Algerian Sahara
 

Merged with other threads Sept 2017.
See latest posts for useful info.


Gloomy report.

Google Translate


(NB: when they refer to 'Tassili' they mean Tassili Hoggar just SE of Tam, not Tassili N'Ajjer near Djanet)

Elsewhere, Algie commenters dont seem so keen on the border opening with Morocco.

Google Translate


Ch

Interesting articles, specially the first one.

They blame it on authorities... but is the behaviour of the authorities the cause for lack of tourists or consequence of something else (AQIM)?

I would really like to ride in Southern Algeria and I've been planning it for some time but it is not one decision to take on lightly nowadays... :(

BR,
Luis Cabrita
---------------------------
Lisboa-Guine Bissau Fev2011
Panoramio - Photos by LMCabrita > Lisboa Bissau Fev2011

It's not been detailed here much, but in the last few months the tourism ministry has tried to impose new procedures on agencies in an attempt (AFAIU) to make them all more accountable and responsible (and possibly taxable).
So you can see how the agencies feel they are getting it from both ends - AQIM activities and now new govt regs.

Having said that, the agencies do seem to have a bit of a blind spot for '2003' (mass kidnapping - border-to-border agency escorts imposed soon after). That finished off desert tourism as we knew it in Alg, but it must have been a bit of a bonanza for those agencies that could get the escort work which followed.

I think tourism is seen as one of the few ways of making money/getting work legitimately in the south, which is now seen as being disrupted by northerners (govt), closure of Tassili-Hoggar and the fact that the French 'FCO' recently put Alg on its black list which ended all fly-in tours.

Along with recent kidnapping, all a great shame as the place has so much potential - especially with Libya as it is and should the Mk border open to foreigners.

Ch

The Hoggar opens up for tourism, 500 new campsites planned, according to the Director of Tourism in Tamanrasset.
"After two lean seasons, the managers of travel agencies in the wilaya of Tamanrasset welcomed the announcement of opening the doors of the Tassili of Ahaggar, officially banned domestic and foreign tourists since February 8, 2010."
Le Tassili de l’Ahaggar se prépare à accueillir à nouveau les touristes - 7 jours - El Watan
"...to be launched on the occasion of World Tourism Day September 27."

All going to plan we should be one of the new tourists... just waiting for our tourist visas. We'll post our experiences on the HUBB to give you some flavour of the situation should be get in... :mchappy:

news from djanet area
 

El Watan report

Libyan refugees in Djanet also.

Ch

So Ghat still seems to be in Gaddafi's hands. What about Ubari?

Just back from Libya.

Ubari is clear, Ghat and the Akakus definitely not. Overspill into Algeria in Djanet area is a certainty. Lots of angry, unhappy, armed men in the area...

'later, Sam.

Not all doom and gloom in the Tassili.
Tinariwen - Tenere Taqhim Tossam (Official Video) - YouTube
Some may recognise the way to Djanet.

Ch

Some says the tassili n'ajjer is close, but tassili ahaggar region seems to be opened.

Hi,

Tassili du Hoggar is said to reopen for tourism partially from November on. I was told and it was mentioned in the press.

Example: "...La décision prise par le conseil de sécurité à sa tête le wali de Tamanrasset pour la réouverture des circuits du Hoggar et Tassili dès cette saison a eu un impact très important à l'étranger. «Les agences ont déjà eu de petites réservations et plusieurs tours opérateurs sillonnent déjà cette région en vu de l'inscrire dans leurs guides de voyage», a-t-il indiqué...."
Nouria Bourihane - LE TEMPS D’ALGERIE - 18-10-2011

However I would expect that the southern parts of Tassili du Hoggar and the crossing to Djanet remain closed.

About GPS etc.: French travelers entering at Taleb Larbi reported that their cars had been searched and GPS and CB and VHF radio were not allowed to enter.

Good Luck.
Yves

Thanks Yves for these infos.
I've asked this in another thread but I prefer to have different advices: Do you know if it is possible to go to Timmimoun and Beni Abbes from In Salah without leaving tarmac (no offroad) with only our guide in our car?
I've asked to Tanezrouft but they have told that I'll need an escort by gendarmes.
RR.

Hi RoRo,

I don't know the actual practice but in 2009 and 2010 the Adar Wilaya often imposed a Gendarmes escort.
Amendment: and the agencies had to declare the trip minimum 10 days in advance.

All best, Yves

Thanks Yves,

I hope that in 2012 I'll don't need no escort for these towns...

RR.

Just back from DZ
 

Just returned, we did an 8 day trek on the Tassili N'Ajjer, no issues or security hassles other than the endless filling of police forms when taking the domestic flights.

Djanet still the same sleepy backwater as I remembered it, no visible evidence of any refugees in larger numbers. The military seems to keep a close watch on the border, we saw a small patrol aircraft fly over the Tassili several times per day. I believe our itinerary was passed to the military authorities.

Hardly any tourists, we met noone on the plateau, our guide said there was a swiss group a week earlier, there were another 5-6 foreigners on the flight back to Algiers (operating now twice per week, combined with Tamanrasset)

Perhaps they're looking for someone.

Ch

One more point that could be of interest:

I had both GPS and a Thuraya satphone with me, on arrival at Algiers airport nobody appeared to bother. All our luggage was x-rayed, but none were opened nor any questions asked, all over in two minutes. It appears that the rules if arriving by air are much more relaxed than at land crossings.

Why is everyone crossing over Taleb Larbi?
We entered over Bou Chebka (east of Tebessah) in 2009. They just asked us if we had anything to declare; I mentioned my laptop and it was entered into the passport. They didn't even look inside the car. GPS was mounted in front window.
Not a tourist in sight. If it is the same today I dunno.

I can add the ferry port of Algiers as a hassle-free entrance (as a foot passenger). Laptop and GPS in luggage, no problems (february 2011).

The more thorough searches at Taleb that Yves mentioned 2 weeks ago are probably to do with the situation in North Africa this year. While I would not display GPS or radios, I can't say we've ever had a hard time there, while at Tunis port it's often been all sorts of aggro (more fishing for bribes than due to security measures, I suspect).

In previous years travellers have mentioned being turned away from frontier posts north of Taleb - though that may have been because they were trying to dodge the escort rule. It's also further from the desert (where most are going) and nearer to GSPC areas where most would not want to be.

I recall an ambush on police near Tebessa one time we were due to cross (Feb 2009?) and if you search 'Tebessa ambush' there are more recent killings and raids, so better not to risk it IMO and just deal with the stone throwers on the road to El Oued - or take a ferry direct to Algeria, of course.

Like Andras, I've never had any sort of searches whatsoever flying into Algiers or Tam - once with a whole sack of filming gear, radios, etc - all scanned and waved through. It's been that way for as long as I've done it. The bigger problem now is on the way out, having stone tools and even bottles of sand confiscated.

Ch

Not to mention, jerrycans filled with diesel :innocent:

So how many full jericans can I have without being a smuggler? :)

As many as you like if you don't get caught.

Sorry, couldn't resist!! :D

Sam.

GPS, fuel in Algeria
 

Is there in fact such thing as a limit on exporting fuel out of Algeria? Last time I took three jerries x 20 l, plus full tank - You can't resist when it's 10 cents a litre. I was strip-searched at port Algiers on the way out, but no one cared about the diesel.

On the subject of GPS - only once in Algeria someone asked about my GPS. I always had it visible, never a problem. Many algerian guides have a GPS too, or are dreaming of having one. Once a guide in Djanet frowned when I marked a waypoint for something - it was some oued crossing or something like that, but he mentioned it had a local name, and when I put that name down in my GPS he was upset. As if I was stealing his insider knowledge of terrain. He asked if I was permitted to have a GPS in Algeria. I said I'd showed it at the customs (I had), and that it was alright.

C'est 'le GPS dans la tête', tu sais. :)

Last trip I had some trouble with a Moroccan douanier who said I was smuggling fuel to Mauretania - I had two jericans!

I suspect the Europeans have turned the screws, as what do the Algies care? Near Oran we saw a tanker on its way to nearby Morocco - filing up off a bowser! Cars with up to 4 jerries in my group talked their way out of it.

In 2007 they got quite heavy arriving in Genoa with a batch of jerries - to the point of calling out a lawyer at midnight or something. This is where a 200L sub-tank pays off.

Ch

The Hoggar is officially open!
 

Algeria reopens Hoggar Mountains (Magharebia.com)
So what are we waiting for just go go go! :)

"Groups of tourists travelling in the south of the country are no longer escorted by gendarmes, according to Djeribi, who also represents Tamanrasset travel agencies.
...
Figures released by the Ahaggar National Park Office indicate that the number of tourists visiting the south of Algeria has fallen sharply since 2009. Visitors dropped from 4,210 in 2009 to 788 in 2010 and then zero in 2011 for the Hoggar Plateau. The situation has been almost the same for the Ahnet Plateau, with tourist numbers plummeting from 1,259 in 2009 to 384 in 2010.

"We are just coming out of two dead seasons. The losses have been huge," Djeribi said. "Now that the plateau has been reopened to tourists, Algeria will once again feature in magazines as a destination and tourists will finally come back.""

Wonder if that means we can cross Tam - DJanet legally without escort? I will ask around.
I also wonder what this was all about, and whether the situation really changed in any tangible way two years ago, or now. :confused1:

In 2010 the Algerian military/intell intercepted comms from AQIM who were planning to abduct tourists on the piste between Djanet and Tam. The tourists were escorted out and restrictions put in place. At the time the UK FCO restricted travel south of Arak (a small settlement about 2hrs drive north of Tam).

AQIM still exist, of course, so I expect the relaxation being reported is a function of pressure from tourism sector (where, in addition, unemployment leads to its own security risk to the state via AQIM recruitment if not riots) and time since that last scare.

If AQIM keep a focus on the Aid worker sector and Spanish and Italian captives, then tourism may free up a bit - till the next incident. Safer in Algeria now than in 2 years time I'd say. Safer being relative....

Tassili-Hoggar ≠ Hoggar
 

Sounds like inaccurate reporting to me, plus a bit of upbeat PR spin in an attempt to get things moving. Not unlike what we heard from Agadez a couple of months back, just before escaping PGF Libyans started flooding across the Tenere.

Where is 'the Hoggar plateau' exactly? If they mean the Atakor (Assekrem, etc), then that certainly wasn't closed last Feb when we drove up and over Tam to Hirafok with no gendarmes or hassle of any kind.

I think they are regurgitating recent news (probably in this thread somewhere) that Tassili-Hoggar region (SW of Tam) was declared open after being closed a couple of years ago - possibly as it was on the way to the Niger border. See map below - also known as Taghrera. That was a popular area judging by the amount of toilet paper in the dunes, and was a mainstay of mostly French fly-in groups (along with a quick one to Assekrem). I think it was the French 'ban' on Algeria fly-ins after Germaneau and Areva grabs in Niger, that really finished off Tam tourism. I am not sure what their 'FCO' says currently.

(To be fair it took me a few years to fully appreciate the difference between Tassili-Hoggar/Taghrera and the Hoggar [Atakor] and Tassili N'Ajjer).

Not sure what it means in regards to opening the Tam-Djanet routes. Doubt that will change.

I'm also not convinced AQIM threat has been erased in the area. They raided an AQIM safe house in Abalessa (NW of Tam) a month after we passed through from Ahnet (or so I read) and the Italian woman was grabbed on the Djanet side at the same time. Safe areas are IMO far from southern borders which offer quick escapes for AQIM raiders - and not hanging around too conspicuously in towns like Tam for too long.

Ch

New Hoggar, Taghera/Tin Tarabine map
 

Fyi, there's a new 200k map just out on the Hoggar and Taghera/Tin Tarabine region.

See Maps (about halfway down the page) for details.

Ch

Alg visas suspended for Grand Sud
 

I am hearing that Switz for sure - and possibly Germany and Italy too? - have just suspended issuing visas for the desert ('Grand Sud'), probably as a result of Mali events. Although a week before that an NL visa was also refused.
Brit visas were issued up to last week (applied weeks before).

Presumably a temporary measure.

Ch

I'm told from another source in Tam that pretty much all European visas for tourists heading to the south of Alg have been stopped.
Why or for how long no one knows.

Ch

Just found out from the alg embassy in Stockholm that since a few days back, they do not issue visas for tourists going to Algerian Sahara.
They said it was a temporary measure, but thought it could last several months.
This begs the question - there isn't any special visas for different parts of Algeria afaik, so once inside one could try and go wherever they would let you.
Are there any reports of tourist being evacuated or turned back at the airports?

I have just asked a UK tour op on their way back but they're still on the road. On the French Explo forum it does not look like it. I bet it varies between checkpoint and wilaya, though.

We'll find out soon enough, but I get the feeling not. Algiers airport is pretty easy going. The question is, can one leave Tam to do one's thing.

When our agency applies to the gendarmerie in a few days for some sort of permit, then we may know.

It does seem an over-reaction, but I think they just don't want the added bother at the moment. Or want to be seen by the EU as reacting cautiously [to Mali].

Ch

Hi,
also in France visa for the "Grand Sud" had been suspended according:
[url=http://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=4640826&idl=392751&idl2=917609&idl3=84991 4137&;#4640826]VoyageForum.com

"No tourism in the South this season"
 

Google Translate from El Watan.

The article asks good questions as to why.

Ch

Thanks for passing this on

Changing your itinerary
 

Our very recent experience in November was this.

We had a planned itinerary that we used for application of our tourist visas. At the border, our very experienced guide did two things.
1) Asked if we wanted to change the itinerary to go further south - we agreed
2) Got police authorisation to take us into the desert

We didn't get the nitty gritty of what went on behind the closed doors but the essense is this. If you have a guide (through a travel agency) that knows his stuff, then it shouldn't be a problem once inside to modify the itinerary.

Our change was only small but still proves it's possible.

The other thing we did when wanting to wander freely without our guide in Ain Salah was to register with the local police our arrival. This meant that we could go where we wanted in the local area without being held up. We were stopped by police and the only things they asked us were:

1. What nationality are you?
2. Have you registered at the police station?
3. Is everything alright?

then it was... "Enjoy our village." and we were free to go. :Beach:

If you want full detail of our trip see our blog: Riding2up Blog

visas DZ
 

Hi there,

About visas for DZ.
I called the embassy in the Hague. (netherlands)
They have to wait for instructions before they will give out visas.


Greetings,
Wilmar

fyi an NL visa was turned down 3 weeks ago and I'm told their website has stated 'no visas for desert tours' for a few weeks at least.

So I am not sure the whole thing is to do with Mali.

Ch

Poland
 

No answer about our visas aplications since 12.2010.
Even no answer of our questions sent to embassy.
Nothing, nothing, nothing, no help, no answer.


Algeria is closed for Polish (us).

PS.
We have paid for visas and guide from Tanezrouft.

Bartosz

Unfortunately didn't apply myself but the Algerian embassy in Lisbon doesn't state any special remark at the moment:

"TOURISM
• Hand written letter by the tourist with its name, duration of the stay and the itinerary of the trip.
• Trip reservation, inbound and outbound
• Hotel reservation or something like "certification by the county president of the place where the inviter is living"
Also:
- 8 working days delay
- non-Portuguese citizens have to show their Portuguese residence authorization
- less than 90 days 60EUR, more than 60 days 100EUR"

So it doesn't apply to persons not living in Portugal :nono:

Original link in Portuguese here, use transalator if needed:
http://www.emb-argelia.pt/index.php?...ares&Itemid=53

Will go there myself but somewhere in the future, not now... :(

Meanwhile I've sent them email questioning if there is any regional ban.

My guess is that the clamp-down on the Grand-Sud is a response to the Tindouf kidnapping. I would imagine the military is busy on some work in the south at the moment and prefers to have a simple situation of no tourists. The military, of course, has nothing to lose by imposing the clamp-down on tourism - at least not in the short-term.

Hi Bartoz,

As sooner as you withdraw your visa application the better is the chance to get the money back from the embassy (but not in case of visa refusal).

For any advance payment to the agency: ask for a refund. The problem could however be to send EUR out of Algeria, considerable fees might apply and other issues due to foreign currency control rules. I never did this, in the past always had some EUR held back for refunds to prevent this issue.

Good luck.

Hi Yves
 

It is not a problem with money.
Problem is comunications with embassy.
In future maybe we visit Algeria and Tanezrouft will probably exist, so money is not a problem.

Bartosz

Hi Bartoz,

>Problem is communications with embassy.
Sorry for the misinterpretation. Indeed, the communication unusual.
I remember 2-3 cases when visa had been refused but it had always been communicated within a useful delay. In a few other cases there had not been a "no" but delivery had been adjourned again and again - which is also a "no" in diplomats language.
Wish you more luck in the future.

All best, Yves

I don't think In Salah is considered part of the Grand Sud, maybe it's the most southern you're allowed to travel in Algeria.......

Following my post above, and to shuffle a bit the discussion, just phoned the Algerian Embassy in Lisbon, Portugal.

The lady stated that touristic visas are being issued without any regional ban. I specifically asked her about a (potential) trip to Tam. in Jan2012 and she said that I just had to follow the normal procedure stated in their webpage (Portuguese, so use translator if necessary).
http://www.emb-argelia.pt/index.php?...ares&Itemid=53

BR,
Luis Cabrita

Hieronymus, you missed the point. I was stating that we could modify our travel plans when inside Algeria in response to Priffe. Whether further south or not, we could have without issue travelled to Tamaraset and in the desert with our guide. We choose not to go futher due to lack of time and not because of any travel restrictions.

Whether you choose to read what I wrote or not that's fine, just don't misinterpret for others please. :nono:

TC was there before the latest restrictions and I imagine could have travelled in all the areas that are open (see this map).

As for the current situation, I just received this.

I could be wrong, but I suspect the Lisbon consulate may not have got the message rather than Portuguese be under some sort of exemption.

Ch

I think you're right!

BR,
Luís Cabrita

Intercept north of Djanet
 

The link below is in line with the quote in my post a couple of days ago, ie: clearing the desert of tourists until the Libyan outflow is plugged.

Google Translate

Ch

Also spotted this 6-month old news on El K which I don't recall reading before. Ties Alg in closer with AQIM and ABZ - not something you read so often and makes you think the tourism there may have been skating on thin ice. Of course, who knows if it's all as it reads...

... conversation continued here

travel restrictions Algeria update
 

Saw this posting (see below) on the Lonely planet thorntree forum.
Can anyone confirm this?

Greetings,
Wilmar



Travel Restrictions - page 2 - Lonely Planet travel forum




Dear all,

I just read this very long thread and hope I can shed some light on it as a foreigner who has stayed in Algeria for 3 years and work in the tourism domain.

The southern areas, Tamanraset and Djanet included, was officially closed to foreigners between 1 to 10 dec. We know because one of our clients was granted a visa to go there only to have it officially revoked on 1 dec on grounds that the area was closed. On 10 dec, the director of tourism of Illizi, informed tour operators that the area was once again officially opened. So the 'strange reports' you've been getting is all true. It's just that the situation is very fluid for the moment. The proliferation of arms from Libya is a real threat to Algeria. While tourists may not like this fluidity, the government is playing it 'better safe than sorry'. Kidnapping of foreigners in the Maghreb always draws very big negative international attention - often overblown and not called-for. Nevertheless, that how the news works. So it may seem over the top to have so much police escort for tourists, and your company (Kira) having travel bans for you (many foreign companies have that here), but if you see it from their point of view, it makes sense. While having tourists would be very good for the grassroot economy, one incident can cost Algeria much more.

Now as for Adrar, there is no travel ban. In late October, after the incident in Tindouf (800+km from Timimoun), a gendamarie escort regulation is now enforced. That is tourists travelling by road between El Menia (otherwise known as El Golea, south of Ghardaia) and Ain Sefra must be registered with the gendamarie who will then provide armed escorts (FOC). I don't know how this will work for those travelling on public buses/taxi, but they are stopped for checks along the highway.

As for travelling to Tindouf, this is, as far as I know, off limits to tourists. Seeing some Spanish going there in the airport in no way means it's open. Most likely, you'll have to have special reasons for going there - and sight-seeing isn't one as there's nothing to see there.

The reason for seeming conflicting info/action from teh government is due to the lack of link between the various departments. The embassies can say one thing while the ministry of tourism says another. then you get to the immigration, and the officer does something else. And you finally get onto the road, the gendamarie road blocks may tell you something else. In the end, what matters is who you're dealing with at that precise moment. Tourists obviously find this extremely frustrating but that's just how the country works. Hence, in places like Algeria, it can be good to have an agency handle all these matters while you enjoy this otherwise, mavellous country.

Haven't heard other than the south was closed December 1, until further notice.

My idea, if I go, is to pick up Djanet guides somewhere in the north, Ouargla perhaps, and then go wherever they will let us. At the moment it is very hard to know that beforehand, and the situation can obviously suddenly change without notice.

Well if the 'closure' is over then that is good news.
As for tourist visas, who knows.

I give my two dinars worth on the TT.

Ch

I know it's of little relevance now in light of the recent developments, but for anyone interested, an account of our October trip is now online: Tassili N'Ajjer, Algeria - October 2011

Nice report Andras - havn't read it all but good to see some new images from that area.

Just got this from Brazil. It seems visas may depend on the consul and the '1-10 Dec closure' mentioned earlier may not be correct - or the message has not spread.

Ch

Algerian embassy Stockholm today - "'we know nothing', so
turn in your application, we'll forward it to Alg and then we will see what happens".

Old thread...2013 Djanet saw only 500 foreign tourists.

Djanet n’accueille plus que 500 touristes étrangers par an - Magazine - El Watan

I was there last month, had a bivouac near the crying cows. Still very beautiful but yes, no tourists...


Safe travels, Sam.

Just returned from a two week trip to the Tassili, flew to Djanet (via Algiers) and returned via Illizi, doing two separate treks, one in the central Tassili (from Iherir) and one up the Wadi Djerat. All went smoothly, have not encountered any hassles or issues, a thoroughly pleasant experience.

None of our participants had any problems with visas, all were issued (on 4 continents) within 4 weeks of receiving invitation letters from Essendilene, it seems Abdou is still well connected. Same with all police/military permits, paperwork in Djanet was ready under an hour.

Our trip start was timed to coincide with the Sabeiba festival in Djanet, there was another Polish group of five apart ourselves, no more foreigners. I did see a Spanish and an Italian group at the Domestic terminal at Algiers airport, but they did not board the Djanet/Tam flight.

Will have some pics/trip report up my website soon.

Thanks for the news Andrasz. Other agencies were contacting me recently regarding revived access in this popular 'fly-in' area, but nothing doing elsewhere in the south (or perhaps less interest in promoting those places).

Ch

Independent Travel to Algeria
 

Is there a travel agent anyone knows and could recommend who would be able to assist us in planning an independent self drive trip to Algeria please? We would like to visit in our motorhome next year. Many thanks Jon

Ho Jon, unlike Morocco (for example,) these days travel by motorhome is unheard of in Alg, but try some of the agencies listed here:
Algeria info | Sahara Overland

Down south you will need an escort vehicle which will cost at least €100 a day.
Up north it's unlikely you'll be able to leave a port or border also without an escort (but people have managed this on occasion).

Also down south, a low-clearance vehicle may be hindrance.

Ch

Thanks Chris, we'll look into the link you sent.

Samsung and Ray Ban in action
 

Times have certainly changed... (Sabeiba Festival, Djanet)

In a lighter spirit Merry Christmas & Happy New Year, everyone!

http://www.fjexpeditions.com/expedit...li14/P7570.jpg

Thanks for this nice picture!
Hoping things are going better in the area:innocent:

RR.

Hi, can you send me an email?


sam at prepare2go dot com


Thanks, Sam.

It took a while, finally completed the account of our last November's trip to the Tassili:
Tassili N'Ajjer, Algeria - November 2014

http://www.fjexpeditions.com/expedit...i14/P9631s.jpg

Great trip!

Very, very interesting Andrasz, thx.

Tried going to the Tassili / Djanet area again this year, from our party of four three (myself included) were unable to obtain visas for a fly-in trip with local agency support. I'm not sure, but this could have been connected to the bit of news on the Sahara security thread (http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...-41#post517408).

Similar to the experience of others in the past, our visas were never denied, just the confirmation failed to arrive from Algiers despite repeated assurances and promises. It appears we can strike off another country from the ever shrinking list.

It can be difficult. We're regularly there but not as 'tourists' so perhaps easier?

So bad
RR.

::(

Guides in Djanet are still hopeful, just heard from them yesterday.
But they know little of where the problem lies. Algeria is an enigma, and could erupt anytime.
There is war between touareg and tobo on the Libyan side not that far from Djanet. Libya: Ubari's War as Photographed By Philippe Dudouit
Libya: The Forgotten War of the Tebu and Tuareg

Any news on that front? I'm thinking of joining a camel trekking coming spring at Djanet. Tour operator said: lots of military around, all safe. Does this coincide with your experience?

I would not have any safety concerns in the Djanet area, the military presence was subdued but omnipresent in the past years, and they have a pretty impressive array of remote-sensing capabilities.


The issue seems to be with the issuing of visas at present. The advice: start early, apply at least 2-3 months in advance of planned trip.

Since 2006 I was many times in Djanet area and Tadrart. I returned a week ago from the last trip. There were more tourists on Sebeiba than in previous years. Last year were Andrasz and two groups of Polish only, now Europeans were ca 50+. We met someone every day in Tadrart, even 14 Landcruisers in the same time near Tamezguida. Comparing - we didn’t met anybody in whole Tadrart on 2014. Army more than usual. Military camps in Essendilene and at the entrances to Wadi El Berdj and Wadi Injaren. In addition car patrols in Tadrart. Looks better than in previous years, but Algeria will changes soon related to the illness of President Bouteflika. You don’t know what will happens…
We received visas this year without problems, but I've heard about small groups of Italians, who didn’t receive the visas and Belgians, who received it but after ca 2 months waiting for authorisations from Algerian Foreign Affairs.. Last year we got visas after phone call of our friends from the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs...
Regards
Artur
Torre.pl - wycieczki, wyprawy egzotyczne - Afryka, Azja, Ameryka Południowa

Thanks a lot for these infos, it sounds that situation is a (little) better now though the main problem is to obtain visa when you want to go to Southern area.
14 Land Cruisers: which nationality? (Cars and drivers).
RR.

All

Have read (some of) this thread. We are/were looking at going to Algeria for a month at or just after Christmas and travelling as backpackers. Train along the north coast and dipping down into the south for maybe a week or so of desert.

We've done a bit of travelling before as you can see from the overlandcruiser link, and Algeria is the only Maghreb country we haven't visited.

Is this a foolhardy / unrealistic idea?

Mark

All you need is the visa and, as used to happen before, visas for certain nationalities dry up periodically.

To travel in the deep south you will need an escort which usually comes with the official invite needed to get the visa. You can't just roam around on buses, but give it a go. They can only send you back. Or get on a local plane - less checkpoints that way.

I think the Timimoun area (nice dunes, etc) may be north of the escort requirement.

I would look on Thorn Tree to see if any backpackers have managed to travel in the north.

But as a Brit, almost certainly the visa will be the crux. As has been said above: they are not refused outright, just never issued in time, so buy a refundable air ticket if there is such a thing.

All Algerians. Tuaregs from Djanet. All tourist came by plane to Djanet.
Related to the visas - probably visas are issued for citizens from countries with quite good political relations with algerian goverment. This can be true, because I had in the group people from Germany - they obtain the visas with many problems.
The consul from Warsaw show me the fax with authorisation from Foreign Affairs in Algier and there were Japanese, Polish and people from Spain only.

Hi Chris / all

We have this AM put in applications for our Algerian visas @ the London embassy. The receipt SAYS it will be ready on Fri 17th.....I asked the visa section whether we needed to call first to check before coming to the embassy and they said "no don't call us, just come at 3PM on the 17th and it will be ready - I promise!" Are we being naiive to believe this?

They also wanted an itinerary showing "approximate" dates, hotel names and places, so I had to run off to a nearby internet cafe and put one together - thank goodness I'd managed to lay my hands on a cc of the most recent Algeria Lonely Planet! I didn't give any indication that we'd be going to the deep south, or indeed anywhere in the red / orange bits on the latest FCO Travel Advice map.

I did have a look and post on TT about travelling as a backpacker in the north....a few people appear to have done so recently and 2 have even PM'd me asking me to let them know how I get on!

Mark

Good for you Mark, and good luck.
Done without an agency invite I take it? Or what?

My say though, I've heard similar assurances before and all turned out to be a waste of time. There's something about not declining a visa outright, just stringing you along until your travel plans are cocked up. Don't think its just about keeping your money; maybe a quota thing or maybe that's what the Brits do to Algies in Algiers.

Last time I knew (many years ago) it was In Salah latitude (and other places - In Amenas maybe) where the strict controls were.
But like I may have said, that technically still means you can explore Timimoun region

Got an email recently from some bloke who said he rode his KTM down to Djanet and beyond in April. Yet to find out how he actually did it.

The sealed highways are not actually closed to foreigners wit escorts as far as I know. But who's going to go to Alg just to do that (apart from KTM man - ride to Djanet is actually pretty epic).

Hi Chris

I spoke to them on the phone before going in person to lodge the application and they said for a UK passport holder they wanted a hotel booking - which I did, for 2 days in a place in Algiers via Hotels.com - but that an invitation letter wasn't necessary. When we arrived, I met the same person I'd spoke to on the phone and who questioned why we'd applied for a 30 day visa but only had a hotel booked for 2 days; we said we were planning to travel around. Then she asked for the dreaded invitation letter, at which point I said we didn't have one. After that, she asked for the dreaded itinerary - and said it was fine when I brought one back.

You've got me worried now about whether it'll be ready on the 17th (as well as her telling me not to call them)! The hotel can be cancelled and refunded if it isn't, but we haven't yet dared buy a plane ticket. And we've both got to sort out annual leave at work.

Re the areas with controls - we may or may not go to those, and in any case won't without whatever guide / escort is required.

Mark

I wonder wonder consular woman is a newb who hasn't done a tourist visa.
You may have slipped in by chance. Or its just the usual string-along.

Without your own vehicle is less of a commitment then.
Worth paying more for a plane ticket you can cancel last minute.
Worth also buying a domestic plane ticket down south - Djanet or Tam - and organising something there with an agency - Hoggar/Assekrem out of Tam with Timtar (4 e.g.) - or a plateau walk out of Djanet with Essendilene (also 4 e.g).
Saves days and dodges all the road checks. The north is not so interesting and IMO more risky for foreigners.

Well - she was called Huda, and when I first called the visa section a couple of weeks ago I got through initially to someone who couldn't speak much English and who put me straight on to her instead. From the way she was rattling through on the phone what paperwork was needed and from how she dealt with us today, she didn't come across as inexperienced. And in fairness to her, she HAD said something on the phone about an itinerary - I just hadn't prepared a written / printed one in advance, hoping merely to point to places in the LP book.

I saw her letting one British woman collect her passport & visa during the morning application time slot even though collections were meant to be in the afternoon and there were other applicants there in various stages of their application processes; I didn't witness anyone complaining about "but you told me it would be ready today" but that might just be during the 30 mins or so I was there, and during the morning application time slot rather than the afternoon collection one!

Interesting what you say about the north being less risky for foreigners - the FCO says different https://assets.digital.cabinet-offic...vel_Advice.pdf

Oh well, all will be revealed shortly and then there will a bundle for Hyde Park Gate - or not.

You can see I said the opposite, but yes it does contradict the FCO map.
As we've been seeing these last few weeks and months, the hardcore psychos are where the people are, not deep in the desert. Note the yellow patch to the right of Algiers. I would give that a red.

Hi,
Plateau is closed for foreign tourists now. Alidemna the same.
Tadrart and NW-SW area (Tin Abaro, Tin Mouma, Tin Batoulet, Afara, Tasset, Ihrir, Idaren, etc..) are open.
Regards
Artur

Yippee! Huda came good - we now have our Algerian visas! bier

It was a bit worrying up to the end, as a work colleague who is Algerian tried to call someone he knew at the consulate earlier in the week to check whether we were going to get them OK. Someone wasn't there, so he ended up talking to Huda - who said "if they've been told the 17th, they'll get them on the 17th" and this was exactly the same response I got when I called yesterday morning before going there in person; I'd have preferred it if she'd said something like 'what are your names - hold on while I check'!

I had a quick chat before leaving the embassy. Apparently the rumours about foreign ATM cards not working in Algeria are true. And just to see the response, I asked about going to Tamanrasset (stressing that I meant the city, not the surrounding countryside) and got told it's off-limits :-(

Any info/tips anyone can give me about any aspect of travel in Algeria would be greatly appreciated.

Good news with visas - shame about Tam. 'Pour votre securite' no doubt.
Credit cards never worked there - it's not like Morocco, it's like Iran - but buying cash on the side may get you 10% more.
I heard from a guying who rode his moto down to Djanet earlier in the year. Had to be escorted all the way from Ghardaia (+ military escort through oilfields) - so the 'line in the sand' is further north than it used to be.

I'd fly straight to Djanet and visit the great places Artur mentions.

Good news indeed, well done.
Re cards, I have used my UK issued visa several times at Algiers airport and at the Airport Sofitel, both to draw cash at ATM-s and also to pay bills directly. No cards work in the South, but had no issues in the North.
Second Chris' advice, fly to Djanet and see whatever is visitable, they are all superb places. Check out the accounts of our last two trips on my website for ideas.

I'm off to Algeria in Feb, travelling around the north with a bicycle, and got my visa no problems. I managed to get an invite posted to me, but the actual application was super fast. It was stamped into my passport the day my application arrived there by post (a Friday) and was back to me on the Wednesday. No itinerary, no reservations, just an invite letter.

https://assets.digital.cabinet-offic...vel_Advice.pdf

So other than that yellow blob, which I see Chris said should be red, is there anything else that people in the area think should be avoided? I'll be coming from Tunisia and exiting by ferry to Spain.

Great news with the visa. And they say there was a 'soft coup' there last week, too.

Depending on how long you got, I would go way under the yellow bit and Algiers, just because it will be quieter roads. I imagine the coast road will be non-stop traffic.

Definitely not in a rush. I'm going to go via M'Sila, as that's where the guy who invited me lives, but beyond that my plan is pretty open.

FCO Algeria map seems to suggest crossing the Tunisian border at the coast, but then having said that https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/tunisia FCO don't seem particularly keen on the idea of me going to Tunisia in the first place.

Just a question from looking at my visa. Does the expiry date (21st of March) mean the day I have to leave the country by irrespective of when I enter, or the last day I can enter the country by, and then they start counting? They gave me 30 days, which I'm hoping to extend when I get into the country, but just wondering how much of a rush I am in to get to Algeria and how much dilly dallying I can do in Tunisia.

I think it's the last day you can enter the country, in other words, use the visa. Then the 30 days starts ticking.

I can't imagine the expiry date meaning it is the last date the 30 day entry can start - surely it's the last date you can be in the country.

Having said that, on my application form I said I would be arriving on 14 March 2016 and that I wanted a 30 day visa. The visa I got back (attached) says "Expire le 13/04/16". From that I deduce that in my case 13 April is the first day the visa is no longer valid, rather than the last day it is valid.

You are right. I checked my old visas.
You must be out before expiry date.
Now we know.

We arrived in Timiaouine once, long time ago, leaving Algeria. Stamping us out, the officer said "did you know your visas are running out today?" We didn't! Just plain forgot. We had entered the country a couple days later than planned.
Just lucky.
PS - I hear there are more tourists in Djanet this year.