Across algeria and niger hitching or public transport?

[imogen]

I work in Ghana and have taken the mauri- mali- burkina or mauri- senegal etc route in the past, hitching and on public transport, with helpful advice off the HUBB! although I cant drive. In jan/feb 2010 - I want to take the route through in-salah, tamanrasset and across at in-guezzam to agadez then onwards to ghana. Can't find out anywhere firstly whether there is any public bus along that road from in-salah to in-guezzam and then inwards through Niger, and secondly if not whether there's the possibility of hitching as there is at the morrocco - mauri border. Is anyone able to advise?
The other question is about guides and visa. Is a guide necessary for a pedestrian girl travelling alone in such a way? And it seems the best thing to do with algeria and niger visas is to get them in the UK before leaving. Is this the same for pedestrians as bikers? I know the HUBBs for bikers, so if anyone can suggest a sahara pedestrians forum I'd be grateful! Cheers.

[Chris Scott]

Plenty of buses/bush taxis between IS and Tam, cheap and safer than sticking your thumb out at the road side which nomads do but are expected to pay.
To In Guezzam and on to Niger is less regular (trucks and jeeps) and might take some nous and confidence. Even in the early 80s some French hitchers disappeared on this section but I suppose it's the same in any remote locale.
From Arlit southwards, buses as usual, but less cheap I imagine.

The problem is the escort in Algeria; it applies to everyone which is why trips like yours (or cycling) are so rare these days. And visas are the same for everyone too, with a vehicle or without. But see the 'May 09' link here: Sahara Overland ~ Algeria visa and travel information

Overall, a nice idea but the bother/expense are too great for most.

Ch