How safe or unsafe is Algeria?
 

From what I have heard Algeria is closed for turists. At least from Morocco. Many articles and travel-stories have been written about Algeria in the past years in spite of closed borders.

I would like to know how safe the country really is.
Is it save to travel there alone?
Would it help to be in a bigger group.
Are there areas that are more dangerous then others.


Any other information on Algeria would be appreciated.

Jakob

Go to the Sahara Overland S-File and read the various stories of recent Alg travels - in the southeast (the bit you want to see) it is safe.

See also ...-overland/country - it's all there.

CS

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Author of Sahara Overland and the Adventure Motorcycling Handbook, among other things

http://www.sahara-overland.com

Thank you guys.

Fuchur, this earlier discussion totally slipped my eye.

Chris, I have read all your s-files plus Sahara overland. This is the reasone for my question, since I was planing to ride from Al Qatrun (Libya) down to Agadez (Niger), but if you guys think it is save to enter Algeria in the Djanet area it would make thinks easier for me (or I belive so since I'm travelling solo).

Still, it would be interesting to hear from solo-motorcyclists and how they were treated in Algeria.

Jakob

No probs,

I am going there alone half October this year so I can tell you more then....

Or is anyone interested in joining me around that periode?

This was 10 years ago, alot has changed I know, but the Geography is the same: Had a very bad experience at El Golea (on main N/S route down to Tam. Do not be tempted to park for the night by the rather attractive salt lake Sth of town. This area is right on the edge of the Tadamait plateau and as such a refuge for the dispossesed. You wont see them 'till they try to disable your vehicle in the night. According to Police in town is hapens all the time. Maybe out of date, but no-one warned us till it was too late.

As Chris says above, the south-east is fine. We met friendly locals, army and police. We met some girls from northern Algeria who tried to convince us to visit them up there, but I got an email from one the other day saying there's a lot of unrest around Algiers so go via Nefta and head south. Its an astoundingly beautiful place: I'd been waiting since 1993 to go to the Hoggar and it was well worth the effort. I loved it and can't wait to go back for much, much more this winter. Enjoy

Richard