I recommend Morocco as a first trip more because it is psychologically and techicnally easier than Algeria and cheaper to get to, although as Kitmax found, floods off the Atlas can make pistes challenging - rarely a problem in Alg.
For Maroc no visa, less culture shock (also more hassle), short piste distances, easier to get home. But going straight into Tunisia and Algeria wont freak you out too much - Tunisia is an easy intro. Algerians are at least as friendly as the Moroccans and no hassle at all. You can drive to Djanet all the way on tarmac (1500km), exploring off road if you like, meet others in town and do the piste to Tam and then on Niger, again with others.
Jump in the deep end - it will be a great adventure.
Morocco is great but it is not the real Sahara - and the Atlantic Route is relatively unsatisfying
Chris S
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