Djanet and the Tassili n'Ajjer: trip guide and hotels
Djanet, in Algeria's far south-east, opens the way to the Tassili n'Ajjer, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and to the orange dunes of the Tadrart Rouge. Go between October and April, compare hotels below and book online.
"Pour le meilleur et pour le prix !"
Djanet, gateway to the Tassili n'Ajjer
Djanet is an oasis town in the province of the same name, close to the Libyan border. It is the starting point for treks into the Tassili n'Ajjer, a national park listed by UNESCO for its sandstone 'forests of stone' and its more than 15,000 rock paintings and engravings, some of them thousands of years old.
South-east of the town, the Tadrart Rouge is one of the most photographed landscapes of the Sahara: red-orange dunes, arches and rock towers, best explored over several days by 4x4.
The search above shows hotels in Djanet and the other Saharan towns with live prices. Pick your dates and book online.
What to see and do
The Tassili sites (Tamrit and its ancient Saharan cypresses, Sefar, Jabbaren) are reached on foot with a guide, on treks of one to several days, sometimes with donkeys carrying the gear.
The Tadrart Rouge and the Erg Admer are crossed by 4x4, with nights in a bivouac under some of the clearest skies on earth.
In town: the palm grove, the old ksar and the market. At Ashura, the Sebiba festival, inscribed by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage, brings the whole oasis together.
When to go
From October to April. Days are warm and sunny; nights in December and January can drop close to freezing in the desert.
New Year's Eve and the winter holidays are the busiest weeks of the year: book your flight and hotel from November. From May to September the heat is extreme and most tours stop.
How to organise your trip
Fly from Algiers to Djanet Tiska airport, then a short drive into town. Flights are few and fill up quickly in high season.
Treks in the Tassili and the Tadrart are run by approved local agencies with a licensed guide: book them before you leave and confirm what is included (vehicle, cook, camping gear, park fees).
Foreign visitors: Algeria offers a visa on arrival for tourists visiting the Saharan regions with an approved local agency; check the current conditions with the Algerian consulate. Read your government's travel advice before booking, as some border areas of the far south are advised against.
What to pack
Warm layers and a good sleeping bag for the nights, a hat, sunglasses and sun cream for the days, sturdy walking shoes for the Tassili, a headlamp and some cash in dinars, as card payment is rare in the oases.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get to Djanet?
By plane from Algiers to Djanet Tiska airport. Book early for New Year's Eve and the winter holidays.
When is the best time to visit Djanet?
From October to April. December and January nights are cold in the desert.
Do I need a guide for the Tassili n'Ajjer?
Yes. Treks in the national park and in the Tadrart are organised with an approved local agency and a licensed guide.
Can I pay in Algerian dinars?
Yes. You pay in Algerian dinars by BaridiMob, bank transfer or cash at our agency in Telemly (Algiers Centre), with no international bank card needed. From abroad, you can also pay online by card.
Do foreigners need a visa?
Most nationalities need a visa for Algeria. A visa on arrival exists for tourists visiting the Sahara with an approved local agency; check the conditions with the Algerian consulate before you travel.
How does booking work?
Send your request from the hotel page: our team confirms availability and the price, then contacts you for payment. Your voucher is sent by e-mail or WhatsApp.