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Yes they dodged the military/police escort, they had some queries from authorities in Tindouf how they had managed to do it. Not sure of exact route but I think they got PCR tests in Bechar after Mauritania introduced new requirements last week.
The Spanish who crossed isn’t the bikers I mentioned. The letter of authorisation is a bit of a mystery as well. The Algerians have suggested their embassy can help. I wonder if it’s related to news reports a few weeks ago that NE Mauritania is a security zone required authorisation to access. |
The letter of authorisation was introduced during covid. At the Senegal-Mauritania border at Rosso both Mauritanians and Senegalese customs ask for it. In this case it means the Mauritanian embassy in Algeria should issue writen permission that you are allowed to enter at Tindouf (as during covid only people with good reasons were allowed to go abroad). Officially the letter is skipped now, I think. I managed to enter Senegal at Rosso without, last november, after a lot of haggling
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Not heard that anyone who crossed from Morocco to Mauritania since November needed one. A guy crossing from Sengal to Mauritania was asked recently but confirm that it wasn’t necessary.
No update on the guys at Tindouf today, their PCRs must be close to expiry now. |
It seems the Tindouf border is posing some problems.
A short post today reveals the French guys are stuck in Tindouf requiring permission from both the Mauritanians and Algerians to cross. So far they have been unable to get things sorted out. |
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Well who'd have thought that might happen? Bravo to them for trying, but a border that is only sketchily open at the best of times, added to pandemic chaos... what could possibly go wrong? |
Hi, we are the romanian guys. Due to health problems we postponed a little our Algeria/Mauretania trip. We will start it hopefully in May.
We would be very happy if there will be other of you joining us in the Sahara crossing. |
The Spanish bikers made the crossing :thumbup1:
It was not straight forward. Escorts were in place as they headed south to Tindouf. The border is not officially open for tourists. They needed authorisation from both Algeria and Mauritania, Algerian one is issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and was straight forward as they already had the planned itinerary from their Visa application (The others currently in Tindouf are having problems getting this authorisation). Mauritanian Authorisation was obtained via the Spanish embassy in Mauritania and took 5 days to get. (Other embassies reportedly refuse to do this, the bikers recommend that this is checked with your embassy before planning a trip). Mauri visa issued at the border, same 55euro price as at Guergarrat. Travelling on small bikes it took 6 days to get to Zouarat, they carried 35l petrol each and 16l water. They report black market fuel supplies en-route but are unsure if petrol is available as they didn't need any. They met quite a bit of traffic (probably relative) everyone was very friendly and stopped to check they were ok and had enough food water and fuel. Repeated advice was do not cross into SADR/PFZ due to security issues |
The french (actually 1 french 1 Netherlands) didnt make it across the border.
Despite being told they could cross by the Algerian Embassies in their home countries they hadnt been told about the authorisation needed from both side to cross. They arrived in Tindouf a week before the Spanish bikes. The French embassy in Algiers could arrange the Algerian authorisation but the NL embassy refused to help. Neither embassies in Mauritania were prepared to help with the authorisation from the Mauritanian to allow them to cross. They managed to find who could unofficially pull some strings to get the necessary authorisation but after 3 weeks in Tindouf it still didn't arrive and their visas expired. Reluctantly they returned to Spain. They recommend that if you are going to try the Tindouf route you makes sure you have authorisation to leave Algeria before arriving in country and your embassy in Mauritania is prepared to obtain the Mauritanian approvals to enter at Tindouf. |
More Moroccan air strikes of Algerian trucks using this route.
Near Ain Ben Tili which is in RIM, but presumably the lorries were in the nearby PFZ. https://www.menadefense.net/algerie/...en-mauritanie/ |
Not such good news for this route.
Did the UN ever published the outcome of its investigation into the November incident? I don't recall seeing anything |
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The Romanians have made the crossing through Tindouf to Mauritania. However they report it was not easy
They spent a week in Tindouf arranging permits from both the Algerians and Mauritanians “The Hassi 75 Border is officially closed. Just don't show up in Algeria with a visa obtained with a hotel booking. Chances are you won't even make it to Tindouf. No chance in crossing the border.” |
Another Tindouf transit report, fyi
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Tindouf, Algeria to Zouerat, Mauritania
On Christmas Eve I crossed into Mauritania by the new border crossing at Tindouf. I am currently in Zouerat, and have seen tarmac for the first time in over a week. So I guess it's time to report about how the piste has been. As I have said before, we got caught in the "escort trap" in Algeria, and had to have escort for the last 3500 km of our trip. So naturally we had an escort from Tindouf to the border as well. That was only about 80 km. From the border to Zouerat, we have driven about 800 km on piste. We did take the short cut through SADR, so I guess it would be about 850 km if you don't do this. My car has used about 12,5 liters of diesel per 100 km in Algeria, and about the same when I drove through Europe. I wasn't sure how much it would use on the piste, and I wasn't sure if the piste would last until Zouerat or Atar. Also, I wasn't sure if I would be able to find fuel along the way. So I decided to bring about 250 liters of fuel. This should be enough for 20 liters per 100 km, all the way to Atar. On the piste, I seem to have used about 17,5 liters per 100 km. So not so bad, in my opinion. I could probably have brought better navigation tools to navigate the piste than what I did. I have a GPS. But the first time I was in Africa, the maps I could get for Africa was not very far from useless. So I haven't bothered with that since then. Maybe I should, since with time, these maps would get better. Last time I was in Africa, I just used Google Maps. And that worked excellently. But I know that without internet, that won't work so well. So I also got an offline map app called Maps.me. It's better than Google in some ways, and worse in other ways. But I don't expect it to be the best thing available. Anyway, both Google and Maps.me showed a piste from the border and to Bir Lehlou in SADR. They didn't show the same piste though. The one on Maps.me showed that we first had to go north along the border, then enter Algeria again, and then drive very close to the berm. We didn't want to do that. But in hindsight, maybe we should have. When we have been on the pistes shown by Maps.me or Google Maps, it has been quite easy to follow them. But finding the pistes when we were not on them, was more tricky. We drove from the border and to Bir Lehlou, in SADR. This was about 170 km of piste, and add the 80 km of tarmac before the border, and it's a total of 250 km. In Bir Lehlou, it's possible to fill up with diesel. But they said petrol is not available anywhere in SADR. I also have from two different sources that diesel in SADR is of lower quality, so the fuel usage would be higher. In Bir Lehlou, we paid about €0,5 per liter of diesel. When we met with Polisario on the piste, we had to have an escort to Bir Lehlou. And we also had to have an escort next day to Aïn Ben Tili, in Mauritania. We wanted to go on to Tifariti, but we were not allowed to do that. We are from Norway, and we were told that SADR has a representative in Oslo. So if we want to return, we should talk to them first. If we had done that in advance, maybe we could have been allowed to go to Tifariti. Also, for anyone wanting to go through SADR, it might be a good idea to check how your country's relationship with SADR is, before you come. From Bir Lehlou to Bir Moghrein, it was about 300 km of piste. In Bir Moghrein there are two fuel stations, but they only had diesel. The diesel cost 25 MRU per liter, or about €0,6. This surprised me, since I thought diesel in Mauritania was about €1 per liter. Maybe the diesel is cheaper in Bir Moghrein for some reason. Or maybe I was wrong in my assumption about the price. They also said it was possible to find petrol there. But the petrol came in barrels, and were not sold in the fuel stations. We did not locate these "petrol stations", but we were ensured that it was not difficult to find petrol. From Bir Moghrein to Zouerat is about 320 km of piste. In Zouerat there are lots of fuel stations. I have not filled up yet, so I don't know the price. But on one petrol pump I saw, it said 42 MRU. So either petrol is a lot more expensive than diesel, or Zouerat is a lot more expensive than Bir Moghrein. So when it comes to fuel, you don't really need lots of spare fuel to drive this route. The longest distance between fuel stations were Bir Moghrein to Zouerat, at 320 km. Unless you use petrol, or don't want to drive through SADR. Then it's 550-600 km from Tindouf to Bir Moghrein. So with our route through Bir Lehlou, we would not have needed any spare fuel at all. The piste was not really difficult to drive. Being the stupid person I am, I brought a trailer. I knew that was going to make it more difficult, but with 3 people, we decided that we needed 2 cars, or a car with a trailer. And we made the wrong choice. We did get stuck a few times, but it wasn't really difficult to get out again. Without a trailer, I don't think I would have gotten stuck once. The trailer is also the reason why we have taken so long. We have not done over 100 km in a day at any time on the piste. We did meet with a swiss couple who caught up with us on the piste. So they were the fourth group of tourists to use this border crossing. They spent two days from Tindouf to Bir Moghrein, and would probably get to Zouerat on the third day. |
Is that Jon Teiglands 2019 report? looks like his car and trailer.
He posted more detail on the West Africa Facebook group not long after completing the trip. The more recent travellers have reported things have changed quite a lot. |
Has anyone done this crossing in the other direction, yet? From Mauri into Algeria?
I had the vague shower thought of Spain > Morocco > Mauri > Algeria > Tunisia > Italy...as Algeria/Tunisia has opened up, too and now this border seems somehow doable, what´s the Hubb´s opinion on this? |
Yes looks like the old report now I think of it.
Was passed on to me without refs. I get a feeling that, as often happens in these situations, the honeymoon period for this border crossing may have ended for foreigners. Coming from the south the key will be to have an Alg visa in the hand along with other permissions (possibly from your own embassy) and maybe even an escort lined up who will help with other Algerian docs and hurdles. There won't be much to lose driving up from Zouerate other than a few days in the desert. Just be sure you have enough fuel to turn around at Hassi 75, if that's what it comes to. |
The author was, shall we say, slightly naive to Algeria and the trip but he was one of the first to cross and you can’t hold that against him.
As for doing it northbound, no one has tried as far as I know but I can’t see it being easy and probably more difficult than heading south |
Thanks both of you.
As already wisely mentioned, the naive and confident may sneak their chances. This border has been crossed recently, so the overlanding community may naively normalize it straight away by just demanding the same rights. Or at least valid information about it. Maybe a swarm of overlanders tempted by the idea of a loop like Tanger > Noakschott > Tunis should just ask this question, what´s needed to traverse Algeria coming from Mauri by own transport, stupidly straight forward to their tourist board: https://algeriatours.dz/en contact@algeriatours.dz I just did, as "I´ve noticed, that the Algerian border with Tunisia has recently opened up for tourism and also noticed reports from various sources about European overlanders crossing the Algerian border at Tindouf into Mauritania towards Zouerat." It happended on the internet, so must be true. With some noticeable demand from individual overlanders and tour operators asking for info on (grouped) sec escort, they might take in consideration, it´d be worth to spend tax payers money on providing security and/or check points through the south west on a regular basis. The border policy and touristic efforts of the Algerian gov seems to just open up in a fresh attempt and they may appreciate some input from their potential clients;-) So long |
Unlike the normal Tunisian border crossing, the Tindouf region has long been off-limits to foreigners which explains - last I read – the added permissions needed to cross it.
It certainly would seem easier to travel from the restrictions of Algeria towards less complicated RIM, but as we've heard lately, the problem might be the cost and time spent in Alg sorting things out. I think a southern approach has some merit. The key is the Alg visa which, for Brits at least, comes most easily attached to a booked escort. For this people might try: tourdusud2000 � yahoo Tour du Sud and AL Zajil Travel who are based in 'El Golea'. An old guide or fixer I know based in In Salah (last I heard) also tells me he will be starting an agency this autumn. Both will have better connections to the west of the country, compared to the usual Tam or Djanet-based agencies, some of who had never heard of the Tindouf crossing, last time I asked. Persistence and patience may yield results, but I don't think Algeria has any interest in easing the Tindouf crossing for a handful overlanders. Those days are long over. It's value to them is in a relatively safe, Morocco-dodging overland trade route with West Africa (Mali and Niger being too far gone). |
Thanks, contacts are saved. Just in case.
I´m more curiously daydreaming, than ambitiously planning that loop in the near future. Just tumbled across this thread and felt some itch wondering, how hard can it be... Cheers |
The recent crossings (I summarised above) are fully documented on the Overlanding West Africa and Morocco Facebook group. Not everyone who tried crossing succeeded.
Hopefully I posted the relevant info above |
Thanks Warden. Hopefully, the overlanding community will still forward such info, to make it into openly available forums with less interest in shamelessly monetizing my desires. Although I sometimes feel missing out on crucial real life info like this one, I´m still happy to have switched off my FB account a few years ago. Do you have a link to some blog or website of these pioneers (achievers and misses alike)?
As Dave the hat recently reported a drone strike in the Western Sahara , this region actually seems to be too hot for my taste, only to avoid heating up my flat this german winter. |
I agree it's a shame one has to sign up to FB (or even ask to join a group) to get info which is useful to all.
That is why we like the HUBB ;-) So keep us updated, Mark, svp. Fyi I just responded to that drone strike post. For travellers I dont think it is much to worry about. |
Recent quote for Tindouf route from an Algerian agency:
1000 euro pp for three day escort Alger-Tindouf and visa-invitation! But on top of that expect visa issue delays, depending on where you apply. |
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Sorry maybe this is the wrong thread to ask? |
In my experience, once you have the visa you are good to go.
But when I arrived at Med ports I had an agency guide there to smooth things over. If you don't have/need that, don't say you are going far south. Last I heard you even need an escort to visit Ghardaia, 400km south of Algiers. |
I'm new to overlanding and have long been interested in doing a Morocco to Tunisia (or vice versa) overland trip. I don't drive and it seems that crossing borders is always much more complicated when you have your own vehicle (permisions, fuel, etc). Has anyone thought about crossing the Algeria-Mauritania border by hitchhiking? Taking a taxi to the border, walking across, and taking another taxi on the other side (perhaps pre-arranged)? Would that be too risky due to safety concerns?
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I don't think you'll find a taxi on an 800-km piste; more likely an informal arrangement with a trucker. That's bound to be an adventure but how will you even get past checkpoints to Tindouf zone, or even an Algerian visa? It's not a regular border just a hut in the middle of nowhere with a long stretch of No Man's land (afaik). I am not sure this border gets more than a few vehicles a week.
This route is not like Libya-Niger (below) or Chad gros porteur Mercs, and even in the good days few tourists tried that. More for nothing-to-lose migrant workers. As said earlier, might be easier from the south up. https://saharaoverland.files.wordpre...eclipse43a.jpg |
Did anybody manage to cross the border at Tindouf recently? Algeria16 agency - used by the Romanians and the Spanish/American couple mentioned in earlier posts - did not manage to get us (two Dutch travellers) visa. What about others?
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Talk of another Algerian truck or three got droned by Morocco in the northern PFZ, just before Ait Ben Tili.
(A reminder not to take the short-cut via PFZ). https://twitter.com/TheAlgiersPost/s...38809581178880 |
Did the UN investigations of the last alleged drone attack ever get published?
Also, report from 'Ludwig" on the Buschtaxi forum last week that the border is closed heading from Alg - Mauri |
I heard it's not closed, just out of fuel - or maybe that was someone else.
Someone else is heading that way in a few days. |
Post here last Wednesday and Thursday https://www.wuestenschiff.de/phpbb/m...224785a61ff432
Ludwig does mention meeting some italians in Hassi Kheibi who had travelled from Fderik and got an Alg escort towards Bechar. This would be the first mention I've seen of anyone crossing from Mauritania on the route |
The website of the Italians who recently crossed from Mauritania to Algeria. Theres no report about the trip so if someone was interested they would probably need to contact them directly
https://jusalulu.com/ |
It seems the swiss have hit the brick wall at Tindouf.
Some interesting info but they seem unaware of the crossings in the first half of 2022. https://cantone-libero.ch/reisen/afr...d-wohl-nichts/ Drone attacks are mentioned although the reality of this is still unclear. Last week other media were reporting at Algerian attack on Mauritanian gold miners and theft of their gold. |
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Looks like DZ and RIM are moving ahead with plans for the road.
https://www.aps.dz/regions/151715-al...ndouf-zouerate https://www.aps.dz/regions/152071-le...ndouf-zouerate but if the claim off 773km is correct, that is quite a long short cut across the desert. (Thanks to SK for digging this up) |
Algerian who made it through PK75
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https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/north-africa/mauritania-visa-border-84142
Hi We did last january 2023 exactly a year ago..... we waited 2 days at border in mauritania side.... they wont let us out, until Algerian autorities came there and get autorization from Alger...next day let us cross in to algerian side.... we had visa and algerian family official invitation... no any civilian is autorize to go from Tinduf to the real berder point, PK55 ,
all area is under army control> we get escorted to Tinduf city and from there with our Algerian friend, who made the invitation, we drove always under escort to timimoun and Elgolea... from there we drive alone to ghardaia and even went for a week in the meaddle of Erg occidentale .....spend more than a week in gardaia alone but on the way to tunisia get escorted again up to the border.... always very kind and welcoming... great experience but Im sure on the other way(Algeria to Mauritania will be almost impossible because they stop anybody long before the tinduf border area.... we meet a german guy with mali passport who was sent back PS The pist from Zuerat to the border point PK55 is easy and full of big trucks |
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I will have also invitations and visa from privat person. Hopelly we will know new reports from people crossing border this time. |
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This is very interesting to hear and confirms what I found when I applied for my visa last autumn - that having an Algerian citizen who can vouch for you is the best way to get a visa and also freedom to travel. Ed Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk |
I don't know if this is a visa issue, or a border issue.
After running almost 7,500 miles across Africa, this man’s epic odyssey hangs in the balance |
2 Bits of News
The Swiss (Cantone-libero) have successfully crossed from Mauritania to Algeria And secondly an official announcement that the border is open to people as well as freight was made today. |
I see the trans-Africa runner bloke (Robin Cook?) has just checked in from DZ, having run up from Atar and got let in.
April 2024: he finished. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-68725446 |
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