What about trip to Algeria these days
 

Hi everybody.
I'm planning to visit Algeria in August this year but I'm getting a little confused about the safety. All the news alert that it is of high risk to go there these days. On the other hand, I read in sahara-overland reports that many people travel there all the time without any anxiety and futhermore they -- hmm they it's You guys -- say that people there are very friendly. (well maeybe except stone throwing kids).

Ok so what should I think about this? Please geve me some advice.
I wish to go to Tassili 'n' Ajjer and Al Hoggar from Tunisia (Houza), and then north to Alger
through Timgad etc. I have never been there before. Does any of you also want to go there that time?

regards
Bart.

I very strongly advise you to stay South of the Atlas mountains. Algiers is a no go area.

The South is quite safe apart from the stone throwing. The small kids can't throw hard enough to do any great damage, but the teenagers are different. I collected two sizeable dents in the driver's door. Had one of those stones hit a window they would have broken it, and possibly caused an accident.

Hi Bart,
the south of Dz is ok, had been there in November 01 and February 02 and will go again on 30.3.
(very)Slow driving through the northern villages, with lots of hands waving will normally avoid an stone throwing in the north (and Zaoutalaz). Avoiding the hours, children go/leave to/from school wil help too.
Stopping in the north to buy some food on the local market might help to understand us tourists as part of the local economie.
Unfortuantely it is still not a good idea to travel north of Ghardaia. So I recomand not to cross the border north of Hazaoua/Taleb Larbi.

Enyoi DZ!
Bye, Yves Larboulette
http://www.sahara-info.ch http://www.redjemexpeditions.ch

thank you for your helpand advices.
Yves could you explain what do you mean by "Dz" ?
What does that stands for ?

Bart.

DZ is the international abbreviation for Algeria, same as CH is for Switzerland. I'm not entirely sure where this abbreviation came from, but these are the letters you will find on an international motor sticker for an Algerian registered vehicle, and .dz is the top level domain for Algerian internet routing.

The official local name for Algeria is "Al Jumhuriyah al Jaza'iriyah ad Dimuqratiyah ash Sha'biyah" - looks like there is both a D and a Z in there.

The stone throwing epidemic has pretty much run its course after 2000 which makes Alg even better than ever. A report on my March trip in a few days.
Algeria is a big country - the southeast is safe, the north and west less so.

Aiugust will be hot of course, but it's better than May-July I'm told

Chris S

------------------
Author of Sahara Overland and the Adventure Motorcycling Handbook, among other things

http://www.sahara-overland.com

The arabic name for algeria is commonly transcripted as al-Djazaïr, hence the DZ.
I work in a refugee camp in Belgium, and the Algerians over here tell me it's OK for tourists in Algeria, even in the north. I got a letter from one who returned and got invited to Oran... not been there yet 'tough, but thinking of it...

yo Rafke,

I'm planning a trans-Africa trip to leave in Octobre 2002. We're also passing Algeria.
I'm from Belgium and I would like to get in contact with you.
My e-mail is >>in link above<<
Hope you respond and see you soon http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/smile.gif
===================================
email address removed by Grant - see http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/faq.shtml#notify for why.

[This message has been edited by Grant Johnson (edited 01 April 2002).]

We're leaving Brussels on about 20th Oct for a trip down to Tamanrasset and area (then back unfortunately), one Land Rover and eight 'bikes. It might be interesting to meet up?
I did EU-Ivory Coast-EU last year, so might be able to help with your onward routing as well?

I plan to get DZ something about 15 August from Tunisia.
Now I'm thinking of getting there by plane.
Does anybody knows how much are the planes to Alger and to Tam.
from Tunis? How about safety on train connections
between Tunis - Alger?
Does anybody also plan to enter Algeria around mid of August?

regards, Bart

Tunis to Alger, more than you think...
Alg to Tam dead cheap.
It will be less complicated to fly directly to Alger (from Paris, eg).
Ask Air Algerie.
I would not recommend railing through the north.

Chris S

Hi,

I am thinking of travelling to algeria in september for some desert and pistes!!

Can anyone tell me if this time of the year is too hot??
Of course that it will be a hi temperature, but will it be too much?? Will I be able to enjoy the trip, or I will be only concerned about getting water to rehidrate??

Thanks for the advice.

renato

I personally enjoy the desert in the summer (but I'm in a definate minority!). In September it will still be up to about 40-42C max. Not impossible but tougher on engines (and people) than plus 30...

If you have a little experience, a lot of common sense and a sound vehicle you'll be okay. Another vehicle should make things (almost) completely safe.

I'd advise you look at 'wells beside roads' on this BB, although he's planning (hopefully WAS planning) to walk, and in plain mid summer.

There's my bit, summer travel and water always spark off long debates!

Sam.

PS you could also ask whether you are better off in a Toyota or a Land Rover...!

hi sam - have you ever heard of a stolen Landrover????

not as long as where to put your shovel, it seems, Sam...

Ch