Return to Tassili N'Ajjer (Algeria)

Don’t forget—unless recent laws have changed—that the entire region, including Hoggar, Tassili, Djanet, and Tamanrasset, is off-limits for solo travel, whether you're on foot or with a personal vehicle. Visits are only allowed when properly supervised by a military or police escort, so you’ll need to arrange this in advance or go through a tour operator, who will also be closely escorted. All independent travel, with full freedom, is prohibited. Good luck!

What you're saying is false: we spent 10 days around Djanet in December 2024 and I didn’t see any police escort... nowhere, with no group of travelers. It’s only between Tamanrasset Airport and the city of Tamanrasset that we had this escort. Where did you get this information? Have you just returned from the Algerian Sahara? Be careful not to spread misinformation......

After multiple transactions with the Bordeaux consulate agent, I was only able to obtain a one-month visa for my trip spanning November and December 2023, instead of the three months I requested. I should mention that for all the countries I’ve visited, I’ve never used a "tour operator" and have always traveled independently—either with my own vehicle throughout Europe (including Ukraine, and even two months in Iceland in a 2CV Citroën in 1965), or by renting a vehicle, or more rarely by public transport. When I applied for the visa, the clerk at the Bordeaux consulate clearly outlined the rules for independent travel with my own vehicle (for 35 years, it’s been the same little VW Transporter T3 camper, my avatar). First, a day-by-day breakdown of each stage with proof of paid hotel reservations, which would have been impossible for me since I almost never know exactly where I’ll end up in the evening—it depends on the wind, encounters, etc. ... Luckily, I have a Kabyle friend as a neighbor who provided me with an accommodation certificate, and I managed to get my visa—but only for one month, even though I’d requested three. I was able to visit only the northern third of Algeria (due to lack of time), from the Moroccan border to the Tunisian one, without following this law (precise itinerary) and by "bending the rules" thanks to tips on how to bypass them. Over the course of this month-long trip, covering about 5,000 km, I was only checked three times. As for my "claims" about the entire southern region—Tamanrasset, Djanet, Hoggar, Tassili, etc.—they’re simply what the passport officer at the Algerian consulate in Bordeaux told me. No visa for independent travelers in this area, except for those on organized tours, and he made it clear that there would ALWAYS be supervision—a minimum of a guide (probably some kind of security agent?), a gendarme, police officer, or military personnel—and at my expense (food, accommodation, etc.). Not an option for me. I’m not in the habit of making things up, and your judgment of my statements might be a bit malicious, but I’ll let it slide. I’d advise you to go to the consulate to verify what I’ve said, unless there are new, more flexible laws—which I highly doubt. Could you also kindly tell me what methods you’ve used to travel to this region of Algeria? I’m heading back this year and, given my know-how for wandering just about anywhere, I plan to at least cover the Central Third (south of Béchar, Timimoun, etc.) and push toward the Southeast and that stunning region. Véra béné.

Hi there, What you're saying is partly true for people traveling with their own car, even if it's not the case for the military escort. If you come with your own vehicle all the way to Djanet, you should be able to get there without any issues (we talked to bikers who did it from Algiers), though you’ll pass through a few checkpoints. However, to go into the Tadrart, you’ll need to be accompanied by a guide with their 4×4, just like everyone else ;) But there’s really no military escort in that area—at least not so far. The situation in Tamanrasset is different because the region is less secure.

By the way, we still travel mostly by public transport or car rental in Europe, but sometimes, like during treks to remote places or in the Tadrart, we obviously have to hire a guide. We also need to consider Franco-Algerian relations, which have been deteriorating since November 2024—will the visa-on-arrival for French travelers in southern Algeria still be available in the future?

Okay, and thanks for these really useful details. For the past fifteen years or so, I’ve mostly spent my winters traveling all over—especially Morocco, crisscrossing it in every direction; Mauritania; and Senegal. The info about motorcyclists confirms that I can indeed do what I want, wandering around like last time, while still respecting road checks just like in Morocco, which was my plan. You didn’t mention what method you used for this trip.

Okay, and thanks again for your replies.

What you're saying is false ....Be careful not to spout nonsense......

No, he's right. What's with this tone?

Hey, Your camper van reminds me of 9 months in West Africa with the same vehicle, though that was a while ago (2007).🙂. We actually wanted to head back through Algeria but never got past Niger because of the Tuareg rebellion in the north. I’ve always wanted to ride through Algeria by motorcycle, but the paperwork, France-Algeria relations, and uncertainty about accessible and secure zones discouraged me. You hear all kinds of things about the possibility of traveling to the south with your own vehicle. I’m really interested in your experience!

My experience was solely based on the fact that I could only get my visa for myself and my VW with an Accommodation Certificate from an Algerian living in Algeria. Unfortunately, it was limited to 1 month, so it was clear I’d have to stay for the entire duration of the visa. Another VW van traveler gave me the tip. Once I arrived, there were very few road checks—something I can confirm—and each time, no issues with the Accommodation Certificate. So I traveled around the northern third of the country for a month. I was also able to camp in my VW almost every night.

you still bring some elements, including the possibility of bivouacking and the lack of control

Hi there,

I rode my motorcycle through the northeastern quarter of Algeria (as far as Ghardaïa) in April 2023.

I can confirm what Lagardevicto said about police checks and the possibility of wild camping.

For my visa, I dealt with the consulate in Grenoble, and they didn’t ask me any questions about my itinerary. Given the recent events, things may have changed since then.

Eric

Absolutely!!! I think the officer at the passport counter makes up their own rules, as is often the case in the Maghreb with pretty much all authorities (police, gendarmerie, mokadem, etc.). Based on over 15 years of experience with every stay (always at least 3 months). It’s part of the charm of these countries!!