Algeria

[Azelmatti]

I want to go to southern Algeria (Djanet, Hoggar south route) in February/mMarch 2006. Has anybody made this tour recently? How is the safety situation? Are the local guides reliable? Please contact me.
Jobst

[Sam Rutherford]

Was last there in May.
It's safe, local guides are generally good (if, relatively, expensive).

Enjoy, Sam.

Sorry, just spotted where you are from. Chances are no, but always worth asking. Do you know Stefan Ruoff???!!!

[This message has been edited by Sam Rutherford (edited 29 December 2005).]

[Alexander]

Hi Azzelmatti,
at this time it is hard to travel in Algeria since a guide is mandatory and you are not allowed to go off road.
You find more information here: http://wuestenschiff.de/phpbb/index.php

Alex

[Chris Scott]

Actually you can go off road (on the piste) easily - with a guide of course. Some areas are still restricted but the news is they too will be opening up.

Our November '05 trip Algeria report is in the S-Files.

Ch

[Yves]

Hello Alexander,
a guide is compulsory but off road travel is possible in South Algeria. Travel in Wilaya Tamanrasset and to a lesser extent in W. Illizi is ok. E.g. Djanet - Tam in both direction, Erg Kilian, Mont du Metal, Tassili du Hoggar, Erg Thiodaine too.
Friends are actually travelling Djanet - Tam via the southern piste.

Yves


[This message has been edited by Yves (edited 30 December 2005).]

[Chris Scott]

>... Erg Kilian, Mont du Metal...

Good news indeed - Route A14 is open for business then! Looking forward to going back there.

Ch

[roro]

Thanks for these infos .
Do you know what areas are still restricted ?
And is it possible ( with a guide ) to go to Niger via Djanet or via In Azaoua ?
RR .

[Chris Scott]

>...Do you know what areas are still restricted ?

Well last I heard the Amguid piste to HbG (A9). Route A2 (HbG - Illizi) and we were put off Amguid to In Salah in November 05. Basically it seems the areas of the kidnappings nearly 3 years ago...

I also assumed something remote like A14 (above) would be closed but I guess not anymore.

>...And is it possible ( with a guide ) to go to Niger via Djanet
They always said the only official way to Niger is via IGZ or Bordj. In Azaoua has always been restricted I thought (military post?) and the adjacent region in Niger too, well, from time to time.
Djanet to Chirfa; our guide did not know for sure in Nov - I think not after the attack in 2001 was it?, and then not helped by the German 'pottery smugglers' trying to slip out that way a year ago.
But I get the impression you can come into Alg that way. Waiting on news for that right now.

As with all these things, it depends who you ask.

Ch

[Azelmatti]

Originally posted by Sam Rutherford:
Was last there in May.
It's safe, local guides are generally good (if, relatively, expensive).

Enjoy, Sam.

Sorry, just spotted where you are from. Chances are no, but always worth asking. Do you know Stefan Ruoff???!!!

[This message has been edited by Sam Rutherford (edited 29 December 2005).]

Thank you for your message. I would be glad to get more informations. How can I contact you.
Jobst

[Sam Rutherford]

Either:

sam at prepare2go (.com)

or tel +32 475 930232

'later,
Sam.

[radek]

Hi.
Planning Algeria in March/April in two Land Rovers.
Is the guide really neccessary?
I have read some topics from 2003 which mentioned they aren't needed.

Chris, I'm new here, what is S-Files and where can I find it?
I'm trying to get as much info about DZ as possible.
Thanks

[Frank Warner]

Acording to
http://www.algeriaemb.org.au/visa_info.html#
To get a visa you need
* Passport valid for at least another six months
* Two or three recent passport-sized photographs
* One, two or three copies of the completed application form
* Proof of adequate financial means for your stay
* Proof of employment in the country of your residence
* Proof of reservation with an Algerian hotel or tour operator
* A return ticket when traveling by air or sea

If you are traveling to the south of Algeria, notably the Sahara desert, you must also submit your travel itinerary. This must include the places you intend to visit and the dates you will be traveling between them.
You must also provide details of the guide, Algerian or foreign, who will accompany you on your journey through the region.

If you have been invited to Algeria by an Algerian citizen, you must also produce a "certificate of accommodation" signed by your host.

--------------------------------------------

I'd like to go Niger to Algeria then on to Morocco in 2007. Err of course I'll be on a motorcycle .. not be worth the ruddy trouble! Guides, not letting people accross boarders... mutter mutter. Back to the previous thoughts.



[This message has been edited by Frank Warner (edited 10 January 2006).]

[Chris Scott]

>>>I have read some topics from 2003 which mentioned they aren't needed.

This was the year they imposed the rules slowly and unsurely (some people got away with it in the early days). Now they are fixed.

I just heard from a mate who crossed from Tuni but not at Taleb Larbi (hoping to get away with guides?). They were immediately put in 'protrctive custody', trailed from wilaya to wilaya (province) by gendarmes and, at Ghardaia gave up and went back to Tuni.

I realise that guides/escorts really impinge on some of the reasons we want to go to the desert in the first place - but in Alg for the moment these are the rules.

>>>Chris, I'm new here, what is S-Files and where can I find it?

Go here and click S-Files: http://www.sahara-overland.com/

Ch

[radek]

Thank you.

reason I'm asking is that we will be travelling in 2 SWB Land Rovers and there will literaly be no space for a third person. Guide with own car is out of question, as I doubt he will be using reliable 4x4 and then there is a question of money as I've heard it is VERY EXPENSIVE?
Anybody recently spend 2 weeks there?
I might change the plan to Libya as I have heard the group below 5 could buy off the guide situation by paying E 260 for Movement Permission (which can be shared with up to 4 people).
I'll start a new post on the topic. Any suggestions greatly welcommed.]
thank you

[Sam Rutherford]

Guide vehicles in Algeria are normally very reliable.

Sam.