I have been pondering an Algeria trip down to the south next year. What time of year would be best to go, Feb-Mar or Oct-Nov?

I've found November best. Oct can be too hot and even late summer storms.
By March the winds are back.

Great, thanks Chris. That question answered. I had been planning for autumn anyway but was willing to be flexible if the weather was better earlier in the year.

I guess the next question is to go with an organised group, if anyone is planning a tour, or assemble my own small team of friends and hire our own guide. I am definitely not a 'fly and drive' type, so will only go if I can take my own vehicle(s).

Only just seen these further posts. Chris / Tembo - I can DEFINITELY confirm it was windy in March! By day it was about 30 C (but a dry heat, so you didn't really feel it) and down to 10/15 by night. They were saying that when they did the same tour at end Dec 16, they had frost on their tents in the mornings.

I also met 2 foreigners in their own vehicles (German and Austrian) in Essendilene Canyon and they had a local guide in a 3rd (local) vehicle.

I can 100% recommend the local guide and agency that Torre.pl used. PM me if you want further info.

Mark

Just back from a nearly 3 week trip to the Tadrart & Central Tassili, weather was a very plasant 25-30C except for two days when it went over thity, nights were cool and almost no wind. A howling sandstorm brew up on the afternoon of the last day causing a hasty retreat to Djanet, but other than that everything went smoothly.

Officialdom is still unpredictabe, of our party of ten all but one received the visas more than six weeks before departure at six different embassies on three continents, one (applying at the Frankfurt consulate) never received it, as usual no denial or explanaton given just 'waiting for the approval from Algiers'.

Up till a few months ago day-trips were allowed to Jabbaren on the plateau above Djanet, this time it was no-go, again as usual without any explanation.

There was conspicious military presence in the Tadrart, but no controls anywhere between Djanet and Illizi, everyone appeared very relaxed just like last November. Apperently things are quiet in Ghat accross the border, people with relatives there told me there have been no problems there other than the 'incident' with the two Italian airport contractors.

In summary things do appear to ease up a bit, but still pretty unpredictable, one must always have a plan B & C just in case.

Trip account will be in the works soon.

Question: How long would you allow for the drive from Oran or Algiers ports down to Djanet? I am trying to rough out a plan for the trip. I would like to have a couple of weeks in the Hoggar region so, have to plan around the transit times. Thanks...

Tembo - allow 2 or 3 days each way.

From Algiers to Djanet = 2.5 hours by plane and from Ouargla to Djanet = 20 hours by bus, although obviously it would stop for the odd break here and there.

Mark

www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/gallery/2017/apr/26/ludwig-jindra-saharan-africa-1930s-in-pictures

Just been sent this lovely trip down memory lane. Not only about Algeria, but it mentions Touaregs, so.....

Tembo,

it took us 4 days do drive (in our cars) from Taleb Larbi to Djanet (the first day we arriverd at Taleb Larbi in the afternoon and were forced to sleep just behind the border).

On the way back it took us 3 days.

When driving your own vehicle your speed depends on the Gendarmerie.
Some drive 110km/h, some 60km/h. The time of setting off and settling for the night also differs each day.

If not for the escort, one should cover this distance in much shorter time.

Also take note that driving from Algiers or Oran down south may take more time because Northern Algieria it is much more populated. More cities means more posts and more speed bumps which may alter your average speed.

NEws...
 

Hi,

I've found this map from British Foreign Office which shows that Algerien Sahara is now almost secure:


Just have to wait for getting visas (except for Djanet's Willaya, already open for us).

RR.

How bizarre, given previous and currently adjacent country maps which are all orange or red (no map for Morocco).
Or maybe they too will change in the coming days.

... updated information and advice about the threat from terrorism following a review of the way the UK government describes the threat from terrorism in all foreign advice pages

Is Boris Johnson investing in Algerian resorts ahead of getting the boot?

Well spotted RoRo.

Do you have to drive with escort all the way from the border? Ouch.
I thought a guide in the car would be enough.
Esp since it is all in the green now :)

For the moment at least the French MAE map (below - source) shows Alg like most others see it (including the FCO until recently). Typically OTT and broad brushed as govt travel advisories tend to be.
That FCO map really is quite misleading unless green has taken on a new meaning. The truth as we know lies somewhere between the two advisories.

I am going to plan on having to accept the escort and the time/speed limitations. I expect by November 2018 the rules will have changed again for better or worse. Will just stay flexible and adaptable.

Back from Djanet
 

Good news!

I just visited Djanet with my family (2 adults, two children, one of 11 and one 14 years old).

We had a wonderful experience. We visited the Tadrart region and the Essendilene canyon from Djanet. (total of 6 days, 5 nights
The trip was organised by Zeriba voyages.

I visited Algeria before in 1999,2002, 2003,2009, 2013.
Getting the visa was very easy this time.
Me and my wife decided that we would go if the application of the visa wouldn't be a problem.
The border between Libya/Niger and Algeria seems to be more secured by the military.

Go now while you can!

Greetings,
Wilmar and Esther