Now that you started planning a trip to Algeria, you probably have the Sahara desert on the list of places to see.
Visiting Algeria Sahara desert does demand some pre-planning. There are many routes and spots to select from, depending on the time you have and what you want to see along the way.
Aside from deciding which places to visit and which sights to see, there are other important elements of planning a trip to the Algerian Sahara desert. In this post, I’m going to take you through everything you need to know about planning the perfect Sahara desert trip in Algeria.
Click on a section in the list to jump down the page.
- Where to go?
- Where to travel from?
- How long to stay in the desert?
- Guided tour or independent travel?
- Algeria Sahara desert Tour: tips & info
- When to visit the Algerian desert?
- What to Pack for the Algerian desert?
Plan an Algeria Sahara desert trip: where to go?
The Sahara covers a vast area of the country and the landscape varies from one place to another. So choosing the spots to visit depends on the kind of sceneries you want to see and the part of the Sahara you plan to explore.
Do you want to see sand dunes or stone desert and rocky plateau? Are you more interested in visiting the east or the west of the country? Asking yourself these simple questions will help you make a decision.
There are three different deserts which travelers visit in Algeria for their Sahara trip – The area called the getaway to the desert stretches from east to west and is more or less as a stony desert. Further inland is the central region of Algeria. This part of the Sahara is composed of sand dunes fields and includes some mountains and plateaus. The third area is located in the southernmost part of Algeria- It’s the aridest, wildest, and the most remote part of the desert, but also the most beautiful.
↠ Read more: 11 Great Sahara spots in Algeria
Where to travel from?
The most popular location to go on a Sahara desert trip is from Algiers. Mainly this is because many travelers choose to start their trip in the capital city of Algeria. However, you can get to the Sahara from pretty much everywhere. Oran and Tlemcen in the northwest or Bejaia and Constantine in the northeast are also good starting points. Just note that if you choose to travel by air or prefer to book a guided Sahara tour, Algiers offers more options.
How long to stay in the desert?
The most popular vacation length is a week. 6 or 7 days is a pretty decent amount of time to experience the stony desert as well as the central region of the Sahara. You can get two to three major stops without making it too cluttered. If your plan is to visit Djanet or Tamanrasset in the deep south, note that most of the proposed tour packages are one week long.
Now, you can have an epic Sahara desert adventure in a long weekend—I have done this before. But of course, the longer you stay, the more you can explore and absorb the sights and the natural wonders of the desert.
Given the huge amount of driving required to reach the Sahara and regardless of whether you start from Algiers or other cities in the north, expect a very full day of driving. So if you are short on time consider traveling by air to places like Timoun or Taghit where you can have a nice Sahara desert adventure.
Best way to see the Algerian Sahara desert: guided tour or independent travel?
This is probably one of the first things you’ll think about when you first start researching your trip through southern Algeria. The problem is, there is a lot of conflicting information online which can be confusing. If safety is your primary concern don’t worry, Algeria is safe. So, the main things to consider when deciding between a tour or independent travel are your travel style, budget, and which desert you want to visit. We will discuss these points further below.
Algeria Sahara desert trip: traveling to the deep south
If you are planning to visit the most southern areas of the desert (Djanet or/and Tamanrasset), you’ll need to book a desert tour as these two places are very remote being several hundred kilometers from major Saharan cities.
- These desert trips are all-inclusive and include your transportation from Algiers, activities, camp, and meals.
- A 7-day desert tour costs around DZA 63.000 – DA68.000.
Algeria Sahara desert trip: traveling to the other Algerian deserts
On the other hand, if you choose to visit the other parts of the Sahara, you’ll have many options for getting around. If you will be renting a car, the price of petrol is anywhere from DZA 32 to DZA 41 per liter which is incredibly cheap. The roads system is good and there is no rush hour traffic in the desert. In your own vehicle, you have the freedom to travel at your own pace and stop wherever and whenever you want. You can also arrange all your activities on arrival.
Not wanting to drive? Consider traveling by bus, train or plane or simply book a Sahara desert tour if you want to just sit back and relax. Several companies offer tours with guides very familiar with the area.
- The cost of a tour depends on the destination and the length of the trip. A 5 day-desert tour costs around DZA 24.000 and DZA 38.000.
- The desert tours are usually all-inclusive.
- If you travel by bus, keep in mind that tickets and timetables are not available online. You can go to the bus station to ask what time the bus departs and get your tickets at the station the day of travel.
Algeria Sahara desert tour: tips & info
- If you want to see the best of the Sahara without having to spend days traveling around, then book a Djanet and/or Tamanrasset desert tour. These two places located in the deep south feature the most beautiful landscapes in the desert.
- Book a desert tour before you book your flight. A simple change from one departure date to the next could affect your plan.
- In Algeria, you can’t just show up and join a tour, especially if you want to visit the deep south. All companies offer early booking when they release their dates and some tours can be hard to book as all places sell out weeks in advance.
When to visit the Algerian desert?
The best time to visit the Sahara desert is during the winter months – From November to March. Keep in mind though that the night temperatures are around or below freezing.
It’s also worth noting that desert tours close during the summer season.
What to Pack for the Algerian desert?
Travel Essentials
- Loose-fitting comfortable trousers
- Long-sleeve top/ sweater
- A scarf
- Socks
- Tennis shoes or hiking boots. It’s not a good idea to wear sandals when the maximum temperature is 14°C
- Sunglasses
- Paracetamol and Anti-Diarrheal medicine
- A Power Bank as the camps may not have electricity
- Pocket torch
To prevent dry skin
- Lip Balm
- Face moisturizer
- Body lotion
To keep warm on the cold nights
- A pair or two of wool socks
- A winter jacket
- An extra layer of clothing to wear such as a sweater or cardigan
- A mouth warmer
- A hand warmer
Algeria Sahara desert is full of epic wonders and should not be missed. If you are indeed planning on traveling to the Algerian desert, I hope this post will help you have a fabulous and memorable trip.
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Gabriel says
Which tour operators do you recommend for the Deep South visit to the Sahara, like Tamanrasset? Where can I find that price of DZD 63000-68000. Thanks
Amina Mayy says
Hi, I am planning a visit in December and was wondering if you had the names for the all inclusive 7 day trips to the dessert from Algiers?
Gagan says
Hi,
I want to do a week tour that preferably starts in Algiers and takes me around most of these places. What company do you recommend? I have heard getting a visa is a lengthy process (I am from New Zealand) so having a tour booked should make it easier to get a visa approved.
Thanks
admin says
Hi there, indeed, it’s not the easiest country to get a visa from but you have a high chance of getting a positive answer if you gather all the documents required. I don’t know many travel agencies but try to contact S To S Travel or Guide Nomad maybe they can help you. If you prefer to travel independently, then the best option is to book a hotel room as proof of accommodation and cancel it once you get the visa. Coachsurfers also can help. Hope that helps in some way! Have a beautiful trip.
Cat says
Hello! Please could you advise on car rental? We want to follow your two week tour around Algeria, but want to take the train from Oran back to Algiers. Do you know if it is possible for us to pick up the car in Algiers and then return it in Oran?
Thanks!
admin says
Hi, I personally have never done this but I think you can book a one-way car rental with Taltour.com
Enjoy your travels!