Algeria via Niger or Mali

[2cvfred]

I apologise for not doing my homework properly.. I'm sure I could find this info by searching a bit more. Unfortunatly we are very much pressed on time.

Currently in Yaoundé, awaiting Nigerian visa. Need to be in Belgium by the 20th of june. I am looking for the fastest route to Europe. This seems to be trough Algeria (as the coastal route via RIM is about 2500km longer). Just looking for a fast route, will only take main roads, no scenic detours.

Thus:

- Is the border Alg-Niger open?
- Is the border Alg-Mali open?
- Are the respective routes trough either Niger or Mali to the Alg border safe?
- Is applying for an Algerian transit visa still possible in Niamey? How long does it take? Price?
- What about Tunis visa? Need to apply for in advance (where?), can get it at the border?

I mailed a few agencies in Algeria for a guide trough Algeria, still awaiting their responses. Any recomendations for agencies are welcome.

Thanks!

[MotoEdde]

If you're going through Algeria...the agency that's reliable is Akar-Akar...contact Nick L there...

nloizillon "hat" aol "dhot"

www.akar-akar.net

[donncha]

Shortest does not mean fastest. You will definitely be a lot quicker to go the Atlantic route, becuase it is almost all tarred.

Mali / Niger and Algeria would be a lot more interesting but you'd be signing up for 2000km of potholes and piste and sundry adventures.

[donncha]

If you do decide to go via Algeria, I am very happy to recommend the agency Tanezrouft, who we used last year.

[andrasz]

The Mali route might not be an option, just picked up this piece of news:
AFP: 27 killed as Tuaregs attack Malian army posts: government

[QuadsAcrossAfrica]

Hello,
We were in a similar situation to you about 3 months ago.
We decided to go from Yaounde to Kano Nigeria. In Kano you will need to get the visa for Niger. From Kano we went to Zinder Niger then about 150 miles north of Zinder we joined a military caravan to Agadez (the caravan was very very loose and at no point did we feel threatened) In Agadez we got the visa for Algeria in one day, very very very easy. We got a recomondation from MotoEdde to use Akar Akar for our invitation letter. This is hands down the best agency go through, trust me I contacted about 50 of them. The visa will about 100 euros or so. The best way is to have them email you the invitation print it out and bring it to the embassy.
Donccha was incorrect, you will currently only have to ride about 500 kilometers of desert piste and bad roads the rest are in great shape.
From Agadez we rejoined the military caravan heading north to Arlit. In Arlit you are now free to wander about on your own. In Arlit the paved road ends and you have to do some desert driving for about 200 kilometers. At the Algerian border your guide will meet you and take you to Tamanrasset. In Tamanrasset you can use the same guide to take you to the North of the country which is about 1500 kilometers of paved road.
In Algeria you will have to have a guide (at least in the southern part) if you are on motorbike expect to pay in the range of 100 euros per day for a guide and a landcruiser support vehicle. If you are in a truck it will be much cheaper as he can ride with you.
In Algeria you can take a ferry from Algers or Oran to either Spain or France for about 300 euros for a person and a bike.
I have traveled both routes (the Atlantic through Morrocco, Western Sahara, Maurtania, Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Nigeria) and then the second far shorter route Nigeria, Niger, Algeria. You will save lots of time and even more money by going through Algeria.
If you want more info check out our website
Welcome to www.quadsacrossafrica.com
Cheers and good luck
Josh

[Zoltar14]

Is it easy to get a visa for Nigeria in for example Niamey? Do they issue tourist visa without invitation? How much are they?

[2cvfred]

wow, this was a close one! We already gave up on Algeria (too complicated, and not enough time... and then there is the pricetag!)
Only saw these last replies in Zinder, and decided to give it another go.

We called and mailed akar-akar: no response
Tanezrouft voyages did reply (fast) and we will probably go with them.

I will post all details when I know them.

Locals here in Zinder are pretty scared of the north of their country though. I hope security will be allright there. Very little in the news about niger lately...

Thanks for the responses!

[2cvfred]

By the way. We want to take a ferry to northern Italy (Genoa, La spezia?), I don't think it is possible from Algiers, so we will be going trough Tunis.

Should this be booked in advance? Or can I just show up and take the first one that leaves?
This would be around the 13th of june, holiday season hasn't started yet, right?

[gvdaa]

Just came back from Niger. Made a roundtrip Niamey-Zinder-Agadez-Niamey. The Air mountains near Agadez are a war zone right now, where the military is trying to defeat MNJ rebels. Is looking a bit like Darfur, I hear. The city itself seems safe. If you take photo's you might end up in prison for a night. Better ask permission at the governor's office first.

Many ferrys from Algiers, to Marseille and Alicante among others.

[2cvfred]

Just asked around a bit in Zinder. Police says traffic is possible upto Tarlit in military convoy. From Tarlit to the border is apparantly forbidden.

We are trying to get this confirmed, everything people say here seems to be "I think that... " but nobody wants to give official advice.

gvdaa, were you in your own vehicle? Did you take the convoys (they seem to be obligatory)?

[gvdaa]

I traveled by bus. I suppose once in Arlit you will finally get permission tot travel to Assamaka. But it could take some days of waiting.

[2cvfred]

The offence of the army: AFP: Niger: l'armée décidée Ã* mater la rébellion, mène des offensives d'envergure

Talked to the local 'smugglers', they say everything is just fine as long as you stick to the main routes.

[MotoEdde]

Originally Posted by 2cvfred

wow, this was a close one! We already gave up on Algeria (too complicated, and not enough time... and then there is the pricetag!)
Only saw these last replies in Zinder, and decided to give it another go.

We called and mailed akar-akar: no response
Tanezrouft voyages did reply (fast) and we will probably go with them.

<SNIP>

Sorry to hear...
Did you email the address I posted above and mention that I pointed you there? That WILL get a response.
Unfortunately the contact form on their website is useless as they don't know what email address it goes to, nor can they figure out how to check their voice mail consistently. Algerian phone service is not reliable...



Another note, Algerian roads when paved are great. BUT when unpaved, are rough. The route between Tam and Insalah isn't paved for the most part...they're working on it...

[2cvfred]

Originally Posted by MotoEdde

Sorry to hear...
Did you email the address I posted above and mention that I pointed you there? That WILL get a response.

I emailed them on both the official adress and the address you supplied. And I tried to call them on both numbers stated on their website about 5 times during two days. Can't say we didn't try! ;-) We did not mention your name in our mails though...

Anyway, too late now. We will be going with Tanezrouft. There are hubb people behind it as well.

We talked to just about everybody (from very official to very dodgy) and there is no consistent information to be had. We will go to Agadez tomorrow and try to make it to the border.