leader on a different one of their trips was spectacular, extremely knowledgeable, capable, and personable.

Fair warning, the vast majority of their clients are German speakers (not surprising considering they're a German tour company). You might end up in a group that speaks little English, which can be a fairly isolating experience when you're out in the remote desert for such a long time. Of the 9 people in my group, 3 spoke fluent English, 3 spoke a little English, and the remainder almost none at all. The tour leader spoke basic English, which was good enough for important communication, but attempts to carry on a conversation were mostly a failure. Obviously, its always a roll of the dice with any group, but language barriers can be especially frustrating when there's very few opportunities to go off on your own (in urban areas, etc).

I'd likely use Desert Reisen again, and I've honestly been eyeing that Niger tour perhaps for 2025.
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Visiting the Glaoui salt mine near Telouet Tim Cullis Morocco 1 4 Weeks Ago 11:12
I finally did it: Quit my job, sold my home and have gone riding!!! lightcycle Ride Tales 2105 13 Aug 2020 18:42
In search of a place in Salt Lake City to store a car with a bike trailer ilek North America 0 16 Dec 2018 02:33
KLR to MOA Salt Lake City prigel Welcome to HU 0 4 Jun 2017 02:13
Life Remotely - From our home in Seattle to Tierra del Fuego in a 1997 4Runner LifeRemotely 4 Wheels Travel Reports 14 2 Mar 2013 16:29

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

2025:

  • Queensland is back! Date TBC - May?

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 21:58.