From Algiers to Niamey with a Renault 4CV !!!

[roro]

If you want to read a big report about a very recent and great travel across Tanezrouft and Mali .....
Sorry it's in french but nowadays there are few reports like this

http://www.sahariens.info/spip_sahar...id_article=556

Nice dreams
RR.

[Kevin]

Brilliant! Remember this the next time someone asks the "whatsbetteralandieoralandcruiser" question.

[roro]

I've met this guy yesterday : his trip was fabulous and it means it's now possible to travel across algerian sahara without guide ; you only need to take a boat to Algiers and take the road to the south ( not during night ) ; may be you need to travel with a convoy after El Golea .

RR.

[Chris Scott]

I skimmed through his report and I had the impression it only worked coz he came from the north and then went to the less touristy NW (Adrar, etc).
I think if you arrived at Taleb (El Oued) border, or managed to get as far as Hassi Mess checkpoint they would pull you up.
But good luck to anyone who tries - and viva the 4CV (whatever that is...)

Chris

[roro]

You're right : no possibility to enter at Taleb Larbi without guide and certainly no possibility after Hassi Messaoud .
But you can take ferry to Algiers and then follow the national road to El Golea ( not at night ) with any guide .
Then I think it's possible to go to Tam but a convoy is certainly now mandatory .
In Tam I think you have to take a guide to go .... where it's possible to go !
Or take the track to Niger .
RR .

[Chris Scott]

A mate is going this way next week (to Tam etc), and may come back with some impressions of Alg. Others have decribes it as 'terrible' though I am not sure why (too many checkpoints?).

I have a feeling the 4CV guy kind of caught them all by surprise

Chris

[sebch]

Chris, any update to release on algeria based on your mate's e xperience so far?
I had to escape during the hostage crisis in 2003, so I definitely WILL be back there in my 2CV, but NOT with a guide...
Any new info if it'snow easier/possible/safe??
Cheers, Séb

[Chris Scott]

Hi Seb, funny you should mention it. I've just been reading on the European forums (and maybe you too) that Alg has gone a bit mental in the last couple of days. 3 douaniers killed on the Touggourt-Ouargla road, full-on battles with the GSPC in Oued Ta Halft (near Tifernine, east of Amguid) - a big food cache was found there, some say suggesting more kidnappings - IMO just a big food cache - who are they going to kidnap?)
All land borders closed, all electronics confiscated at the border, people shaken down for stealing camel bones (whatever next!) mafia? heavies photographing tourist 4x4s

But, my mate crossed via In Guezzam yesterday - although the rest of his group stayed on in Alg. They may regret that unless they dump their bangers.

Will know more details soon

Also Yves was in the Adrar des Iforhas asa you may know and IHO also thinks the 4CV guy was a bit lucky. (You cant get a lot of cigs in the back of a 4CV).

So, Alg not so good this week... "please hang up and try again [later]"

Chris S

[Yves]

HI Seb,
>Any new info if it'snow easier/possible/safe??

unfortunately it is still only possible with a guide and according to my friends in Algeria there is no chance that the actual policy for individual tourists with car/bike might change soon.
Yves