Tunesia in October

[mj]

We're planning to travel around Tunesia in October. Last week I've learned that apparantly the presidential elections are set to take place in mid October so we've started wondering whether or not it's a wise choice to be around during the elections.

What's the current situation in Tunesia, anybody been there recently? What does the collective HU intelligence think about this, is it going to be safe during the elections or not?

[mj]

310 hits and no opinions?

[Roel J]

Hi,

Planning myself an Easter 2012 trip, so I am already following the situation in Tunesia with a close eye (and do have an opinion on it, mr. mj)

As far as I see: don't go in the election period: biggest risk for upsets and protesters turning wild. Check for instance the websites of the Belgian, Dutch and British Foreign Afairs and you will see a 3/6 risk factor, which is relatively high.

Furtermore: are you aware of the fact that we need written permission to drive anywhere south of Tataouine, being the biggest place of interest for a spot of dune hopping?

- One car is not allowed, you must be with two vehicles;
- written permission being had on board;
- More cars = guide obliged;
- No guide and no taxes(?) paid, no go! (how do they control the desert?)
(the above info comes from a Belgian Land Rover forum member and seems to be genuine; can anyone confirm this?)

As far as I am concerned now on this very moment: on 3/6 risk scale I am not going. When it drops and I can find a solution for the guide/taxes/group problem, then I am off!

HTH

Roel

[mj]

Thanks for your answer Roel. I keep checking various foreign affairs websites but can't find anything too daunting. Maybe it's because I don't consider a 3/6 to be too dangerous but more of a normal 'be careful as usual' situation. The German one states everything is ok, the situation has stabilized and one should simply be on the watch for pickpockets but that's always been the case. I'm also aware of the Tataouine thing but it's not a problem since we're not planning on doing any dune hopping anyway. We're going two-up with my wife and full luggage so dunes will not be our friends

[Roel J]

@ MJ (and others off course!):

Taken from the Dutch Foreing Affairs website for Tunesia travel Advice:

1: no problem
2: be vigilant
3: unsafe areas
4: unnecessary travels (pleasure) not advisable
5: really business travels should only be undertaken
6: no go

What a difference in advice then between various countries: long live united Europe?

HTH

Roel

[mj]

I see. They're not so different after all. 3/6 means unsafe areas - there are obviously unsafe areas south of Tatouine, near the Libyen and Algerian border, that are better avoided. But the rest of the country is supposedly fine, at least according to the German foreign ministry.

[Roel J]

For what it's worth: The Netherlands (Holland) has dropped the risk scale for travelers from 3/6 tot 2/6, which is already better!

Furthermore: can anyone confirm that I can drive tot Ksar Ghilane and the two routes from Chris' book on ONE vehicle and having just written to the chefs in Tataouine?

Reading somewhere on a French LR website revealed just that; so nothing to pay and no guides to come with you, as long a you stay north of Tataouine.

Thanks!

[mj]

Thanks Roel, that's good news indeed. We're about to book our ferry ticket from Genua to Tunis any day now. The current situation seems stable enough for us to give it a shot.

The Ksar Ghilane thing I will be able to tell you in November, when I'm back