Mauretania, Mali, Algeria
 

Is there anybody who has been to Mauretania actually? The Michelin-Map shows a track leading from the greater area of Atar towards Tidjika. Is it possible to go there by 4x4? Which conditions I will find? And: Is there any chance to go further from Tichit to Oualata? What about safty in the south-east-region/border to Mali?
Second question: Is there any experience about immigration from Niger to Algeria via Assamaka or from Mali (Gao) to Algeria (Reggane)? I know about the regulations of guiding in Algeria, but I ask myself, how the Algeriens will act if I arrive from the south?

Mauritania, Mali Niger
 

Yep, I was there in march. Everything is possible if you are well prepared. The route from Atar towards Tidjika are considered difficult, both in driving (loose sand) and navigation (did not do it myself). You will need to carry a lot of fuel and water, specially if you also consider going on to Oualata. From Tidjika there are also a route south, dow to the main road, but even this will take time. I drove almost half of it from the south, fully loaded single mc, but decided to return after a puncture and strugling with to much loose sand. Someone told me about a 4X4 who acctually spend 10 days with a lot of digging :-) on this 250 - 300 k stretch

I went from Gao to Niamey, no problems at the border, and north to Agadez. The "road" stops in Arlit, and from there its almost straight west to Assamakka. North Mali are considered "not safe", and of course the new development in North Niger has to be followed carefully.

Happy trip!

Cheers
Haakon

Atar-Tidjikja is a nice route and not too difficult (I did it alone and did not get stuck, it was in late 2005). Allow 2-3 days for this route (about 400 km). Most difficult for me was finding the start of the piste in Atar side, after that it was just following it. Note that Sahara Overland book route R10 waypoint coordinates have some serious typing errors (p.483 - Route R10 - The waypoints from KM32 to KM202 should all read W12 (not W11, as written))

You can see some pics from the route at my web site. If there is interest I can upload my GPS track for this route.