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[Meph]

Well, I might be going there for a little wintertrip, 1-2 months, but when I check online the travel recommendation is rather negative. But then again I did travel through Somalia and Darfur at the time of crisis, so it cant be that bad...

Question: Does anyone here have first hand info, has been there recently, or knows someone who has?

[IamanElfCollaborator]

I know someone who's been to Tunisia, I think. I'll have to get back to you on that one, I can't remember exactly if he did.

[Ancre]

I've been to Algeria. It's a nice place, but it's not foreigner friendly at all. Quite a nightmare to get in, and then quite a nightmare to get around too. If you have been through Somalia and Darfur you should be fine though.

[Phmcw]

I've been in Tunisia pre revolution, and it was dead quiet. But now I have no idea?

[Mictlantecuhtli]

But then again I did travel through Somalia and Darfur at the time of crisis, so it cant be that bad...

The fuck? And you're worried about Tunisia? You'll be fine, I'm shocked you even got through Somalia without issue. Post revolution Libya is a might unstable in the areas you'd suspect, the population centers are safe enough but don't go biking into militia territory in the mountains, man. Tunisia to a much lesser extent, they aren't so hard-pressed as Libya at the moment conflict-wise. Algeria, unsure of.

I'm pretty sure North Africa is stable though, tourism-wise. I know the Algerian government made steps to appease a lot of people in the Arab Spring, so I think that could be a good thing for tourism safety. Unsure though.

[Meph]

Well, I did bicycle through Sudan, but in Somalia (north only, Somaliland) I wasnt allowed to and was escorted by the military. I am not worried about Tunisia, but mostly about Libya (going the western/northern coastline) and that I do not have my bike with me. I would use public transport this time. Algeria should be fine, I just hope the border to Marrocco will be open. That would allow more options.

Edit: Just read a report about a militia attacking a town 115miles from Tripoli. That is a rather small comfort zone I'd say. -.-

[Ancre]

The border between Morocco and Algeria might be open, but don't build your plans on it. It has been closed for a long time, and I have a feeling this is some sort of political bargaining chip "we'll open it if you do this" kind of issue. From what I've heard, this is not the first time Algeria promised to open that border in the near future.

Algeria is probably safe from turmoil. They're a huge oil exporter, and they went through a decade of terrorism/civil war in the 1990's, so I don't think they will have a full-blown civil war like Syria or Libya. There have been riots, but the government was able to appease them enough.

I don't know how safe it is to travel through it. But then again you biked through Sudan so you should be fine. My friends have stories of bandits on the roads between the major stories, but I don't know how much is hearsay and how much is true. Anyways the situation is much better than Sudan. I think there's trains that work too. I never traveled around Algeria (I only went to Algiers) but the country is developed enough for internal travel.

All in all don't worry about Algeria. It's not a fun place to visit, but it's not really a dangerous one either. You went through Sudan, you should do fine. Tunisia should be even nicer. I've never been there, but I'm pretty sure they're dying to see the tourists come back, since their economy depends on it.



Out of curiosity, where do you come from ? Why do you want to go through these countries ?

[Meph]

Well, I have to say that the Sudanese are the friendliest people I have met. Ever. And I have been to over 100 countries

I friend of mine wants to do a roadtrip to Marrocco for NewYears, so going with her would be a good start. But getting from Marrocco to Agleria would be the interesting part then. Otherwise I get a cheap flight to Tunis, and explore Algeria and Libya from there.

About your question:
I have done this so far, mostly by bicycle: (red = done, green = next big trip 2013, dotted lines = boat)

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

and the goal is to go to every country. Just... I dont know. Something I do, I guess.

[Ancre]

Well, I have to say that the Sudanese are the friendliest people I have met. Ever. And I have been to over 100 countries

That's nice ! From my experience, algerians are not friendly at all. But then again, I'm french, so this might explain that You might have better luck than me on that part.

[Meph]

Oh, yeah, sorry. I am german, didnt mention that. But then again, having french language skills would help a lot, and I do not have those. I'll see. Trip is planned for december/januar, and the green part to China should start April/May 2013.

[Scoops Novel]

I... I would like to know more about this.

[Meph]

Well, wasnt the intention when I started this thread, but I am well used to answering questions, so shoot. I always like helping people with some info, or getting them to travel as well. What do you want to know ?

[ragman le bon]

Hey, I hope you don't mind me pointing out the red line on your map doesn't go through Darfur and just skirts the border of Somalia. Not that I'm doubting you and it sounds like an amazing journey. Years ago a friend and I were planning a similar route driving from Ethiopia to South Africa. But as always, we never did anything about it

[Meph]

In Somalia I was only allowed to go through Somaliland, Hargeisa, Berbera, those places. It is difficult enough to get around there ^^ To Darfur I went with a group of volunteers in a jeep, thats why it isnt on the red line. The red line is what I biked

Just posting here to say that I just booked my flights, I'll have 5 weeks, arrive and leave from Tunis. Hope I get both Visas for Algerie and Libya.

[misko27]

Libya should be fine as long as you keep to theright militias. Don't piss any off and you should be fine. The populace is fairly pro-american at the moment, but I can't say the same for the militias. Stick to government areas, and remember to never insult the wrong people (read: anyone nearby at all ever), and you should be fine. Might be worth it to find out which are the friendly militias.

Speakign as someone who knows a friend staying in the Capitol. His Hotel was recently robbed, and the militia ame in and stole a bunch of towels. They said they were probably going to sell them back so not to worry. They had Kalishnikovs in one hand, towels in the other.