New border: Algeria (Tindouf) – Mauritania (Bir Mogrein)
 

It seems that they've opened up the Tindouf border into Mauritania

https://sudhorizons.dz/en/featured-n...row-in-tindouf

Between Tindouf and Zouerate! This will make things interesting!!!

someone should ask for Alg visa and give it as entry point
Leaving Mauri should not be a problem

News article here showing footage of the border opening:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqPg3S76naE

Well spotted. That should annoy Morocco, especially if it cuts through the PFZ (Tifariti, etc) on its way to Bir Mogrein, as current pistes do.
Hard to think it will be open to tourists.
Tindouf area never was, even in the good years.
Fyi this book describes taking that route in the late 50s in a Ford Zephyr.

As a response from the Sherif, Morocco plans to open their own crossing to Bir Mogrein.
From Guelta Zemmour, only 90 kms or so away as the bird fly.
https://www.yabiladi.com/articles/de...tre-maroc.html
This should cause an upset, as it cuts across Polisario territory.
https://i1.wp.com/uhurutimes.com/wp-...size=540%2C486

So potentially you could nip out of the bottom of Morocco, short Transit through Mauritania then up into Algeria

Would make a great road trip but highly unlikely Alg entry/exit will be allowed to tourists.

That's the problem indeed!

RR.

The current apparent pragmatism regarding borders - and I have been party to several conversations this year in Atar and Chinguetti about the Bir Moghrein route - is driven by commercial interest and afforded by a relative thaw in political circles.
Any need DZ sees to promote tourism will be surely be strictly shepherded ( or actually just herded!) along existing corridors that are well known to all for the last couple of generations. This is unlikely imho to change in our lifetimes. Of course for an Algerian definition of "lifetime" one need look no further than the Presidency.
For the more adventurous tourist, laden with fuel and fiches, Mauri' is the playground without rival at present, and Atar and Chinguetti are as good as you need for a base. I met a Swiss guy, brilliant photographer, soloing around the Ourane of Adrar, way beyond Guelb el Richat, in his trusty old Patrol. Because he can. And why not?
Who on earth would want to have the grief of Algerian or Moroccan border guards when there is relative freedom in Mauri. Ok, it's a bit further away, so just be a bit better organised!
Salaam

I agree RIM is the best (only?) place to BYO and DIY in proper Sahara with 4x4, and the long schlep down WS coast could be greatly eased via Bir Mogrein entry.
But I think all those who did the central Sahara in the good years are a bit spoilt.
I would sooner continue exploring Alg and Niger with agency escorts – were that possible.
To me the topography for cruising the desolate plains and crossing occasional ranges just isn't there as it is in central Sahara.

Topography is an interesting and relevant back-beat to travel but only one factor of many, imho. As ever I, as with so many others, bow to your greater experience of exploring the region. Yet to mention only Algeria and Niger seems amiss even if they have superior topography to the wilder domains of Mauri'.

Ever since I first began research on the Sahara and this took me to the journals of Heinrich Barth and Gustav Nachtagel with their travels in the 1870's there seems to have been a dearth of Westerners in the ranges of Ennedi and Tibesti. I recollect the Mercedes story, leaving Faya on a Friday and of course Ginge Fullen climbing Emi Koussi the highest peak in the Sahara, but little else.

There is a natural fixation for Western overlanders and 4x4 raiders to think only in terms of what is directly reachable from the coast of the Maghreb, and naturally, Tchad is somewhat distant. I suppose the other limiting factor is that whilst we are slaves to the machine of Mammon, with spouses, sprogs, mortgages, and elderly parents, such epics as achieved by our 19th Century heroes, plus more latterly Thesiger and the intrepid Fullen can only illuminate our dreams.

Africa is being carved up once again, especially by the Chinese, for all the natural resources. So long as there is also not the concomitant development there will be security vacuums and pockets of terrorism. The desert is almost impossible to police. Governments awash with mineral profits do not need tourists presenting themselves as targets. We dream.....

My perspective is now different; I go to work in Africa, to settle, and eventually retire there. For most others, the Sahara is a place to visit as it has been for me for a decade. Why? Most folk are just visitors, they may be especially adventurous, as with your crossing of the Djouf - a rivetting read on the S-Files if ever there was one! - , but they go home. Often adding nothing. It is a great indulgence and sometimes insulting. As became the case with the Paris-Dakar.

I think many Africans see Western tourists as just another aspect of colonialism - and that in turn is not simply Europeans but many others from the Beni Hilal and Beni Hassan to the Chinese and Brazilians today.

The Bir Moghrein route may live with me for the rest of my days passing as it does through the Adrar, where I am buying a home. Who knows, perhaps we shall see a resolution of the Western Sahara impasse with perhaps a degree of autonomy and self-determination and consequential peace and prosperity, plus yet another border crossing into Mauri' - in my lifetime, and yours Chris! Insha'Allah.

Probably more a reference document for most, unless you are interested in the Machiavellian machinations that eventually evidence on the ground. I mean the ground where Chris has recently trod, and others may choose to visit. I'll be living there, insha'Allah.

https://httpsahel-elite.com/2018/11/...across-africa/

What has Algeria to offer Mauretania, except for oil, corruption and instability?
Nothing, really.
OTOH, there are 150 Moroccan trucks racing down to Nouakchott and beyond every single day now. They make up a lot of the traffic on the Route de Noadibou.

Algeria has been using the Polisario for decades to exert some influence in the Western Sahara. Now they are falling behind as Morocco is extending its power through AU membership, banking, trade, investing all over Africa. Something will change in the not so distant future - look at Ethiopia/Eritrea - although it may not be as peaceful.
The author is mistaken when he is suggesting that Algeria would assume responsibility for north African security - the Algerians have refused to act beyond their borders since independence, and they still do. When asked to cooperate in resolving the Mali crisis, they refused to come to talks or collaborate in any way where every other country and political entity in the region was present. From the Security Council.
http://www.un.org/ga/search/view_doc...=%20S/2018/581
page 4:
"5. In addition to its visits to Mali, the Panel also visited Belgium, Burkina Faso,
France, Mauritania, the Netherlands and the Niger. Visits proposed by the Panel to
Algeria in April and June were not accommodated."

That's a marvellous move, Bud, Atar has much to offer. I realized you can use it as a base and make excursions for many months going on new tracks every day, just in the vicinity.

I have been offered, and accepted, a post as National Director of an NGO focussed upon durable development. Initially, this will be largely based in NKC with increasing visits to projects "en brousse". Eventually, I hope to back off from day-to-day work, continue with some project visiting, proposal and report writing, but retire to Chinguetti, where I am buying my home. Atar is merely a place to go for stuff not available in Chinguetti, I have never really fallen for the place. Doubtless, I shall have an increasing amount of time for exploratory forays on the pistes of the Adrar, and there shall be zrig, dates, and tea awaiting you should you be passing ;) I am also in no doubt that should you simply ask for the Englishman, I will be found!
Zoubir el Inglizi

After some checking and rechecking it seems the border is only open for commercial traffic.

Maybe this : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ixQBHg46Cs (note that the video comes from a hostile moroccan media)

I thought this was a given from earlier in this thread? iirc there was also an earlier thread remarkably similar. Perhaps the moderator could merge/clarify/comment/ or ignore!

Commercial traffic is still traffic, an open border, and certainly infinitely better than the adjacent Maroc - Alg border. So a positive development.

I assumed burden was able to confirm what I was only speculating on.
So now we know.

Over a year old now but possibly of interest:-

Ouverture de la route Choum -Tindouf : Une revendication pressante des Mauritaniens du Nord Est | Adrar Info

Since it is, allegedly, the season of good cheer, I indulge your latitude as this item is neither about the new border or specifically road transit but the opening up in certain terms of the north of RIM.

When the President of the National Assembly - like the Speaker of the House in the UK House of Commons, a person not without considerable power in certain circumstances - deigns to post a selfie, we can be sure this is no trifling matter. These folk mean business, and perhaps more specifically business with Algeria.

Ould Baya écrit : Un boing 737 à l’aéroport de Bir Oum Ghrein , une premiére !!! (tweet) | Adrar Info

The background to this can be traced to an earlier article about seven weeks ago:-

A propos de la zone franche de Bir Oum Ghrein | Adrar Info

It may be noted that afaik the only consistent regular service of internal flights is currently between NKC and Nouadibhou so it may be some time before we have regular touchdowns of a 737 (looks like a relatively new 800 series btw) between say Bir Moghrein and NKC or Atar.

Salaam, Zoubir.

It appears that the president has personal business interests he is promoting in the north.
Trying also to establish some govermental control over a territory where smugglers now run free.

Mauretania is a huge Free Trade Zone. Astonishingly I find Toyota parts cheaper in Nouakchott than anywhere else. Will it last?

Small update: a friend of mine met an elderly french couple in a camping in Agadir who were returning from their trip France - Oran - Tindouf (Alg) - Bir Mogrein (Mrt) - Fdeirik - Choum - Bou Lanouar - Nouadhibou. In a Hymermobil!!! So open to all after all :)

I take it they trained into NDB from some point, but that would be a great road trip.
Not been done for decades. I hope there's no catch or that it's not a one-off.
You occasionally get these fluke 'honeymoon period' cross-border transits in the Sahara.
Eg: Djanet > Ghat or Bir Mogrein > Gueltat Zemour before rules harden.

Escorted through all of Alg or Tindouf one wonders?

Don't know whether they were escorted or not.

:eek3:


In the Spring 2017 the piste Zouerat - Bir Moghrein and up to the Algerian border (via Tifariti, Bir Lehlou - the main piste used by commercial traffic Alg-Mauri - only 6x6 and 8x8 camions used) was quite challenging to do with RWD MB Sprinter 308. Many locals we met were genuinely surprised when we met ... There was no trace of any road building activities N of Zouerat ... Mauritanians are not _that_ quick in building roads ... Choum - Bou Lanuar direct?


For now, I would allow myself a bit of doubt at least regarding the vehicle used ...

me too:innocent:
waiting for more news…
RR.

Any more news?
 

Any one heard anymore news on this new crossing and whether international travellers are getting through?

Thanks

Ed

Not open to tourists, like a lot of desert borders, and not likely to be.
The Hymer was a mirage or a one-off.

An intrepid mate is trying this from the north in the next couple of days.
Will be interesting to see if he makes it.

Ah-ha - without escort??

So far, yes.

Crossed into RIM today.
Some Germans did the same last week, so the idea is catching on.
Gendarmerie escort from Abadla (N6/N50 junction west of Bechar) to Tindouf.
Piste from border (below) to Zouerat, afaik.

Really good news Chris thanks for the feedback.

Do you know if they mentioned going to Tindouf on their visa application form? When we take groups we get a letter of invitation which details the itinerary, and I always thought mentioning Tindouf would cause issues?

As you say, Tindouf has been a restricted province since the Polisario war, certainly for tourists.
Maybe because of the proximity of the remote Morocco border, too.
https://sahara-overland.com/2016/08/...algerian-berm/

I doubt they mentioned Tindouf (no itinerary required on UK visa form; just place of stay) but being from NL, they needed no invite for a visa, just the form.
Even in Alg they didn't mention Tindouf until the very last checkpoint.
Plan B was to ship out of Oran (having come from Tunisia).
But no raised eyebrows at Abadla so Plan A worked.
And no bother with RIM visa at Hassi 75, south of Tindouf.
Which means exit via Tindouf ought not be a dirty word any more on Alg visa apps.
But will consulate staff have got the memo?

Hi Chris,
It sounds pretty good, no?
If it is possible to more precise infos, especially about getting the visa, it will be very interesting.
RR.

Depending on where you are from, the visa is as hit and miss as ever.
Right now I hear Brits and French who are part of larger tour groups are experiencing visa delays once submitted.

Same old story and I don't suppose it will be any different for this route which, I am told, is classified as the Grand Sud.

If an agency escort is required from the entry point, I would hope they could be left at Abadla.

I think gvdaa meaning Gerbert van der Aajust crossed
https://instagram.com/gvdaa?igshid=gw39mxs16j1

Chris already posted some info on my crossing from Algeria to Mauritania. Here's my report.

We crossed in october and were two people traveling in one car (35 year old Land Cruiser). We got our tourist visa in the Netherlands, without invitation. Reservations for hotel and plane, that we canceled afterwards, and some other easy documents (proof of sufficient money on my bank account, amongst others) were sufficient.

We entered Algeria from Tunisia, near Annaba. Formalities were easy, no searches. When we left the border Algerian gendarmes mentioned "escort", but when we said we did not need one, they let us go alone. We slowly drove to Alger, spending nights in Annaba, Constantine and Djemila. All wonderfull places. At checkpoints we sometimes had to stop, but always could continue alone.

After some days in Alger we drove to Chréa, and on to Aflou and Ain Sefra. Near the Moroccan border, on our way to Taghit, we were not allowed to continue alone for the first time. The gendarmerie wanted to escort us to Taghit, like they do with all tourists. We had to follow their Nissan Patrol, no money asked. Friendly guys. While waiting we talked to them about their life, and they gave us food.

From Taghit we were allowed to continue alone to Beni Abbes. Not far after Abadla we were escorted again, all the way to Tindouf. We had to do this stretch in one go (800 km), with only some short stops. We were not allowed to sleep along the way, and were put in a hotel in Tindouf late at night (that we had to pay ourselves). In Tindouf we were not free to move around for the first time. A policeguy was posted at the hotel lobby, and did not allow us to go out in the morning. Later that day we were escorted to the Mauritanian border. Formalities easy. Mauritanian visa available at the spot. From there we had to follow about 800 km of easy piste to Zouerate, that can also be done in 2WD (easier than the old Nouadibou-Nouakchott piste). We traveled alone on this piste, without guide or escort. Did not cross the Polisario Free Zone, as most Algerians seem to do, but used Mauritanian territory.

Many Algerian trucks now use this route - and some Algerian tourists. We met an Algerian guy on a motorbike, doing Alger-Dakar. We did not meet other westerners on the route, although the borderguards said some Germans passed before us. I did not get confirmation of their crossing in Atar or Zouerate.

We did not ask permission beforehand to do this crossing. When entering Algeria I had said we planned to take the ferry from Oran to Spain (which we in any case would have done when the Mauritania crossing hadn't materialised). I sometimes asked about the Mauritania-Algeria border in the north, but nobody seemed to be sure it was open for tourists. Luckily the gendarmes at Abadla and Taghit did not seem surprised when we showed up and mentioned our destination. They had to call their superiors to get approval for our passing, but this only took some waiting (one time 15 minutes, one time about two hours).

All together things went really smooth. One warning: when we came too close to the military camp at Ain Bin Tilli some shots were fired in the air. We thought we had to report there, but were supposed to stop at a couple of hundred meters from the gate. Later the military apologised. They thought we were Malian rebels, they said, as I drove a HJ60 Land Cruiser, which is very popular in Mali, but hardly used in Mauritania.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/9082927500/
www.vanderaa-publishing.com

Thanks for the report. Good tactics ;-)
Not surprised to hear one is locked down in Tindouf. Works both ways.

I think not needing an agency invite (CdH - for the visa) and escort, plus using a little-used tourist border into Alg all made it easier to slip in. And once you're in, you're in. The visa is the problem.
Once an agency is involved it goes up to some govt ministry to approve itinerary and then gets sent to [UK] consulate. Safer for some official down the line to say 'no' to something new (but much depends on nationality.)
Don't mind having to cough up for an agency escort from Oran, for example but one agency I tried claimed permission was denied. Not convinced; I am trying others.
I thought about trying a hotel booking / cancel for an agency-dodging visa but was pretty sure we could not leave Oran without an escort.
I also wonder what would happen if one's consulate got wind of such moves (well known for Alg). Might jeopardise further visits.

Free army escort I don't mind I suppose; agency $$$ might get problematical organised on the hoof in Oran.

Algeria > Mauritania
 

Thanks for sharing your infos!

„One warning: when we came too close to the military camp at Ain Bin Tilli some shots were fired in the air. We thought we had to report there, but were supposed to stop at a couple of hundred meters from the gate. Later the military apologised. They thought we were Malian rebels, they said, as I drove a HJ60 Land Cruiser, which is very popular in Mali, but hardly used in Mauritania.“

We made the same experience in front of the military Fort El Ghallaouyia
coming from the east, direction of Mali.
Also a few hundred meters away from the military post in Laqiya Arbain – better so stop or to
drive very slowly in front of these control posts !

Ursula

Hi,
Very interesting report, good news it's possible to enter with your own car from Tunisia without invitation, nor escort...I have just a question...
You said:
"We slowly drove to Alger, spending nights in Annaba, Constantine and Djemila. "
I suppose you slept in hotels (no bivouacs allowed in northern Algeria?)
So where was your first bivouac?

Thanks again,

RR.

Better not try a bivouac in Algeria, I think. Police may not like it, and give you a compulsory escort for the rest of the trip. Our first bivouac was in Mauritania!

Hi Gerbert
nice trip bier
Independent tourism making a slow comeback
So you entered Algeria at the northernmost crossing Tabarka - El Khala?
Once you're in you're in
Then you can move about rather freely with some diligence.
You drove over 1500 kms in the north before having to take an escort.
Then the trip is worthwhile.
Did they make you drive 800 kms nonstop?
I think you can make bivouac if you ask the police
Maure military will shoot yes
have hd some close encounters when they were startled
one was on the beach
even the president got shot so noone is safe really

Thanks for your answers.
And do you think it's , after Taghit, to go to Beni Abbes then Timimoun without escort nor guide?
RR.

Sorry:
And do you think it's possible, after Taghit, to go to Beni Abbes then Timimoun without escort nor guide?
RR.

For those heading this way just be aware of this article about the Tindouf area:
https://www.observalgerie.com/politi...NiqdBuT9wg4TsE

further to Daves post,

https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/201...SQ0_I1v_X2Oijk

There are some Norwegians in Algeria at the moment heading Tindouf way. No updates from them the last few days

Jon Eirik is alive and back online after being holed up in Tamanrasset after some visa confusion. Dont think they even could drive around in town, and no Assekrem.
Now in Timimoun.
https://www.facebook.com/Afrikatur-2...7621287309114/

This thread is about the newly opened DZ-RIM border crossing, not Morocco.
Those posts relocated here.

I see our Norwegian chum has lately arrived in Tindouf.
Below is a shortened online translation.
You imagine his next post will be deep in RIM.
They're in a TLC with a trailer which looks like it was giving the usual trailer problems. And he is heading trans-Africa?
The old Transsaharienne bus in Camping Dassine (Tam) is looking ever more weather-worn.

Even if the Abada escort is a faff, it's a small price to pay if you have something against Atlantic Route.
To do this route seems to me the crux is the Alg visa. Once you're in, you're in.
Brits (for example) need an invite/escort etc.
No reply yet from a second (southern) agency I asked. (First one said ministry permission denied).
I do wonder if post election, govt has put the brakes on a bit.
Norwayman got in before election.
As usual with Alg, who knows.

Abadla to Tindouf
We had been asked the night before when we were leaving Abadla. We had said 10 o'clock. So about 10 o'clock we were ready. But no escort had appeared. …at 12 o'clock, and the escort had not yet appeared, we became even more annoyed...=
After a while, the escort arrived. So then we just said that we started driving …. we had to explain that we couldn't drive very fast, that we camped, …. they said it was somewhere about 200 km from Abadla where we could camp in safety. So we agreed to drive there....This place turned out to be right at a gendarmerie checkpoint.... The next morning the escort was ready …. We felt that 300 km was a bit much, so we arrived at the campsite about 3 pm. This was also right at a gendarmerie checkpoint.... On the third day we had almost 300 km left to Tindouf. It's a bit more than I like to drive in a day, but we got off early and the road was good quality, so the speed was usable. I also suspected that we would not be allowed to camp in Tindouf, but would be forced to stay in a hotel. And then arriving late would not be as big a problem.... This turned out to be correct. When we arrived at Tindouf we asked if we could camp, but after the gendarmerist had taken some phones, he could say that it was not possible… So we stayed in a cheap hotel..

The Norwegians reports have been interesting to follow, (although sometimes FB's translation is a little weird). Not sure on their final destination but I don't think its trans Africa

Sounds like they'll try and cross today and the next update may be a few days before they can report again

Looks like Afrikatur has checked back in.
It looks like they cut across the PFZ via Bir Lehlou
See his FB page.

They arrived Bir Moghrein after more tussles with the military, both Algerian and Polisario.

If they didn't have a trailer their voyage would be better.
Doesn't sound like they are having much fun but they made it to Maure so well done.

Indeed well done to Jon and crew. They reported meeting another overlander on the same route and had confirmation at the Alg/Mauro border post of other who crossed recently.

They do seem to have a wonderfully naïve approach to the trip (no gps maps, vague paper maps and the useless maps.me app and that trailer!) but they've made it in one piece :D

Their constant bickering with the military is somewhat disturbing.
They don't understand that they are in a militarized zone and can't argue about everything.


How is it the touareg say

Le premier voyage c'est l'expérience

Le deuxième voyage c'est la richesse

I've thought the same reading their reports, now I've no experience in Algeria to speak from a knowledgeable point of view but they have, at times, appeared a little disrespectful in their comments.

New border
 

We recently crossed into Mauritania from Western Sahara, a Mauritanian immigration official overheard a conversation between me and a fellow overlander, he informed us that the border was open to tourists and that you could get your Mauritanian visa on the border.

Two weeks later we met a Swiss couple in a Landcruiser 79 series with a camper on the back in Kiffa, and they had driven this route themselves. They told us no escorts in Algeria and crossed with no problems except some small issue with one Algerian official. The drive from the border to zouerat took eight hours I think.

Hope this helps

Another lucky nationality which can dodge the DZ escort requirements.
Not Brits, afaik. Was just told by an agency that northbound we'd need their escorts right at Tindouf border + the army one from there to Abadla.

8 hours for 1000km of piste is pretty good going ;-)
Though I noted some Dakar cars yesterday averaged 120kph, including half a day of dunes 8-/

Just got a call from Jon Eirik in Nouakchott. They are well and parking the trailer while they continue south. Original plan was Ghana but Algeria took so long they will probably settle for Bissau.

From what I have just been researching about West Af the last few days, if avoiding Mali completely (as some are doing) the countries in that SW corner are especially tough with a trailer.
Spot the car in the picture.
But looks like they popped in to the Shackleton on the way down.

Yeh that would be a challenge for sure :D

I have only ever seen a few trailers in WA, for good reason.
Like this outfit, in Western Sahara, and then again in Bamako
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/1f...=w1508-h810-no

Algeria - Mauritania via Tindouf
 

I just stumbled over this trip report, in German, from December 2019
Afrika2019-20

Summary (translation):
1. part: Algerien, West coast, Alger - Oran, Region Taghit and Timimoune, Tindouf, border PK 75
04.12. - 27.12.2019
2. part: Mauretanien, from Mauritanian boarder PK 75 (south Tidouf) nach Atar, to army post Ain Ben Tili, Bir Mogrein, Zouérat, Ben Amira (Choum) and Atar
27.12. to 31.12.2019

Yves

And all without an agency escort in DZ, plus they even dodged the army escort to Tindouf.
Just like it was for all in the 1980s...

Their Acacia Adventure may be a good contact, as nothing much has come of the agencies I've contacted.

They met the Norwegians who got lost and ended up taken to Ain Ben Tili.

great to read another report on the route.

Getting very tempting for me now, maybe 2021

Tindouf Border
 

Recent Tindouf border passage documented via blog...

Afrika2019-20-2Partie

Gerbert's article
https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2020/01/30...corte-a3988613

Land yachts followed this route, more or less, in 1967.
More here:
https://sahara-overland.com/2020/02/...g-sahara-1967/

Hello, everyone. I am relatively new to trans-African travel, and I am interested in traveling from Spain to West Africa via Algeria next year. All of you who have crossed the Algeria-Mauritania border have apparently done so with your own vehicle. As I do not own a vehicle and plan to travel mostly with public transport and hitchhiking, will this be possible for me? Lots of people hitchhike from Morocco to Mauritania, so I would think it would be possible to hitchhike from Algeria to Mauritania. What do you guys think?

The problem is to travel in desert Algeria without an escort.
This is usually needed to get your visa, but some get round it.
Then you need to get on a bus to Tindouf without raising alarm.
Then in Tindouf the police normally put foreigners in a hotel for safe keeping.
Foreigners can't just wander around Tindouf, afaik.
It has been a restricted province since the Polisario war, certainly for tourists.

The border crossing itself is 70km away in the desert.
Anything is possible but I can't see hitching being made easy in Alg.
And even less likely a bus service from Tindouf to Zouerate starting up.
So have your ride out of Algeria in to RIM organised in advance.
Or stick to the much easier Atlantic route.

This all assumes borders reopen.
According to published stats, Covid appears to have had a tiny effect in Africa compared to Europe.
In Morocco < 200 dead they say. Similar in Alg.
But we are told this could be the calm before the storm, especially in sub-Sahara.

Algerian gendarmes wouldn't know what to do with a european hitchhiker for sure
but they would probably find a way

SARS2 does not spread locally in Africa, at least not in warm and certainly not in dry areas
For some reason this is not reported, 'they' like to spread fear in Africa
Nouakchott 8 cases 1 dead - but a curfew every night and the grand marché closed
crazy

Thanks for your input. Although nobody has hitchhiked this route, I'd be willing to give it a try. Another thing to note is that I am a US citizen, whereas most foreigners who travel in this region are Europeans. Would this affect my chances of successfully crossing the border or traveling in Algeria in general?

Algeria is not like most other countries: think Iran, N Korea, parts of Myanmar. Tourists can't roam around unescorted.
So it will depend on whether you need/choose to organise an escort/guide in a car, border to border - no problem wherever you're from (bar Israel), but expensive.

Without one, expect delays in Alg, more because the hats fear for their jobs if you get in trouble or are caught where you ought not be, unescorted.
It will help greatly if you speak French or Arabic to talk your way through.

In RIM no probs: get a visa at Hassi 75.

In my experience Americans have an easier time getting visas (in DC) than Brits.
But that was year ago.

This is probably a naive question, but how would the Algerian government know what parts of the country you travel to? I mean, once you're in, you're in, right? I've heard it's really regulated. Can't you just discretely hop on a train or bus and visit just about any city or town you choose? Or are there numerous checkpoints where they ask for your passport? I've been to Morocco and Egypt and have only had to show my passport a couple of times, though I suppose Algeria might be more strict.

Once you're in you're in is true but as said, Alg is nothing like those countries.
If it was we'd all be bombing around there like in the good old days.

See https://sahara-overland.com/algeria-3/

The proscribed Grand Sud more or less represents what is not the yellow area of the French map below.

There will be roadside checkpoints checking ID and who will turn a foreigner back without an escort, including (in my experience) checking bus passengers.
Sneak by and subsequent checkpoints will nab you.

And Tindouf area is on another level. No one could get there for half a century, unless in a 'peace convoy' with Polisario aid.

Just last week the Algies held a live ammo army exercise near Tindouf - presumably to remind the Moroccans they mean business.

What Algies really don't want is an American hitchhiker being kidnapped/sold by some renegade troupe of jihadis and spirited over the border into nearby Mali.
See: https://sahara-overland.com/kidnappings

That is why the county has reacted so strongly in suppressing independent tourism. It's a shame, but that's the way it is since 2003 or so.

Well, on the bright side, at least it's not overrun with tourists like Morocco, Tunisia, and Egypt. The benefit of being strict with regards to tourism means that they should have a purer culture as they haven't resorted to exploiting it for monetary gain.

The real reason they don't need the bother of tourism is because, unlike the other places you mention, this huge country has loads of gas, oil and other minerals.
Plus an old and corrupt post-independence regime which is extremely reluctant to loosen the reins.

@Chris Scott
Tsa website is not updating the black market rate anymore,
however, there is a specialized website for this:

https://devisesquare.com/#USD

Not only that, but we have different mentalities, different values and a totally different history.

Not really, only the southern part is like that and for a good reason.
The problem with foreign tourists is that if they get kidnapped by terrorists Algerians are blamed and if the authorities enforce escort for them Algerians are still blamed ... I guess whatever Algerians do, they will be criticized.
The cost of escorting tourists outweighs any insignificant income they may provide.

Hi everyone! Very interesting reading the thread about this border crossing. First post for me here so excuse me for maybe asking something stupid but where exactly is this so called "Hassi 75" where you can get the Mauritania visa? Would you happen to have the coordinates Chris? After a month long trip last year in Algeria i might want to attempt this crossing in 2021 if things open up again.

'Hassi 75' probably means a well 75km from Tindouf in the middle of nowhere.
It is where you do RIM formalities.
Hope to do it myself next winter.

More here:
https://sahara-overland.com/routes
and here
https://sahara-overland.com/mauritania/

https://saharaoverland.files.wordpre...-rim-bor-1.jpg

Thank you very much for clarifying!

I am also planning on trying this this year, maybe late summer/early autumn. Mauritania has been open for several months now, but Algeria is still as closed as it was in March.

Also interested!
 

Hi everyone! I am pretty new here.
We are also interested in driving with our 4x4 all the way from Algeria to South Africa in 2022. Would love to go Algeria-Mauritania, via Bir Mogrein route. Anyone with his own car interested in crossing the Sahara as a group? We intend to do this in January 2022.
Thanks!

[QUOTE=Chris Scott;616769]'Hassi 75' probably means a well 75km from Tindouf in the middle of nowhere.
It is where you do RIM formalities.
Hope to do it myself next winter.

hello

this is also valid if you are traveling south to north? This would be the point to make the RIM formalities when leaving Mauritania?

Yes, I suppose so.

I just read about the 3 Algerian truckers who were killed – by Moroccan drone strike? – while travelling this route, supposedly from NKT to Ouargla.

https://www.france24.com/en/africa/2...-truck-drivers

https://www.africanews.com/2021/11/0...ruck-drivers//

https://twitter.com/il_kanguru/statu...17759317389312

The fact that they were killed near Bir Lahlou (~50km south of the Berm) while crossing the northern segment of the PFZ – a commonly used short-cut between Ait Ben Tili (RIM) to Tindouf (Alg), underlines that fact that tourists would do better to avoid this PFZ crossing in either direction and take the long way round via the corner of the PFZ, staying in RIM all the way to or from Alg.

This of course supposes that we'll be able to do this route any time soon.
Tensions were on the rise between Alg and Mk even before this event.

https://sahara-overland.com/mauritania/

So, any recent updates on this border? Is it possible to cross at this moment? We are looking at this route as an alternative way to get from Morocco to Europe (and because we would love doing the route in any case :-) )

No one has done it South to North yet, but in the Facebook groups there are a few talking about trying in both directions over the next few months.

1 planning a southbound route has just been told his visa is granted.

Algeria seems to require a PCR test of max 3 days old for entry. This is also the case one the recently reopened land border to Tunisia. This mogjt be logistically impossible for the Tindouf crossing?

TheWarden: which Facebook groups?

I bet you can get a PCR in Zouerat and imagine you could arrive at Hassi 75 on the 3rd day without rushing too much.
Plus I like to think they would give you some slack if you were a bit late, seeing as it's desert all the way.
Have you taken into account the escort/CdH requirement for DZ, or with your nationality is it possible to get a visa without?

As of a few months ago it was possible to get a PCR in Zouerat near to the Bank for International Trade (BMCI) - they will know where. Done in a couple of hours maximum, if not sooner. I would like to think Algerian immigration would not be too much of a problem if it was a little late but better to not test luck...!

To clarify, I did not use PCR test or know what the story is with the border crossing as of now, but the PCR is definitely offered in Zouerate as of a couple of months ago.

Overlanding West Africa and Morocco, theres some folks stuck in Morocco looking at it as a possible route back to Europe (a risky exercise as crossing into Mauritania is a one way deal at them moment).

Then there are a few looking to head south over the next few months via Tindouf. 1 is near departure date I believe but every thing is a little vague on if its possible to cross at the moment.

The first travellers trying the south bound since 2019 route depart in a few days. Visas have been granted and their submitted itinerary detailed crossing the border to Mauritania at Tindouf.

Another group are planning a March departure

Thanks for update.
Do you know their nationality and whether they have had to organise an agency escort from the Med port?

Hi Chris,

Spanish nationals I believe, travelling on bikes. They've not mentioned the need for an escort

More turning up on this route.

1 French couple on the ferry to Algeria today heading to Mauritania and another party planning to try from the south.

So far theres
1 French - on route
1 Spanish - starts in a few days
1 Romanian - starts March

And 2 potential attempts to head north into Algeria from Mauritania.

Quite a lot of finger crossing by some and unknowns about COVID requirements, any issues with the tense situation in the Tindouf region and also vague news that the Mauritanians may have tightened up on access to the NE of the country.

Its going to be interesting to see how they all get on

"And 2 potential attempts to head north into Algeria from Mauritania."

any info on these ones?

Not yet they are still planning

The French (actually 1 French and 1 Belgium) report they needed a hotel reservation for the visa application, no guide. They made it very clear on the application and on arrival in country that they plan to leave via Tindouf. On arrival the Algerians just gave them a load of advice about being properly equipped for the desert

PCR test 36 hours before departure and antigen test on arrival were required. This may complicate things for those thinking of the route north.

French have arrived in Tindouf and managed to avoid an escort.

The Algerians have told them they need a letter of authorisation to enter Mauritania but nobody seems to know where to get it.

They have also reported some Spanish crossed last week

Thanks for update.

Do I take it they managed to dodge the free but fast military escort from Abadla checkpoint (near Bechar), as this is the start of the military zone to Tindouf. (As well as dodging a 'guide' from the port).

I wonder if the Spanish were the bikers you mentioned.
Would be quite a reach without a support vehicle.