Algeria info
 

Hello

I’m looking for info about routes in the grand Erg Occidental and from In Salah to Tan.

Books (English or French), gps info, descriptions, …

thanks

ps: by the way: is it already possible to take and use a GPS in Algeria?

Hi Bernardo,

GPS no problem in DZ, better to hide it a bit away by passing the border. Routes are in the french "guide bleue" and the the german "Algerische Sahara" or "Sahara" by Gerhard Goettler. English by Chris Scott.

Greetings
Ferdi

Thanks Ferdi


I can survive with English and French (in Portuguese and Spanish too : ) ) but in German I only know a few words… not enough to withdraw any useful information from a book.

the french "guide bleue"??

Hi,

The French "guide bleu" is edited by Hachette and was in fact written by Belgian travellers.
It is (was?) a good book but not modified since 2000.
RR

Bonsoir Robert,

yes, it is an old book, but do you know a younger one? The german books are also 8 to 10 years old, the Lonely Planet (written by an Ausie) is newer but bad, italien, russian and others I don't know.

Salutation
Ferdi

Bonjour Ferdi
No I don't know a better book about Sahara (not only for travellers).
What I mean is practical information about the routes and formalities are not updated in this book (for these infos, I think Chris book is OK, but I have never read it because it is not avalaible in France and I prefer to see a book , or others items , befrore buying).
RR.

Thanks for your comments. I imagine that the “guide bleue” doesn’t have any desert tracks but “only” general info about Algeria…


RR:

“…(for these infos, I think Chris book is OK, but I have never read it because it is not avalaible in France and I prefer to see a book , or others items , befrore buying).
RR”

You should buy it. Is a very good book with general information about desert off road and lots of info about sahara countries. Updated info concerning routes and legal obligations you always find here online.

So, beside German written books and Sahara Overland I have no luck with Algerian pists?


I remember that this guys (http://www.takla-makane.com/) had other books beside “mauritanie au GPS”… what happened to them?


Bernardo Feio

Hi,

>So, beside German written books and Sahara Overland I have no luck with Algerian pistes?

In fact, they are the best, you can get actually. And I am afraid, that there will be no more detailed of road guide in the near future.
Look arround on www for waypoints and tracks and for good maps, use Google Earth and plan you route.

Hi Bernardo,

"these guys" is only one: Cyril Ribas wrote a book with GPS tracks of Mauritania, an later collected a lot of tracks in Niger - this book still remains an idea. For Algeria zero. But the "guide bleu" has also detailed description of tracks.
There will be no problem, if you follow the described way by Yves.

Ferdi

hello

I think that in the book it’s mentioned another co-author (Sylvie something?… )

I bought the book in 2003 and now is for sure with twice the volume with the all the sand between the pages. : ) by the way it’s a very good book that drove me thru some of the best scenarios I’ve ever been…

I made a pre order of “Niger au GPS” but never had any feedback.

I think that I will try to find the “guide blue” and look for the description of the tracks.

By now my google Earth was so many lines and points that I almost could jump from one to another.

I’m not a big fan of driving just using gps points. I prefer reading descriptions looking into maps and take some gps points only for confirmations.

"I imagine that the “guide bleue” doesn’t have any desert tracks but “only” general info about Algeria… "

No there is a lot of description of tracks in "guide bleu" but no update of informations since 2000.

RR.

something like this?

http://cgi.ebay.fr/Rare-GUIDE-BLEU-ALGERIE-TUNISIE-1916_W0QQitemZ200326191416QQcmdZViewItemQQptZFR_GW _Livres_BD_Revues_Livres?hash=item200326191416&_tr ksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1526%7C66%3A2%7C6 5%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

or this:

http://cgi.ebay.fr/Guide-bleus-Algerie-Tunisie-de-Ricard-prosper_W0QQitemZ220369846727QQcmdZViewItemQQptZFR _GW_Livres_BD_Revues_Livres?hash=item220369846727& _trksid=p3286.m20.l1116

J

Also up to date, like the others:
Guide du Tourisme automobile et aérien au Sahara Alger: Shell, 1938
F.

It is this one :

Guide Bleu Évasion : Sahara: Gérard Del Marmol: Amazon.fr: Your Store

RR.

If you can lay your hands on a copy of the Guide Bleu (as referred to by RoRo), I can recommend it. It's an excellent guide with lots of background information and description of many pistes but obviously not up to date anymore. I have an old 7th edition (1991) and still use it as reference next to Chris' up to date guide of the Sahara.

Olaf

Hi,

what about the LP for Algeria, I recently saw, that they have one from 2007, but never had it in my hands.

Concering german books, beside the new old Eckert (I have one edition from 1990, and the new one from 2003 is 90 % the same, besides teh coordinates), you could also look for "Durch Africa", which has also the GPS-Infos and where you don't need to know German too good, as it is a roadbook.

Greetings

Christian

I've also one guide bleu from 1977, same author :)

LP is not so good for the desert IMO, and does not really get to grips with the whole escort thing.

My review here:
Sahara Overland ~ book reviews: guides

Ch

Bradt Guide (Eng) too
 

There is also a Bradt Guide, which was published not more than a year ago - although the research seems to have taken a long time for the solo author.

I found the LP and Bradt both lacking in parts, and that they complemented each other quite well, but this is for the north. The Bradt has less on the desert than the LP.