BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Djanet is a charming laid back place, as close to the classical picture book oasis as it can be. The Sahara Desert, covering most of North Africa, is the largest desert in the world.

Djanet is the main settlement in the southeastern part of Algeria, but is really not what you would call a town. There are several villages clustered around the same oasis, none giving space to very much urban type buildings and structures. The setting here is nice, but once you have gotten this far out into the Sahara, Djanet has nothing new to offer you. However, it is worth it to take a tour through Djanet to see its amazing dunes.

Djanet is the place to prepare for excursions to the rock paintings of Tassili N'Ajjer, a process that can be tedious if you insist on not paying any of the inflated prices with the local agencies.
The Sahara's topographical features include shallow basins, large oasis depressions, serirs or regs (gravel-covered plains), plateaus, mountains, sand sheets, dunes and sand seas (ergs). The highest part of the desert is at the summit of Mount Koussi, which is 11,204 feet (3,415 m) high. However, the lowest point of the Sahara is 436 feet (133 m) below sea level: in the Qattera Depression in Egypt.
The most amazing about traveling to Djanet is that over 25 percent of the Sahara's surface is covered by sand sheets and dunes. The most common types of dunes include tied dunes, blowout dunes, barchan and transverse dunes, longitudinal seirfs, and complex sand seas. Within the Sahara are several pyramidal dunes that reach over 500 feet in height. The draa, a mountainous sand ridge, reaches over 1,000 feet. The unsolved information about how these dunes were formed remains a mystery for researchers.
The unique dessert safaris to Algeria through Djanet and the Sahara will make you discover spectacular landscapes and fascinating culture - whether you join a Camel Trek, a 4x4 Safari, fancy a Short Break or a Tailor Made Itinerary.

There are many ways to experience Djanet and the Sahara. You can explore on foot among the sand dunes in the surrounding areas of the Mandare lake. Surely your hidden adventurous skill will be awoken here and you will be tempted to have some adventures which you have never tempted anywhere else in the world. Having a bath and swimming in this big lake with green banks and surrounded by mountains of golden sands will also give you a good pleasure. After lunch return back to Sebha on 4 WD cars which moves as if floating on the sand dunes.

If you wish to drive a 4x4 as part of your adventure, you can take your own vehicle along or rent a fully equipped Mercedes G Wagens.

Some great information about Djanet can be found at http://www.fjexpeditions.com/tassili/frameset/djanet.html

For some outstanding photos of the land, check out.

If a tour through the Sahara is more your style, then check out for some great information and photos of what you can expect from a Sahara expedition.

Travel warnings for Algeria:
Basically, the area is safe to visit. The country has calmed down from years past. The violence has always been in the North. The Sahara and especially Djanet, Tamanrasset and Timimoun have never seen any violence.
Visas/Passports: Visas are mandatory for most nationals including USA. Passport must be valid 3 months beyond intended stay
Obtain a Visa (US Passport).
For Australian travelers, see regarding Algeria travel.