Libya - Niger with a 2wheel drive

[Gert Duson]

In november 2005 we're organising a trip with 30 Citroën 2CV's from Brussels to Benin (www.touareg-trail.com) through Tunesia, ALgeria, Niger & Benin.

The Algerian authorities have always been extremely helpfull, but suddenly the Ministry of Defence has some reservations (probably because of the recent bombing in Egypt & the killing of 2 Algerian diplomats in Iraq.

As we cannot take any risk, I'm working with Sam Rutherfort (which some of you know), on a back-up plan through Libya and Niger. I've read some reports on the tracks, but I'd like to find some people who have 1) done this with a 2-wheel drive 2) who have done it with a 4x4 but who have a pretty good idea about the tracks.

Anybody out there who can help? If you e-mail me your tel.nr. I'll give a call instantly.)

Met avontuurlijke groet
gert (gert.duson@gmail.com)


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Crazy traveller

[Jose Brito]

Hi,


I've done Al Katroun to Madama-Dirkou-Bilma-Fachi-Agadez last year.
In the updates pages of this website you cand find a description of the route between Al Katroun and Madama with waypoints.
However, I would not recommend the above route for 2WDs. The first part of the pist is extremelly sandy. I was in an overloaded Nissan Patrol and in several times we were doing hard with first low gear. There are no dunes but sand is extremelly soft.
I would recommed following the "normal" route taken by trucks, a bit more to the east. Also, the Libyans are paving this piste all the way to Tummu.
After Tummu the piste is much more hard but avoid at all cost the deep sand roots left by the gigantic Mercedes trucks filled with migrants. They got me twice, when in distraction. Until Dirkou there wont be much problem; After Seguedine you may avoid the truck piste by driving a little to the west.
To reach Agadez, in a 2WD, I would recommend to go by the truck route, straight to Agadez and avoid the sands of the Bilma erg, via Fachi. Altough it can be done in a 2WD, as you follow most of the time well established dune corridors, it will be stressfull!

Best of luck,
José