About 4x4 Afrika overland, Algeria Niger and so on

[Moyo]

HI

I'm planning a west afrika overland by 4x4 starting november 2010. Starting in the Netherlands heading for RSA. Some questions I cannot find a good answer for:
- Is it possible to drive without a guide to Tamaraset and hire a guide there to drive to the border with Niger.
- If not, what are your experiences with a guide in your car
- What about the need for a guide in Niger
- Is a carnet required, or can I get temporary import or laissez passer
- Are there others planning the Algeria transit by then

Any suggestions? We've got about 3 months for the trip
We're quite experienced on the bike, but 2 kids made that great traveling a bit troublesome.

Moyo Kruyt
Netherlands

[Gottoride]

- Is it possible to drive without a guide to Tamaraset and hire a guide there to drive to the border with Niger.
- What about the need for a guide in Niger
- Is a carnet required, or can I get temporary import or laissez passer

Hi Moyo,
I'm leaving for the Netherlands on 25 Jan to start riding to Spain and then Algeria, Niger, etc to South Africa. If you e-mail me your contact details perhaps we can meet in Amsterdam before I start riding.

Quick answers: At this stage a border-to-border guide is required to get the Algerian visa although there have been reports of guys getting through without it. Others have been turned away at the border. Risky to go without one.
Currently you have to hire a private armed escort (two vehicles with many armed guys) at least from the border to Arlit. Further south there are apparently army convoys that can be avoided.
I'll be travelling with a carnet - not too expensive if travelling by motorcycle and saves a lot of trouble at border crossings.

You should also check out the Sahara Travel Forum - great info!

Enjoy the planning! Let me know if you'd like to meet between 25 and 30 Jan in Amsterdam.

[Trichelia]

Moyo, I am looking at a west africa loop, starting Algeria, Niger then west into Mali etc etc.....return via Morocco. Unfortunately only time for 2.5 months.

I will be on a bike but would certainly be interested in joining in on a guide, costs etc...

I am still to buy a bike and still to confirm dates....but looks to be Oct/ Nov 2010.

[Desert Driver]

Moyo, I am planning a similar trip heading to Capetown from London Nov 2010- Feb 2011, i have maximum 4 monthsn to spare and was looking at the west african route, Morocco, Mauretania, Senegal, Mali etc...

What car are you using? Maybe we can chat abotu each others trip and which countries will you go through?

ben

[Tomek]

Anyone interested in sharing a guide in Algeria (the ond of Nov- Dec 2010)?
2 bikes already

[Gottoride]

Hi All,

I did arrived in SA 2 months ago after travelling through Algeria and Niger and then all the way down.

At the moment there are travellers with two landrovers stuck in Tamanrasset, being refused new visa to Niger due to perceived/real dangers in northern Niger. See this post: http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...4-2#post307703

You may have read elsewhere that the convoy I was in between Assamakka and Arlit (March 2010) was attacked by Taureg. Subsequently the situation seems to have escalated.

I am not sure if it is possible to get DEFINITE confirmation about whether the route will be 'open' when you get there, but you should try. perhaps by staying in regular contact with a guide agency like Tanezrouft. If it turns out that the route is closed, you would have to go back to Europe and then enter Morocco since the border between Algeria and Morocco is still closed.

Good luck - I hope it works out!
Kobus
gottorideafrica@gmail.com
One Ball One Continent (trip report & photos on Facebook)