From Algeria to Niger
 

Hi. Three of us are planning to ride our motorbikes across to Agadez, tour the Air mountains and head back.
Does anyone have current news on crossing from Tamanrasset to Niger? Was the "road" ruined by the rains? Is there fuel to be had? Bandits? Ditto for the Air mountains. Do we need carnets for the bikes? (guide books and RAC say "yes", but I hear rumours of "no")
And .... malaria. What's the truth behind a comment I read of malaria in Agadez? I was surprised cos I didn't think there was enough water to support breeding.
Thanks for your tips.
Richard

Was the "road" ruined by the rains?"

It has been long ruined before the rains

"guide books and RAC say "yes","
Not mine it doesnt - get a laisser P at the border/Arlit

Malaria the least of your probs tho plenty of mozzies in leaky Aga bathrooms

Air bandits - no more than normal

CS

We just drove our bikes from Niger to Alger. No problem at all. The "road" Arlit-Assamaka-Inn-Guezam-Tam is fun for bikes. You need at least 400 km autonomy on water and fuel...heavy on a bike. You can find fuel in Assamaka and Inn-Guezam. No carnet.
Take lariam. What is a bandit to you?
Just do it but be prepared physically!
Marc

Thanks for the tips, guys. By "bandits", I mean thieves - not 1100cc Suzukis! So rumours of malaria as far north as Agadez are true? Or did you come from further south.
Chris - what will be the most of my worries??

yep....i just came up with the marco vet from ghana to alger. 4 suzuki bikes. in the air no real need for a guide if you stick (with a heavily loaded bike) to the "main" piste. we negotiated a guide read jeep support to explore the air for 5 days . 140euros/day his fuel included and actually he did all the cooking as well. we really went off track then and explored the air like you should....no luggage to carry. For the 4 bikes we took an extra 160ltr petrol on the jeep. hard to take them on your bike. petrol is very hard to find in the air villages. suppose you can arrange to send some in advance if you're on your own??? a reliable guy : adua mohamed with Tidene expeditions ; tidenexp@intnet.ne We got his address as well via this forum.....ibrahim tours Niamey. regarding the mosquitos.....we were surprised to find them as far as agadez!!