Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB - Algeria Early Febuary South to North

Here is the UK government's guidelines and advice for visits to Algeria for JANUARY 2008 -

We advise against all but essential travel to the administrative districts (wilayas) of Boumerdès, Tizi Ouzou and Bejaia, which are east of Algiers and Blida, Medéa and Ain Defla, which are south west of Algiers. You should make journeys within Algeria by air where possible.
The high threat from terrorism in Algeria remains. In 2007 there were a number of bomb attacks in Algeria. There were two explosions in central Algiers on 11 December 2007, causing over 30 fatalities. Foreigners have been targeted by terrorists. You should exercise extreme caution at all times as terrorist attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers such as restaurants, hotels and shopping centres. See the Terrorism seciton of this advice for more details.
If you intend to travel to Algeria in the immediate future you should review thoroughly information on the local situation, take full precautions for your personal security arrangements throughout your visit, and follow local advice.
We recommend that you vary unavoidable travel, hcanging the timings and routes of regular journeys where possible. You should continue to check this advice regularly for updates and see the Terrorism section of this advice for more details.
If you decide to travel over land outside the major cities you should avoid doing so at night. Sustained small-scale attacks, including bombings, illegal roadblocks, kidnapping and murder, occur in many rural parts of the country. See the Crime and Local Travel sections of this advice for more details.
The main type of incident for which British nationals required consular assistance in Algeria in 2007 was as victims of crime, particularly in urban areas. Howdver, child abduction is also common. See the Crime section of this advice and Child Abduction for more details.
We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. See the General (Insurance) section of this advice and Travel Insurance for more details.

SAFETY AND SECURITY

Terrorism

The high threat from terrorism in Algeria remains. You should exercise extreme caution at all times as terrorist attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers such as restaurants, hotels and shopping centres.

We advise against all but essential travel to the administrative districts (wilayas) of Bourmerdès, Tizi Ouzou and Bejaia (east of Algiers) and Blida, Medéa and Ain Defla (south west of Algiers). Journeys within Algeria should be made by air where possible. If you intend to visit Algeria, you should check this advice regularly for the latest security advice.

If you intend to travel to Algeria in the immediate future you should review thoroughly information on the local situation, take full precautions for your personal security arrangements throughout your visit, and follow local advice.

If you are in Algeria, you should exercise extreme caution at all times.

There were two bombs in central Algiers on the morning of 11 December. These occurred near the Supreme Court building in El Biar, central Algiers, and in the Sidi Yahya area of Hydra, Algiers. There have been a number of fatalities, with many more injured. The attacks were claimed by Al Qa'ida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQ-M), a name adopted by Algerian terrorist group the Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC) in January 2007)

The other most significant recent incidents have been:

On 21 September 2007, a bomb attack in Bouira injured at least nine people, including two French nationals and one Italian national.
On 8 September 2007, a car bomb targeted the naval barracks in Dellys, 70km east of Algiers, killing at least 28 people and injuring over 60.
On 6 September 2007, a bomb attack occurred amongst a crowd gathered outside a mosque in the wilaya of Batna, killing 20 people and injuring around 100.
On 11 July 2007, a bomb attack occurred near a military barracks in Lakhdaria in the wilaya of Bouira killing at least eight soldiers and injuring more than 20.
On 11 April 2007, three bomb attacks occurred in Algiers at two separate locations, killing 33 people and injuring over 100 others. One car bomb exploded near the offices of the Prime Minister and Interior Minister in the centre of Algiers. Two further bomb attacks took place in the district of Bab Ezzaour, close to a police station. The attacks were also claimed by AQ-M

Foreign workers and their means of transport have also been targets for attacks. In the last year there have been at least three roadside bomb attacks on vehicles carrying foreign workers, which have resulted in six deaths and several injuries.

The Sahara Desert and mountainous regions in the south of the country have not normally been subject to terrorist violence, but the abduction of a group of unaccompanied foreign tourists there in early 2003 underlined the potential risk to travellers in the region. We therefore advise caution when travelling to the south eastern wilayas of Tamanrasset and Illizi and recommend that you travel with a reputable tour company or an approved local guide.

You should also exercise caution when travelling in the area close to the border with Mauritania and Mali. Incidents have shown that there is an increased risk of terrorist attacks, banditry and kidnapping in these areas.

We recommend varying unavoidable travel, changing the timings and routes of regular journeys where possible. For more information see Security and General Tips and Risk of Terrorism when Travelling Overseas.

Crime

Most visits to Algeria are trouble-free. In certain areas of larger cities there are incidents of robbery (muggings), bag snatching, pick-pocketing and thefts of and from motor vehicles. There have been reports of car-jackings and robberies and thefts by criminals posing as police officers outside the main cities. You should avoid areas that you do not know, especially after dark. Do not carry large amounts of money or valuables around with you.

You should employ the services of a recommended local guide if you plan to tour the Casbah area of Algiers, and ensure local police have been informed of your plans. For more general advice see: Victims of Crime Abroad

Political Situation

Algeria Country Profile

You should take sensible precautions for your personal safety and avoid political gatherings and demonstrations.

LOCAL TRAVEL

If you are travelling to Algeria you should seek the advice of your hosts about appropriate security measures. You should arrange to be met on arrival in Algiers and should stay at one of the main hotels that take proper security precautions.

You should, where possible, make journeys by air and stay in pre arranged accommodation at your destination. Business visitors without established contacts should seek advice in the first instance from the British Embassy, Algiers or the Algeria desk in UK Trade and Investment.

Road Travel

If you want to drive a car you will need to obtain a local permit. You should not use public transport other than taxis recommended by your hotel. Overland travel outside major cities should be avoided at night, as buses and other vehicles have been attacked, sometimes at illegal vehicle checkpoints.

For more general information see Driving Abroad.

Air Travel

It is good practice to re-confirm flights to, from or within Algeria.