Pistes in south Algeria (for a very small car)

[Gertd]

Does anybody have any experience with taking the piste from Reggane (Algeria) to Gao (Mali) crossing the border at Bordj-Mokhtar? Or alternatively from Tamanghasset (Algeria) via Borne to Arlit (Niger)? We plan to do this with a small Citroën 2CV and would like to know (next to the practical feasability) whether one of these trajects is safe/worthwhile/etc. What kind of problems to expect, etc.

PS: In case any of you need some info on practicalities for the Atlantic Route with a similar (small) car, don't hesitate contacting me at gert.duson@cw.com

[pierresas]

Get the book ("Sahara Overland"). It will tell you everything about the bandits prowling the western route. It's full of other life-saving advices too.

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Pierre
http://www.geocities.com/skypie999/bikes/

[Sam Rutherford]

Gertd,

I did the TAM-In Guezzam-Assamakka-Arlit-Agadez route twice last year, in June and in August. We had a Land Rover, so the 4wd helped and the weight did not!

You, with the experience you will have gained by then, should not have too many problems. 2CV are famed on sand (although you might want to look into whether you can fit slightly wider tyres than the standard really narrow ones?).

Just make sure that your only weight is water and fuel! The majority of the route is relatively hard packed sand, the few very soft sandy patches can be avoided with care.

There are abandoned 2wd all along the route (perhaps as many as 300 vehicles over the whole 600Km piste).

It has been said by everyone that the Bordj Mokhtar route is very dangerous - I don't know personally of anyone who has tried it recently, and prefer not to pass on info I can't verify! Over to you...

Take Care and good luck! I will be back there in November, when are you planning on going?