Crossing Sahara from North to South in March, April

[pilnik]

Hi all,

what do you think about crossing Sahara in March, April in terms of the weather?
We can't go there in cold season (November - February) and we were wondering whether there's a big difference, if we went there later.
We're planning to go through the following countries: Algeria, Niger, Chad, Cameroon.

What do you think about this? Do you think we should worry about this issue?

Many thanks and regards,

Maciej

[kitmax]

Hi pilnik
Crossing Sahara from North to South in March, April ?

March and April are the months of sandstorms - not every day, but a greater tendency than January and February.
Sandstorms are hell, usually very hot, injurious to the windscreen and impossible to camp in.
In my last central Algerian sandstorm I couldn't see the piste I was driving on, and was compelled to stop in the middle of nowhere for 24 hours. I parked facing the wind that time, and then had to replace the sand-pickled windscreen back home.

Sit it out and everything returns to normal, after a while, 6 hours or 3 days, so stock water and food supplies with this in mind.
In a nutshell, go... Prepare for the worst, and you may be lucky.
After a sandstorm you may find sand drifts across road or piste, so watch your driving speeds.
Bon Voyage

[Yves]

Sandstorms are more likely to occur in the hotter months, but storms could happen also in the colder months. From the climte MArch and April are still ok to travel (I did several tours from March to May; in May it becomes really hot).
Actually I would more worry for the security in Niger and much more in Chad.

Regards, Yves