Algeria

[danielsan]

Hey there,

I was supposed to be stationed in Chad doing volunteer work but now its been changed to Algeria leaving July 9th.I have been in touch with Tanezrouft about doing a 9 day trip to either Immidir or Hoggar after my months work.As I have never been to Algeria what area would be scenically better to visit;

Ahnet/ Immidir 0r Hoggar??

Cheers.
Phil.

[ursula]

Hi Phil
quite difficult to say!
What do YOU like? Volcanic landscapes? Rough plateaux with deep canons? Archeological sites between ergs and mountains?
There is also the great Erg Mehedjebet with beautyful dunes...
Ursula

[danielsan]

Hey Ursula,

Thank you for your reply.
I would be very intrested in volcanic landforms and dunes.Where is the Erg Mehedjebet located??

[Chris Scott]

It's hard to go wrong in Algeria but IMO sandstone Immidir is 10 x more interesting than Hoggar (well, the 'Hoggar' as most people understand it - the grim, barren 'Atakor' or 'Koudia' around Assekrem, though there is Tassili Hoggar etc, etc - different formations).

You can bang out an Assekrem sunset/sunrise overnight trip out of Tam any time (well worth it) but you won't see dunes with basalt volcanic here - they are not usually found in the same place.

>>>Where is the Erg Mehedjebet located??
Above Arak on the left, usually part of an Ahnet/Immidir trip I do believe.

Have a great trip

Ch

[danielsan]

Thanks Chris,

Think Ill go with Immidir,I hope 9 days is enough it sounds fantastic!
What would be the best way to get to In-Salah??Can I hope on a flight from Algiers or would I need to travel down with a guide in a vehicle??

Apperciated.
Phil

[Chris Scott]

Not so many flights a week to IS but you can time it to suit yourself.
Might be easier in and out of Tam - that way you can do an Assekrem on the way back.

Looking forward to coming back via Ahnet myself later this year.

Ch

[danielsan]

Thanks again Chris.

Either location looks stunning so ill get in touch with Tanezrouft and see which one would suit me best.

Was reading about the tour into the Majabat,Autum 2006.My father was really intrested in that as he spent time in Saudi's Rub al-Khali some time ago!!Looks like a tough one!!

Anyway Cheers Chris,and best of luck with future trips.
Phil.

[danielsan]

Hey there.

I am just looking for some urgent advice.
On June 19th I recived my invitation from my voluntary work partners in Algeria.I sent my visa via post to the embassy in the U.K from Ireland as soon as I recieved it.On the Algerian consulate website it says,visa by post are usually processed in 10 working days.I recently rang the embassy and a guy told me it can take up to 3 - 4 weeks to be processed (he didnt really have much info and wasnt very helpfull).I was told to ring back on Saturday to see what can be done.As I am set to leave for Algeria on July 8th can anyone tell me what is the liklehood of me getting my visa before that date??

Is there anyone else I can contact,preferably english speaking as I have found it tough to explain to the embassy personell (language barrier).

Cheers.Phil

[Chris Scott]

I suspect anything irregular (like voluntary work) can slow things down.
The v. friendly bloke who took over from the utter git a few years ago is also losing his shine a bit so you need to press them that your plane is leaving on July 8
Last time I got mine on the morning of departure and just made the plane.

If you are flying from LHR arrange to collect it in person - it's not so far on the tube.

Ch

[danielsan]

Ok looks like the likelyhood of me getting my visa by Saturday is fading.I have rang the embassy again today but only to be verbally assaulted by there female secretary,who keep says ring back at a later time.They have given me no indication if my visa is even ready...If the slim chance my visa will be ready by Saturday I will have to arrange an earlier flight into Heathrow arriving 8.05am,costing €175.

Flights then leaves Gatwick at 14.15 for Algiers.Im hoping this will be enough time to get to Hyde park Gate and then to Gatwick.

If my visa is not ready my whole trip is cancelled.I know its a long shot but are there any ways I can lodge a complaint against this embassy.Surely there are standards and manors when dealling with customers.I have done voluntary work all over the world and I have never encountered Embaassy staff so rude in all my time..

Sorry to complain but this has really angered me now.

[Chris Scott]

>>>If my visa is not ready my whole trip is cancelled.
I suspect it is not any country's right to issue visas to anyone. That's the whole point: it's an application. Look at the trouble most Brits have getting Sudanese visas. Or even US ones. Maybe Algeria is at odds with Ireland over something, or the organisation you will be working for.
The first edition of my Sahara book had nothing up to date on Algeria because right up to the morning of departure we were at Hyde Park Gate trying to get the visas (fortunately the car blew up on the autoroute a couple of days later and solved that problem).
In the late 90s it took me 6 months of wheeler-dealing to obtain a Libyan visa - at one point I considered changing my nationality to get round the regs! If visas for Africa were easy and reliably issued we'd all be there.

>>>...but are there any ways I can lodge a complaint against this embassy.Surely there are standards and manors when dealling with customers.

Sorry to sound unsympathetic but what does the embassy or anyone else care? Consulates RTW are notorious for rude and unco-opersative staff and 'customers' we surely are not! They are actually pretty strict and reject visas all the time because someone did not cross a 't'. (I nearly blew it once by giving my real occupation).

As I've found on a couple of occasions, it looks like Alg are denying you a visa without actually saying so. On the positive side it means should you apply again and are asked 'have you ever been refused a visa', the answer wil be an honest 'no'.

Get there early (9.am) on Sat, there is often a queue of expat Algerians renewing permits and what not. Show them your plane ticket but keep your cool. Good luck

Ch