Niger guides

[Jose Brito]

Hi,

Can anyone recommend a Travel agency in Niger for the Tenere crossing and an Air 7-day trip?

Or is it better to hire a local guide in Dirkou/Agadez?

Any recent information about the average price of guides with and without vehicle?


Thanks,
José

[Chris Scott]

You'll be spoilt for choice in Agadez.
Temet, Dunes Voyages, Tidenne are all well known agencies there.

Someone recommended:
Babal Mohamed Attouboune
Agence Chiriet,
B.P. 142 , Agadez,
Niger
00227 440240

In Dirkou (or even before, at Madama) I suspect you will get what your given or just get roilled in with some trucks heading for Agadez (unless you organise a guide to come over from Agadez)

Its probably easier to do an excursion with an approved guide from Segedine to Djado (if you want to go there), bang out the crossing to Agadez (not so interesting) and then work out a good Air tour from there. IMO the eastern Air bordering the Tenere is the best bit.

Ch

[Jose Brito]

Thanks for tips Chris!

Actually, I was planning to travel thru the southern piste (Bilma-Arbre), and spend a day or two around the Fachi Mountains.
I will probably get someone in Dirkou or Bilma, for this section.

In Agadez, I was planning a loop covering the eastern part.
Since there are so many agencies in Agadez, I’ll probably leave the subject open, and contact one of them on the spot.

Thanks,
José

[Chris Scott]

.Fachi 'mtns' are more of a low, sand-swamped escarpment and you may find the Fachi kids will do your brain in.

"I will probably get someone in Dirkou or Bilma, for this section"
This means going into the dunes with a 150+L of fuel, but I dare say you will manage. It is possible the guide may not be keen about going in 1 car (if you are 1 car)

Ch

[Jose Brito]

“Fachi 'mtns' are more of a low, sand-swamped escarpment and you may find the Fachi kids will do your brain in.”

As you know, I’m mostly interested in lizards, thus I was hopping that the Fachi Mountains could have something interesting. It’s the only mountains in a very large radius……
By the way, what about the Achegour Falaises? Are they higher, or just a couple of rock outcrops? From the maps, they look even smaller than Fachi…..


"I will probably get someone in Dirkou or Bilma, for this section"
This means going into the dunes with a 150+L of fuel, but I dare say you will manage.

Sorry, I don’t get it. Are you trying to say that I should count with an extra-reserve of 150 litres, or that with 150 litres of fuel I will be overloaded?
If it is the second, then in Mauritania I’ve done well with four persons in the car plus 8 full 20l-jerrycans for fuel, and all the rest of the equipment (about 800 kilos of cargo including the persons). Not very advisable I know, but this time we will be only two persons on board…….


“It is possible the guide may not be keen about going in 1 car (if you are 1 car)”

Yes, we are only one car. Thus, you got a point here. Perhaps the guide will insist in taking the route from Dirkou.
In that case, my question regarding the Achegour Falaises is very important. If they are something noticeable, then they could constitute an alternative to Fachi.

But my guess is that they are even smaller than Fachi…….


Thanks,
Jose’

[Chris Scott]

I've never been to Achegour but i believe it is the same formation, just lower like you say. A well but no settlement I think so more chance of lizards etc at Fachi as there is veg.

... with 150 litres of fuel you will be heavily loaded for the dunes, but as I said, you will manage. The hardest part was getting UP and over the Fachi falaise from the west (opposite direction to you). One car burned its clutch complelty away - only metal left! .

if you are in this area and looking for animals then I would consider making a visit down to Termit - though this is pretty much Sahel. Possible along the corridors from Bilma. You could then come up via Gadoufawa region if you like (Paul Soreno/NG connection here...)
and on to Agadez.
Ch

[KevinMc]

I thought you had to have to have at least two vehicles to pass the police checkpoint at Agadez, for safety sake. Most any guide in Agadez will be aware of that and would likely insist on a second 4x4.

[Chris Scott]

True - from what I hear leaving Agadez is full of restrictions, but this being Africa, coming into Agadez from wherever is a different matter - I know of several people who have come in solo from the east (though usually via Achegour). After all, once near Agadez where can they send you back to...

Ch

[Jose Brito]

Thanks for tips Chris!


"..two vehicles to pass the police checkpoint at Agadez, for safety sake. Most any guide in Agadez will be aware of that and would likely insist on a second 4x4."

I'll be heading Agadez, either from Dirkou or Bilma, not the other way around.....
Even so, you might be right; the same rule should apply in reverse.
In that case, do you know how much can I expect to pay for a guide in is vehicle, per day?

Thanks,
José

[Richard Washington]

As far as escarpments go, don't miss the feature directly east of Bilma and Dirkou - more of an escarpment than Achegour or Fachi....

[Chris Scott]

"In that case, do you know how much can I expect to pay for a guide in is vehicle, per day?"

30+ euros a day out of Agadez I hear. Maybe more from the east side as there's less choice.

Ch