Niger - salt caravan (Azelaï) between Bilma and Agadez

March through the dunes of Erg Izane in the area of Chiriet - Niger

Crossing the almost endless desert of Erg Izane - Niger

Finally again water - camp Toufouchi - Guelta Enghar – Niger

The desert of Erg Izane doesn't seem to have an end - Niger

The caravan starts early in the morning - Adrar Bous region - Niger

Light caravan - For one-day trips, the camel drivers leave behind bags, riding saddles, food and feed supplies at the camp. They will only ride the camels when the heat makes walking unbearable. - Niger / between Aïr and Ténéré / 1999

Caravan leaving for Gouloukou - Gouloukou is marked on the map! The sound of the name is reminiscent of gurgling water. This is not surprising: Gouloukou is a fountain where tadpoles like to have fun. - Niger / between Aïr and Ténéré / 1999

The great outdoors… - The caravan moves southeast, towards the endless Ténéré. - Niger / Ténéré / 2000

Guelta of Agamgam - Among volcanic walls, clan chief Abakaoua leads his camels to a drinking hole and its amazingly fresh, cool water.

The only possible way - In a narrow canyon, the caravan of camels examine the only passable route through the rocky chaos. - Abri Ilem / Niger / Aïr

Niger - caravan in the evening light - Erg Izane

Azalaï is the name given to the caravans that transport salt from Bilma to Agadez. The route is strenuous and dangerous even for the dromedaries, as proved by this skeleton in the foreground.

Niger - caravan in Erg Izane

Touareg caravan - On their way to a distant water source, the caravan stop before nightfall, and then the camels are fed with the hay they carry on their packs. - Niger / Ténéré / Erg Izane / 2000

Niger - Tenere - In the morning, camels are grouped

Crossing the Tagardet pass in the Aïr mountains.

Arrival at the Kel Tédélé camp site.

Here at the guelta one can find the precious liquid, even when the river dries up. - Guelta Baloumat / Aïr / Niger

In the morning light, a caravan strolls in the Temet wadi - Aïr / Niger

Filling up with water for people and camels at the Takarit well. (Oued Takarit / Aïr / Niger)

The guelta of Agamgam, last station before crossing the Ténéré. - Aïr / Niger

Niger - The Tree of Tenere, a thorn acacia, today disappeared

Salt caravan (Azaleï) moving through the Ténéré – 600 km of desert until Agadez!

Aïr / Descent to Adrar Chiriet At the end of a long and beautiful day in the desert, the tired caravan will set up camp in the pasture, between dunes and mountains. Tomorrow will be another day.

Aïr / Dunes near Tezirzek / To the next well In the labyrinth of dunes, the guides know how to find the way to the well where they can get water for men and camels.

Erg Izane / Departure into beauty When the shadows are getting longer, they highlight the beauty of the last dunes before reaching the "blue mountains" in the Erg Izane.

Ténéré / Témète», the pet Témète», a dog of the breed azawak, precious assistant of the hunter and the shepherd, has its place in the caravan. Its name means : link between men.

Aïr / Tagueït / The guide In the desert, it is always the man of knowledge and experience who chooses the best route to preserve the resources of the caravan.

Erg Izane / Getting into another world The caravan is about to enter a mineral universe that is no longer the world of men but that of an intact nature where only the nomads know how to survive.

Ténéré / The long walk Beyond the dunes of Izane, the massif of Tahmert will be the point of arrival in the evening of a long and beautiful day sailing through the Sahara.

Ténéré / Erg Izane / Stop in the shadow No tree, no rock as far as the eye can see. For the rest of a few minutes, the only shadow is that of the camels, but they can only turn their backs to the sun.

Roles of nomadic women and men (rock painting / end of the prehistoric period / Ouan Bender / Tassili n-Ajjer / Algeria)

The legends are only available in French!
Niger - Djado - Guelta Domo - Gravures dites camelines avec tifinars, chameaux montés ou non.

The legends are only available in French!
Libye - Tadrart Acacus - Tin-Achigh - Belle girafe gravée à trait fin. En bas à gauche, peut-être un singe et une figure difficile à identifier. L'ensemble est surchargé de graffiti d'âge camelin. Largeur du panneau représenté : 0,71 m.

The legends are only available in French!
Libye - Tadrart Acacus - Tin-Anneouin - Palmier et animal semblant en manger les feuilles. Ce sont les chameaux qui permettent de dater la peinture.

The legends are only available in French!
Algerie - Tassili-n'Ajjer - Oued Djérat - Enfin vint le chameau ! à la phase finale de la fertilité du Sahara. Le cheval lui-même disparaît. Vont rester au Sahara le dromadaire improprement appelé «chameau», l'âne et la chèvre. La rudesse actuelle du climat et la difficulté de la survie expliquent amplement l'extrême pauvreté de l'art camelin.

The legends are only available in French!
Algerie - Tassili-n'Ajjer - Oued Djérat - Guerrier touareg. L'ethnographie moderne rend compte de la totalité de l'équipement de l'homme et de la bête.

The legends are only available in French!
Algerie - Tassili-n'Ajjer - Oued Djérat - «Chameau» actuel (Camelus dromadarius) tel que le voient les habitants du Sahara.

The legends are only available in French!
Algerie - Tassili-n'Ajjer - Ouan Bender - Certes, ce «dromadaire» est amusant mais il n'est un dromadaire que par le comique de son allure : l'art a suivi la décadence du climat. De la patte avant au museau : 0,17 m.

The legends are only available in French!
Algerie - Tassili-n'Ajjer - Ouan Bender - Ce dromadaire à queue en arête de poisson est harnaché d'une façon logique, ce qui n'est pas le cas du «riem» dans lequel est installé un personnage sans jambes, mais qui dispose d'un coussin en cuir devant lui. Le «riem» mesure 0,16 m de haut et 0,23 m de large.

The legends are only available in French!
Algerie - Tassili-n'Ajjer - Tin-Fina - Autre scène pastorale, mais active cette fois. A droite, cinq personnages à l'ocre sombre sont vêtus de la tunique courte classique qui semble être celle des hommes. Ailleurs, des bovidés et des personnages. Mais en bas, on découvre un «chameau» monté par un homme armé d'une lance qui nous fait entrer dans le monde berbère. On admet, aujourd'hui, que le «dromadaire» a été introduit en Afrique au cours du dernier millénaire avant J. -C. Le dromadaire est donc plus tardif. Largeur : 1,80 m.

Azalaï in the sandstorm – Niger – Tenere

Getting into another world
The caravan is about to enter a mineral universe that is no longer the world of men but that of an intact nature where only the nomads know how to survive.
Niger - Aïr - Erg Izane - 2002

Displacement
A Reguibat tribe crosses the Amojjar pass. The woman and the children travel in a palanquin that protects them from wind and dust.
Mauritania - Chinguetti - 1968

Dunes and monoliths
Dunes of Tarka on the border between Niger and Chad.
Chad - Tibesti - 1967

Well of the Ténéré tree
At the bottom of this 36 meters deep well, the water is of poor quality, but necessary for caravaneers. It is brought to the surface by muscle power or with the help of animals.
Niger - Tenere - 1967

Entering another world
The caravan is about to enter a mineral universe that is no longer the world of men but that of an intact nature where only the nomads can survive.
Niger - Aïr - Erg Izane - 2002

In the morning light
Caravan in the Temet wadi.
Niger - Aïr - 2003

Traces of camel
Saharan nomads are recognized and excellent trackers. The trail of a camel is a true message, and every self-respecting Saharan can provide accurate information about the freshness of the trail, age, gender, load and state of tiredness of the animal.
Libya - Erg Mourzouq - Wadi Berjouj -1969

The real sea, the Atlantic - at Cap Juby, rich in memories of Saint-Exupéry - barely stands out against the sand so familiar to the camels. - Western Sahara - 1966

Tarfaya est une petite ville du Sahara occidental située directement sur l'océan Atlantique, près du cap Juby. - Western Sahara - 1968

The sky over Smara (Spanish Sahara) is threatening. The caravan stands out against the grandiose background of the thunderstorm like a Chinese shadow play. I wonder if the clouds will burst? - Western Sahara - 1968

A Réguibat tribe on their way over the pass of Ammojar (Mauritania). Wife and children make the journey in a palanquin that protects them from wind and dust. - Mauritania - 1968

The Moors, like their cousins the Tuareg, are Berbers. They inhabit what is now Mauritania. You often meet them when, as here at Aïn ben Tili, they move from one camp to another with their heavily laden camels. Typical is the wide women's saddle, whose fragility and lack of balance are obvious. - Mauritania - 1970

A Réguibat tribe on their way over the pass of Ammojar (Mauritania). Wife and children make the journey in a palanquin that protects them from wind and dust. - Mauritania - 1968

A caravan passes in front of the traditional stone houses of Tichitt. The town was founded around 1150 and was the trading centre of Tagant in Mauritania. - 1970

The Sahara in the hour of technology: The oil town of Hassi-Messaoud (Algeria). The oil hums in the thick oil pipes. The waste gas flares spew their fury into the air. - Algeria - 1966

Tarat is a fortification in Illizi province, Algeria, near the border with Libya, on a wadi on the eastern edge of the Tassili n'Ajjer mountains. A Saharan Meharist company (from méhari, the Saharan riding camel) was stationed here. The Meharists were units of the French army that were supposed to control the areas of the Sahara during the colonial period. They employed regular soldiers, the tirailleurs, and Saharan "suppletifs" recruited among the large nomadic tribes, the Moors, Tuaregs, Toubous or Arabs. Since the first automobiles could not penetrate these regions, they used dromedaries. As true guardians of the desert, these companies were tasked with pacifying Tuareg territories, topographical work, monitoring caravans and trails, border surveillance, etc. - Algeria - 1962

Illizi in Algeria: The Touareg woman - wife of Amastan - loads her dromedary with her household goods. - Algeria - 1962

On the Fadnoun plateau in the "Parc National du Tassili", you come across a large rock slab full of engravings: giraffes, antelopes, ostriches as well as human figures, but above all the famous, five-metre-long cow that people carved into this rock slab thousands of years ago. – Tin-Terhert - Oued Djerat - Algeria - 1962

A small herd of dromedaries on their way to a grazing area in Tassili N'Ajjer. - Algeria - 1966

Meharists on a reconnaissance ride at Fort Gardel, Tassili n'Ajjer. - Algeria - 1966

One of the last survivors of the green Sahara in Tassili N'Ajjer: the Duprez cypress (Cupressus dupreziana), called Tarut in the Tuareg language. It is about 3000 years old. The Tuareg at the foot of the tree gives a size comparison. Some trees are more than two metres in diameter. It is estimated that there are about 300 of them in the Tassil Mountains. - Algeria - 1966

The members of mission T4 (Tassili - Ténéré - Tibesti - Tchad - 1966/67 - led by Maximilien Bruggmann) on the march in the Tissouar area of Tassili n'Ajjer. - Algeria - 1966

Our journey has taken us to the sandy deserts and to Djebel, through the gorges of Tassili and into the tall grass of the steppe. Everywhere we met people who were able to build their lives and even laugh and sing. But it is to the sand that our minds and, why not, our hearts are drawn. This single man leading his camel across the hot, soft sand represents the triumph of the will over the most hostile matter. Sure, at the end of the journey, palm trees await him again, similar to those here in the valley of Adjahl; but even these exist only thanks to the will of other people, if the sand is not ultimately to win the day. - Libya - 1964

A herd of dromedaries at Al-Qatrun, an oasis in southern Libya, on the main route to Niger and Tchad. - Libya - 1969

The Edeyen of Murzuk is a Saharan sand desert (erg) in the southern Libyan province of Murzuk and has an almost circular shape with a diameter of about 250 km. For a long time, the dromedary was the most suitable means of crossing this barren region. - Libya - 1969

If the American Indians were renowned trackers, the Saharan nomads are not inferior to them in this difficult art. The track of a camel is almost like news, and any self-respecting Saharan can tell with unfailing accuracy the freshness of the track, the age, sex, load and degree of fatigue of the animal. - Libya - 1969

On the arrival of an important guest in Bardaï, the camel riders throw on their ceremonial garb. This is a tradition that is by no means dying out. The nomad guards are something like the mounted police of Tibesti. - Chad - 1967

A small caravan in the Enneri Bessama between Bardaï and Soborum. "Enneri" means something like "river". Like a wadi, it is characterised by the fact that it is almost always dry. - Tibesti - Chad - 1967

Humans and animals feast on the delicious water at Guelta Mourzo. Note the steep rock face that prevents the sun's rays from entering, thus keeping evaporation to a minimum. - Tibesti - Chad - 1967

Nomadic Tubu herders on their way to Bardaï. While the men go on foot, pushing their donkeys and goats in front of them, the camels, heavily loaded, close the march. In the distance, the spiky triangle of the Botoum peak (2416 m altitude) rises up. - Tibesti - Chad - 1967

Caravan of Tubu nomads on the track leading to Bardaï. The men walk, the camels trotting behind the donkeys and the goats, carrying heavy loads. In the background, the rugged triangle of Pic Botoum. - Tibesti - Chad - 1967

120 kilometres from Zouar, near the Enneri (Wadi) Maro, things are very busy. For the water, so indispensable for life, comes up fresh and cool from the bottom of the well here. - Tibesti - Chad - 1967

The dunes of Tarka, with their strange rock formations, are located on the edge of the Tibesti River in Chad, near the border with Niger. - Tibesti - Chad - 1967

Packing the blocks requires a special skill and is done while the traders discuss the terms of the trade. Once an agreement is reached, the salt blocks are loaded onto the camels. - Bilma - Kaouar - Ténéré - Niger - 1975

Packing the blocks requires a special skill and is done while the traders discuss the terms of the trade. Once an agreement is reached, the salt blocks are loaded onto the camels. - Bilma - Kaouar - Ténéré - Niger - 1968

The Azalaï or salt caravan is the event of the year for the nomads. It always follows the same route because of the rarity of water points. The drivers believe that the trik el-meleh has existed since time immemorial ... In the past, the big caravans included up to 3000 camels. In our days, they number 500 to 1000. The stages stretch over almost 40 kilometres per day, and the load of an animal rarely weighs more than 80 to 100 kilograms. - Ténéré - Niger - 1966

And the caravan moves on, untouched, it seems, by fatigue, thirst and sandy winds. Never does the leader lose his way, of which he knows every dune, every bend. But sometimes, consumed by his too great efforts, a camel falls as if struck by lightning. It will not rise again. Often, not only must the animal be abandoned, but also its burden left behind if no replacement camels follow the convoy. And all along the track, white skeletons, slowly buried by the sand, mark the harsh ordeal of the peaceful "desert ships". - Ténéré - Niger - 1966

The Arbre du Ténéré from a distance! This tree was an umbrella thorn acacia (Acacia tortilis) that was considered the most isolated tree on earth - supposedly the only one within a radius of 400 kilometres, other data mention 150 km. It was probably the last surviving tree of a group of trees that grew up when the desert was less dry than at present. The tree stood alone for several decades. - Ténéré - Niger - 1966

During the winter of 1938/39, a shaft was dug near the "Arbre du Ténéré", it turned out that the tree had reached the water table at a depth of 33 to 36 metres. In 1939, the officer Michel Lesourd, stationed in French West Africa, wrote about the solitary tree: "One must have seen the tree to believe its existence. What is its secret? How can it still remain undeserted, despite the multitude of dromedaries near it? How come no camel eats its leaves and buds? Why don't the many Tuareg salt caravans cut its branches and use them as firewood for making tea? The only answer is that this tree is taboo and so respected by caravans." - Ténéré - Niger - 1966

The acacia was knocked down in 1973 by an - allegedly drunken - truck driver. The then lieutenant and later state president Ali Saibou brought the remains of the Arbre du Ténéré in a military van to Niamey to the Niger National Museum on 8 November 1973, where they have been exhibited in their own pavilion since 1977. A tree-like structure made of metal pipes was erected at the site of the acacia, and chrome-plated hubcaps were later attached to its "branches" as reflectors for the night drivers. In 1998, Katsuyuki Shinohara erected the metal sculpture "Lighthouse of the Desert", with glass elements as optical and wind harps as acoustic orientation signs. - Ténéré - Niger - 1966

At the Arbre du Ténéré there are two wells, one with bad water, possibly from a carcass that fell into it. The salt caravans use this place as a night camp. The nomads' campsite near the well is called Ad Azzaouagger. - Ténéré - Niger - 1966

The " Arbre du Ténéré " is actually the sign of a lost waterhole in a desolate desert! Or was, because this legendary tree has disappeared! It was the expected signal for all the nomads passing through, who knew that at its foot there were two wells whose water, although not very inviting, was essential for camels. For those who have understood what the desert is, this souvenir photo is not only very beautiful but also deeply moving. It conveys a religious thought that makes the numerous sun signs depicted in the Sahara's rock art easier to understand. - Ténéré - Niger - 1966

The well by the tree of Ténéré. The mediocre water is found at a depth of 36 metres and is brought up by hand by the Tuareg or Toubou men of the caravans. A few metres further on is a second well, but unusable: a camel has fallen in. – Ténéré – Niger - 1966

The adaptation to dry climates enables dromedaries to live in desert areas. They have the ability to go for long periods without water because they can store a lot of water in their bodies. The dorsal hump contains fat stores that the animal can burn to gain energy when food is scarce. Although the dromedary does not store water in its hump, it does store it in its stomach as needed. The kidneys reabsorb much of the fluid by concentrating the urine heavily. Most of the fluid is also removed from the faeces before excretion. In ten minutes, the dromedary can regain its body weight lost through sweating by absorbing water. - Ténéré - Niger - 1966

The caravan has made life possible for people in the desert thanks to the camel. In the inhuman aridity of the Ténéré, it is always surprising to find an azalaï, a salt caravan. The blocks of salt it loads have the strange shape of an automobile piston, the rod of which is a little thick ... Each block is wrapped in a mat of palm leaves, because the camels have to be unloaded every evening and reloaded every morning. - Ténéré - Niger - 1966

The Azalaï or salt caravan is the event of the year for the nomads. It always follows the same route because of the rarity of water points. The drivers believe that the trik el-meleh has existed since time immemorial ... In the past, the big caravans included up to 3000 camels. In our days, they number 500 to 1000. The stages stretch over almost 40 kilometres per day, and the load of an animal rarely weighs more than 80 to 100 kilograms. - Ténéré - Niger - 1966

The Azalaï or salt caravan is the event of the year for the nomads. It always follows the same route because of the rarity of water points. The drivers believe that the trik el-meleh has existed since time immemorial ... In the past, the big caravans included up to 3000 camels. In our days, they number 500 to 1000. The stages stretch over almost 40 kilometres per day, and the load of an animal rarely weighs more than 80 to 100 kilograms. Paradoxically, the caravan leader walks the entire distance. - Ténéré - Niger - 1966

The salt caravan moves on. The 600 km distance between Bilma and Agadez is covered in 16 to 20 days. - Ténéré - Niger - 1966

And the caravan moves on, untouched, it seems, by fatigue, thirst and sandy winds. Never does the leader lose his way, of which he knows every dune, every bend. But sometimes, consumed by his too great efforts, a camel falls as if struck by lightning. It will not rise again. Often, not only must the animal be abandoned, but also its burden left behind if no replacement camels follow the train. And all along the track, white skeletons, slowly buried by the sand, mark the harsh ordeal of the peaceful "desert ships". - Ténéré - Niger - 1966

The salt caravan moves on. The 600 km distance between Bilma and Agadez is covered in 16 to 20 days. - Ténéré - Niger - 1966

The Azalaï, the salt caravan, in the Ténéré sandstorm. It carries Bilma's salt with it; 600 kilometres and three weeks of travel separate Bilma from Agadez. From Agadez, the salt continues towards Tahoua, Tanout and In-Gall, where it is exchanged for the products of the south. – Ténéré – Niger - 1966

Camel breeding is the occupation of the noble. In reality, they are dromedaries in the Sahara, but they have been called camels for centuries. Up to the age of three or four, the camel stays in the pasture. Then it starts to be trained. Between six and eight years, it is put to work. Male animals are usually used for the large caravans. – Niger - 1966

Camel market in In-Gall in Aïr (Republic of Niger). As in all marketplaces in Africa, people haggle extensively. The Tuareg are very vain. They often wear bracelets made of stone, e.g. serpentine, slate or limestone, above their elbows. The man in the white gandura on the left has a braid hanging from the litham on either side of his head, a custom typical of the Aïr. – Niger - 1966

Each tribe has its own special mark that it burns on the animals to be able to recognise them if they get lost. – Niger - 1966

In Rosso, on the Senegal River on the border between Mauritania and the Senegalese state, the camel, the "desert ship", and the pirogue, the river boat, meet. - Senegal - 1969

A herd of dromedaries refreshes itself in the Niger River - Kabara - Mali - 1969

The dromedary is a common domestic animal throughout North Africa. The southern limit of distribution is in the Sahel zone from Senegal to Sudan at about 13-15 degrees north latitude. - Kabara - Mali - 1969

This Touareg needs an umbrella to protect it from the sun. - Near Tabalak in the northern Sahel. - Niger - 1970

As a means of transport, these two Touaregs from the Tabalak region need a dromedary. The use of an umbrella is unusual. - Niger - 1970

In front of the Tabalak pond, Niger, the two Tuaregs on their camels form a striking contrast: one could better imagine them in the gorges of the Tassili. The trees are dead, although their roots are in the water. This is due to the fact that a pool is by definition temporary and can form after a rain that fell years after the last one. Combine this with the fact that when pasture becomes scarce, shepherds cut off all the branches that still have some leaves on them for the needs of their flock. The terrible drama in the Sahel has been made much worse by this custom. - Niger - 1970

In front of the Tabalak pond, Niger, these Tuaregs on their camels form a striking contrast: one could better imagine them in the gorges of the Tassili. The trees are dead, although their roots are in the water. This is due to the fact that a pool is by definition temporary and can form after a rain that fell years after the last one. Combine this with the fact that when pasture becomes scarce, shepherds cut off all the branches that still have some leaves on them for the needs of their flock. The terrible drama in the Sahel has been made much worse by this custom. - Niger - 1970

With the help of the dromedary, the water is lifted while the cattle wait patiently until they are led to the watering place. A spectacle that is repeated daily. - Well of Eskiman - Niger - 1970

Peul Bororo men on the way to the well of Eskiman - Niger - 1970

On the way through the Wadi Taligit, which leads from Djanet to the high plateau of the Tassili. Algeria - Tassili n'Ajjer - 1993

On the way in the Wadi Taligit, which leads from Djanet to the high plateau of the Tassili. Algeria - Tassili n'Ajjer - 1993

High plateau of the Tassili - dromedaries in the morning sun. Algeria - Tassili n'Ajjer - 1993

This dromedary with herringbone tail is harnessed in a logical way, which is not the case with the "frame", in which a person sits without legs, but who has a leather cushion in front of him. The "frame" is 0.16 m high and 0.23 m wide. Algeria - Tassili n'Ajjer - Ouan Bender - 1993

Tin-Kani is an archaeological site in the Tassili N'Ajjer region in southeastern Algeria, home to impressive geological formations as well as numerous rock paintings. Algeria - Tassili n'Ajjer - 1993

A Targui leads his dromedaries through the labyrinth of Tin-Kani. Algeria - Tassili n'Ajjer - 1993

The Ti-Sfad area is located southeast of the famous Sefar site on the Tassili-n-Ajjer plateau. It is an impressive landscape with stone forests and standing rocks. The visitor will find here a labyrinth of deep passages (Ti-Sfad means "The Passages" in the Tamahaq dialect) into which the sunlight never penetrates at any time of the day. Undoubtedly one of the most magnificent landscapes of the Tassili National Park. Algeria - Tassili n'Ajjer - 1993

The Ti-Sfad area is located southeast of the famous Sefar site on the Tassili-n-Ajjer plateau. It is an impressive landscape with stone forests and standing rocks. The visitor will find here a labyrinth of deep passages (Ti-Sfad means "The Passages" in the Tamahaq dialect) into which the sunlight never penetrates at any time of the day. Undoubtedly one of the most magnificent landscapes of the Tassili National Park. - Dromedaries at the Guelta Anallamina. Algeria - Tassili n'Ajjer - 1993

The Ti-Sfad area is located southeast of the famous Sefar site on the Tassili-n-Ajjer plateau. It is an impressive landscape with stone forests and standing rocks. The visitor will find here a labyrinth of deep passages (Ti-Sfad means "The Passages" in the Tamahaq dialect) into which the sunlight never penetrates at any time of the day. Undoubtedly one of the most magnificent landscapes of the Tassili National Park. Algeria - Tassili n'Ajjer - 1993

In the Tin-Messeous area, there are many stone forests with shelters where rock paintings can be found. Algeria - Tassili n'Ajjer - 1993

One of the thousand-year-old cypresses in the Rayaye area. Algeria - Tassili n'Ajjer - Alan Edoument - 1993

An Azalaï, a salt caravan, is still travelling between Bilma and Agadez. But for how much longer? Soon they will be completely replaced by lorries. - Adrar Madet - Niger - 2002

Departure of the caravan. - Adrar Madet - Niger - 2002

The caravan forms up for departure. - Adrar Madet - Niger - 2002

The caravan leaves the Adrar Madet in a westerly direction. About 70 kilometres lead through the Erg Brousset to the foothills of the Aïr Mountains. - Adrar Madet - Niger - 2000

The caravan begins with the crossing of Erg Brousset. - Niger - 2001

Late afternoon in Erg Brousset. - Niger - 2000

In the desert, it is always the man of knowledge and experience who chooses the best way to obtain the caravan's resources. - End of the crossing of Erg Brousset. Abakaoua, the Tuareg chief, leads the caravan to the sand dunes of Tagueït. - Niger - 2001

On the way to the Tagueït waterhole - Niger - 2000

The dromedaries are led to the nearby well of Ibil, where they can quench their thirst. - Tagueït - Niger 2002

The dromedaries have quenched their thirst in nearby Ibil and return to the camp at Tagueït. - Niger 2002

Descent over the dunes of Torguit - Aïr - Niger - 2000

Descent to the Oued Tanakom - Aïr - Niger - 2002

Travelling between Anakom and Agamgam - Descent over the dunes of Torguit - Aïr - Niger - 2002

The caravan en route to Agamgam - The dunes of Torguit - Aïr - Niger - 2002

The caravan on the Takolokouzet plateau - Aïr - Niger - 2001

The caravan descending from the Takolokouzet plateau - Aïr - Niger - 2001

Descent to the Oued Agamgam - Aïr - Niger - 1999

The caravan stops at Guelta Agamgam - Aïr - Niger - 2000

The dromedaries quench their thirst at the Guelta Agamgam - Aïr - Niger - 2000

Passage through the Agamgam Gorge - Aïr - Niger - 2001

In the evening light the caravan reaches the Oued Agamgam - Aïr - Niger - 2002

The caravan in the Oued Agamgam - Aïr - Niger - 1999

Dromedary camels fetch water in Guelta Agamgam - Aïr - Niger - 1999

Passage through the Agamgam Gorge - Aïr - Niger - 2001

The feet of a Tuareg nomad - Guelta Agamgam - Aïr - Niger - 2002

The caravan reaches the Oued Agamgam - Aïr - Niger - 2001

The valley of Tafajrit near Agamgam - Aïr - Niger - 1999

The caravan between Agamgam and Tafajrit - Aïr - Niger - 2002

Camp Tafajrit - The dromedaries eat the greenery from the sparse trees - Aïr - Niger - 1999

The caravan in the Arakao - Aïr - Niger - 1999

The caravan passes through the exit of a canyon into the Arakao. - Aïr - Niger - 2002

After a long day's march, the dromedaries are led to the drinking trough. - Aïr - Niger - 1999

The day's hike is coming to an end. We soon reach the camp site for the night. - Tineken - Arakao - Aïr - Niger - 1999

At the edge of the Ténéré, at the end of the Oued Arakao, there is a natural, circular mountain range: the Crab Claw. The caravan crosses this area, which is dotted with sand dunes. - Aïr - Niger - 2000

At the edge of the Ténéré, at the end of the Oued Arakao, there is a natural, circular mountain range: the Crab Clow. The caravan crosses this area, which is dotted with sand dunes. - Aïr - Niger - 2000

Crossing the Crab Claw on the edge of the Ténéré - Aïr - Niger - 2000

The caravan crosses the Crab Claw at the edge of the Ténéré - Aïr - Niger - 2000

The dunes of Tchi-n-Taboûrak rise on the north side of the Crab Claw - Aïr - Niger - 2002

The last large waterhole is in the Oued Takarit. Here you "fill up" with as much water as possible before entering the large sea of dunes of Erg Izane. - Aïr - Niger - 2002

The last large waterhole is in the Oued Takarit. As much water as possible is "refuelled" here before heading into the large sea of dunes of Erg Izane. - Aïr - Niger - 2002

Camp in the dunes of Lérouanan - Erg Izane - Aïr - Niger - 2000

On the threshold of the entrance to Erg Izane, a large sea of sand dunes. - Aïr - Niger - 2002

The dromedaries return from grazing - Camp in the dunes of Lérouanan - Aïr - Niger - 2000

Arrival at the Kel-Tédélé-Tuareg camp in the Oued Gouloukou - Aïr - Niger - 1992

The well of Faris. Right beside it grows an Aborak tree, a desert date palm (Balanites aegyptiaca) - Air - Niger - 1992

The clan chief Abakaoua of the Kel-Tédélé - Oued Gouloukou - Kogo - Air - Niger - 1992

Setting off to cross the Erg Izane - Oued Gouloukou - Kogo - Air - Niger - 1992

Setting off to cross the Erg Izane - Issouane - Air - Niger - 2002

Setting off to cross the Erg Izane - To the right, at the back, is the area of Tchi-n-Taboûrak, from where we departed. - Issouane - Air - Niger - 2002

Abakaoua indicates the direction to cross the Erg Izane - Issouane - Air - Niger - 2000

The caravan begins to cross the Erg Izane - Issouane - Air - Niger - 2000

On the way in the Erg Izane - Air - Niger - 2001

On the way in the Erg Izane - Abakaoua is lost in silent prayer - Air - Niger - 2001

On the way in the Erg Izane - Air - Niger - 2001

Rest break on the way in the Erg Izane - Air - Niger - 2000

Halt in the Erg Izane - The camels eat the fodder that must be carried - Air - Niger - 2000

The caravan on the way in the Erg Izane - Air - Niger - 2000

The caravan on the way in the Erg Izane - The scout explores the best path - Air - Niger - 2000

Halt in the late afternoon in the Erg Izane - Air - Niger - 2000

The caravan continues its journey - Erg Izane - Air - Niger - 2000

The caravan on the way in the Erg Izane - Air - Niger - 2002

In the dunes of the Erg Izane - Air - Niger - 2001

On the way in the Erg Izane to the camp of Elik-Ouan-Aggan. In the background, the Taghmert Mountain. - Air - Niger - 2001

On the way in the Erg Izane to the camp of Elik-Ouan-Aggan. - Air - Niger - 2001

On the way in the Erg Izane to the camp of Elik-Ouan-Aggan. In the background, the Taghmert Mountain. - Air - Niger - 2001

Crossing the sand sea Erg Izane - Air - Niger - 2001

Crossing the sand sea Erg Izane. The Sloughi Temet is also there - Air - Niger - 2002

Crossing the sand sea Erg Izane - Air - Niger - 2002

Even the Sloughi Temet takes a break in the shade of a dromedary - Erg Izane - Air - Niger - 2002

Crossing the sand sea Erg Izane - Air - Niger - 2002

Crossing the sand sea Erg Izane - In the background, the mountain Adrar Chiriet - Air - Niger - 2002

On the way in the Erg Izane - Air - Niger - 2002

On the way in the Erg Izane - A dromedary needs to be reloaded - Air - Niger - 2000

Crossing the sand sea Erg Izane - In the background, the mountain Adrar Chiriet - Air - Niger - 2002

On the way in the sand sea of the Erg Izane - Air - Niger - 2002

In the late afternoon in the sand sea of the Erg Izane - Air - Niger - 2002

Crossing the sand sea Erg Izane - Air - Niger - 2002

Crossing the sand sea Erg Izane - In the background, on the left the mountain Adrar Chiriet, on the right in the distance a marble hill - Air - Niger - 2002

Crossing the sand sea Erg Izane - In the background, a marble hill - Air - Niger - 2002

Crossing the sand sea Erg Izane - In the background, the mountain Adrar Chiriet - Air - Niger - 2002

Immersing into another world - The caravan enters another universe that is no longer the world of humans. In this untouched nature, only the nomads can survive. - On the left, the Adrar Chiriet - Erg Izane - Aïr - Niger - 2002

Crossing the sand sea Erg Izane - In the background, the mountain Adrar Chiriet - Air - Niger - 2002

In the late afternoon in the Erg Izane - Air - Niger - 2002

In the late afternoon in the Erg Izane - The hour of prayer - Air - Niger - 2002

In the late afternoon in the Erg Izane - In the background, the mountain Adrar Chiriet - Air - Niger - 2002

The march continues through the dunes of the Erg Izane - Air - Niger - 2002

The march continues through the dunes of the Erg Izan - Air - Niger - 2002

The march continues through the dunes of the Erg Izan - In the back left the Adrar Chiriet - Air - Niger - 2002

The caravan on the march through the sand sea of the Erg Izane - Air - Niger - 2000

The Adrar Chiriet, a huge volcanic massif in the middle of the desert, is home to a small population of Barbary sheeps, the wild sheep of North Africa that resembles the ibex, and blocks the path of caravans that have to bypass the mountain range in the middle of the Ténéré. - Aïr - Niger - 2000

The caravan approaches the plain in front of the Adrar Chiriet - Aïr - Niger - 2001

The camp is broken, the dromedaries are loaded again and then the journey continues to Adrar Chiriet - Aïr - Niger - 2001

The dromedary is also called the ship of the desert - Aïr - Niger - 2000

When the vital water of a well dries up, only death remains - Aïr - Niger - 1992

The caravan leaves the Adrar Chiriet area - Aïr - Niger - 2001

The caravan travelling through Erg Izane towards Tamgak - Aïr - Niger - 2001

Food found on the way for the dromedaries is gladly taken along - Erg Izane - Aïr - Niger - 2001

And on we go, even when the sun is burning - Erg Izane - Aïr - Niger - 2001

Lunch stop - resting during the hottest part of the day - Feeding the dromedaries - Erg Izane - Aïr - Niger - 2001

Lunch stop - Temet, the Azawakh taking a siesta - Erg Izane - Aïr - Niger - 2001

A tent is quickly erected for the kitchen - Erg Izane - Aïr - Niger - 2001

The Tuareg erect a tent and seek shelter from the blazing sun - Erg Izane - Aïr - Niger - 2001

Everyone rests during the hottest part of the day - Erg Izane - Aïr - Niger - 2001

In the afternoon we continue towards Taghmert - Erg Izane - Aïr - Niger - 2001

Under the full moon shining in the sky, the caravan marches through the endless dunes of Erg Izane - Aïr - Niger - 2001

A dromedary carries the tarahuit, the traditional women's saddle - Erg Izane - Aïr - Niger - 2001

The caravan on its way towards Taghmert - Erg Izane - Aïr - Niger - 2001

The caravan on the way to Taghmert - Erg Izane - Aïr - Niger - 2001

The caravan on the way to Taghmert - Erg Izane - Aïr - Niger - 2000

The dromedaries come back from grazing - In the background the Tamgak Mountains - Near Adrar Chiriet - Erg Izane - Aïr - Niger - 2002

Travelling from Adrar Chiriet to Tamgak - Erg Izane - Aïr - Niger - 2002

And on we go, even when the sun is burning - Erg Izane - Aïr - Niger - 2002

It's midday - The shady tent is pitched - Erg Izane - Aïr - Niger - 2002

Resting under the shady tent during the heat of the day - Erg Izane - Aïr - Niger - 2002

The march continues in the direction of Tamgak - Erg Izane - Aïr - Niger - 2002

The march continues towards Tamgak - Erg Izane - Aïr - Niger - 2002

The march continues in the direction of Tamgak - Erg Izane - Aïr - Niger - 2002

Camp at the foot of the Adrar Bous - Niger - Aïr - 2003

The caravan has left Adrar Bous and is on its way south - Temet region - Niger - Aïr - 2003

Camp in the Temet region, south of Adrar Bous - Niger - Aïr - 2003

The caravan continues southwards - Temet region - Niger - Aïr - 2003

The caravan before arriving in Bous - Temet region - Niger - Aïr - 2003

View of the caravan from the Bous barrier - Temet region - Niger - Aïr - 2003

The caravan moves in the morning light in Wadi Temet - Niger - Aïr - 2003

The caravan travelling in the dry riverbed of the Wadi Temet - Niger - Aïr - 2003

The caravan in a dry valley with sparse vegetation in the Temet region - Niger - Aïr - 2003

Citrullus Colocynthis: In the Wadis or valleys, you can easily find large fields of small pumpkins or watermelons. They are round balls scattered on the ground. Some are fresh, others are dried. You are not allowed to eat them, but they are used for medicinal purposes. For rheumatism, as a laxative, for gonorrhoea, for urinary tract infections, for diabetes... - Temet region - Niger - Aïr - 2003

Dromedaries quench their thirst at a waterhole in the Temet region - Niger - Aïr - 2003

The caravan follows the Oued Temet - Niger - Aïr - 2003

The camp site for the night is soon reached - Temet region - Mount Tazoubit in the background - Niger - Aïr - 2003

The next morning, the caravan resumes its journey - Temet region - Mount Tazoubit in the background - Niger - Aïr - 2003

Soon the camp of Tezirzek is reached - In the background the Tamgak massif - Niger - Aïr - 2003

The camp at the well of Tezirzek is reached - Niger - Aïr - 2003

The brother of the clan chief Abakoua fetches a dromedary from the pasture - Niger - Aïr - 1992

In the late afternoon, the Targis bring their dromedaries back from the pasture to the camp - Well of Tezirzek- Niger - Aïr - 2003

The caravan continues south towards Tchioulmas - Niger - Aïr - 2003

Camp in the dunes - Between Tezirzek and the Oued Tchioulmas - Niger - Aïr - 2003

Travelling in the dunes between Tezirzek and the Oued Tchioulmas - Niger - Aïr - 2003

The caravan travelling through the dunes on the edge of Erg Izane - Niger - Aïr - 2003

The caravan travelling through the dunes on the edge of Erg Izane, between Tezirzek and Oued Tchioulmas - Niger - Aïr - 2003

On the way home to the camp in the Oued Tiétak - Niger - Aïr - 1992

From the edge of the Erg Izane, we head towards the mountains of the Tamgak massif - Niger - Aïr - 2003

On the way through a dry valley leading to the Guelta Iffazane - Niger - Aïr - 2003

On the way through a dry valley leading to the Guelta Iffazane - In the far background the Adrar Chiriet, in the middle ground the area of Tebet - Niger - Aïr - 2003

Oued with the Tamgak Mountains in the background - Niger - Aïr - 2003

In the Oued Aouï – The Tamgak Mountains in the background on the left - Niger - Aïr - 2003

The dromedaries are freed from their burden - Tachaouit camp - Niger - Aïr - 2003

The caravan sets off again early in the morning - Tachaouit - Niger - Aïr - 2003

The Guelta Baloumat in the gorge between the two Tamgak mountains - Aïr - Niger - 2001

The dum palm (Hyphaene thebaica) is a multi-stemmed palm species with oval, edible fruits. In ancient Egypt, this palm was used for its fruit, fibres and leaves, but the date palm was not native to Egypt and only produced dates when it could be pollinated. - Guelta Baloumat in the gorge between the two Tamgak mountains - Aïr - Niger - 2000

The Guelta Baloumat in the gorge between the two Tamgak mountains - Aïr - Niger - 2001

The caravan has reached the Oued Tamgak. Dum palms line the Guelta of Baloumat - Aïr - Niger - 2002

In the evening, the camp is set up for the night at the Baloumat guelta - Aïr - Niger - 2002

The caravan on the way to the western exit of the gorge that crosses the Tamgak massif - Aïr - Niger - 2002

The caravan on its way to the western exit of the gorge that cuts across the Tamgak massif - Aïr - Niger - 2002

The caravan approaches the end of the gorge that runs through the Tamgak massif. - Aïr - Niger - 2001

The dromedaries are loaded again in the camp at the exit of the gorge - Tamgak - Aïr - Niger - 2001

The caravan leaves the Oued Tamgak. Behind the mountains on the right is the town of Iferouâne - Tamgak - Aïr - Niger - 2001

Last obstacles before the caravan arrives in the city of Iferouâne - Tamgak - Aïr - Niger - 2001

Travelling through a wide wadi in the late afternoon - Niger - Aïr - 2003

Loading the dromedaries at the camp in Oued Takarit - Aïr - Niger - 1999

Departure to the west - Kogo region - Aïr - Niger - 1999

Departure in the morning sun - Camp Tebet - Aïr - Niger - 2000

Rest in the Tebet area, on the edge of Erg Izane - Aïr - Niger - 2000

A last camp in the sand dunes before the caravan makes its way through the mountains - Aïr - Niger - 2001

The area changes from sand dunes to stony terrain - Aïr - Niger - 2001

Descent to Guelta Eloukan before heading into the Tamgak Mountains - Aïr - Niger - 2000

The caravan begins its journey through the Tamgak Mountains - Aïr - Niger - 2000

Ascent to Guelta Iffazane - Aïr - Niger - 2000

At Guelta Iffazane, the water gushing out of the ground flows over several steps into a small lake. The dromedaries take up a lot of water, they will certainly need it - Aïr - Niger - 2000

Early morning in the camp at Guelta Iffazane - Aïr - Niger - 2002

Ascent to the pass from Tagardet - Aïr - Niger - 2002

The landscape at the pass of Tagardet - Aïr - Niger - 2000

Descent from the pass of Tagardet - Aïr - Niger - 2000

The caravan in the Oued of Tagardet - Aïr - Niger - 2000

The caravan in the Oued of Tagerdet - Aïr - Niger - 2000

In the Oued Tagardet - Aïr - Niger - 2000

The Adrar Tamgak is located in the north-east of the Aïr and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Aïr and Ténéré Nature Reserve. The mountain massif is divided into a northern and a southern section by a deep, arching gorge running in a west-east direction. - The caravan crosses the Teliaouet - Aïr - Niger - 2000 pass

Descent from the Teliaouet Pass - Aïr - Niger - 2002

The Adrar Tamgak is located in the north-east of the Aïr and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Aïr and Ténéré Nature Reserve. The mountain massif is divided into a northern and a southern section by a deep, arching gorge running in a west-east direction. The western entrance to the gorge is around five kilometres from the village of Iférouane. Its eastern exit leads into the sand dunes of the Ténéré desert to the south-west of the Chiriet massif. Underground water flows to the surface at the side gorges, creating large pools of water, especially in the western part. The dry valley running through the gorge is the Tamgak, with the Toufouchi and the Zakkat as important tributaries. - Tamgak - Aïr - Niger - 2001

The caravan moves on through the Tamgak Mountains - Aïr - Niger - 2001

Ascent to the pass from Tagerdet - Aïr - Niger - 2002

The caravan continues on the heights of the northern part of the Tamgak Mountains - Aïr - Niger - 2001

The caravan moves through the northern part of the Tamgak Mountains - Aïr - Niger - 2002

The caravan in the Oued Tai Rei Iben, a side valley of the Oued Zakkat - Tamgak - Aïr - Niger - 2002

Descent in the Oued Tai Rei Iben, a side valley of the Oued Zakkat - Tamgak - Aïr - Niger - 2002

In the valley of the Gueltas in the northern part of the Tamgak Mountains - Aïr - Niger - 2002

In the valley of the Gueltas in the northern part of the Tamgak Mountains. The trail of the dromedaries in the evening light - Aïr - Niger - 2002

The caravan follows an oued in the northern part of the Tamgak Mountains - Aïr - Niger - 2002

In the valley of the Gueltas in the northern part of the Tamgak Mountains - Aïr - Niger - 2002

A dromedary drinking water in the valley of the gueltas (waterholes), in the northern part of the Tamgak massif, also called Zakkat - Aïr - Niger - 2002

The caravan passes a waterhole. In the valley of the gueltas (waterholes) in the northern part of the Tamgak massif, also known as Zakkat - Aïr - Niger - 2002

The caravan travelling in the valley of the Gueltas (waterholes), in the northern part of the Tamgak massif, also called Zakkat - Aïr - Niger - 2002

In the gorge between the two parts of the Tamgak Mountains - Aïr - Niger - 2000

The Adrar Tamgak is located in the north-east of the Aïr and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Aïr and Ténéré Nature Reserve. The mountain massif is divided into a northern and a southern section by a deep, arching gorge running in a west-east direction. - Aïr - Niger - 2000

The Adrar Tamgak is located in the north-east of the Aïr and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Aïr and Ténéré Nature Reserve. The mountain massif is divided into a northern and a southern section by a deep, arching gorge running in a west-east direction. - A canister fell down during a difficult passage - Aïr - Niger - 2000

The Adrar Tamgak massif is divided into a northern and a southern section by a deep gorge running in an arc in a west-east direction. The caravan on its way through this gorge - Aïr - Niger - 2000

In a side valley in the south-western part of the Adrar Tamgak - The caravan on the way to Abri Ilem - Tamgak - Aïr - Niger - 2001

Olive tree in Adrar Tamgak - Aïr - Niger - 2001

The caravan in the gorge that crosses the Tamgak massif - Aïr - Niger - 2001

The clan chief Boubakar - He wears sandals like the Europeans - Aïr - Niger - 2001

Boubakar, the head of the clan, also acts as a vet. A dromedary needs to be treated. - In the northern part of the Adrar Tamgak - Aïr - Niger - 2001

Descent from a pass. The Oued Tamgak in the background. - Aïr - Niger - 2001

Descent from a pass in the direction of Oued Tamgak. - Aïr - Niger - 2001

Guelta in the gorge between the two Tamgak mountain ranges - Aïr - Niger - 2000

Well in the gardens of Iferouâne. According to old custom, the water is drawn up in a leather bag and distributed into the irrigation channels - Tamgak - Aïr - Niger - 2000

About 40 kilometres from Agadez, we meet a salt caravan marching from Bilma to Agadez - Niger - Aïr - 1999

On the track from Agadez to Bilma we meet a caravan of around 1000 dromedaries travelling to Libya - Niger - Aïr - 1999

A caravan in the Baghote region, on the edge of the Ténéré - Niger - Aïr - 1999

On the way to Guelta Enghar. It lies in the gorge that cuts right through the Tamgak Mountains - Niger - Aïr - 2001

The caravan is on its way to the Toufouchi camp. On the way, they stop at a guelta to replenish their water reserves - Niger - Aïr - 2001

On the descent from the Essalagh Pass, on the way back from Toufouchi - Niger - Aïr - 2001

In the evening, the dromedaries are taken from the pasture at the Boubakar camp - Niger - Aïr - 2001

Many animals gather around the well of Afis - Niger - Aïr - 2001

Two proud Tuareg ride through the camp on their dromedaries - On the left the clan chief Bachar - Tanet Mellet - Niger - Aïr - 2001

A dromedary mare is milked at Brahim's camp near Iferouâne - Niger - Aïr - 2001

About 5 kilometres from Iferouâne is the confluence of the Tamgak and Zakkat rivers, which flow down from the Tamgak massif. The Tuaregs have set up camp here. - Preparations for a march into the Tamgak massif - Zakkat - Aïr - Niger - 2001

Traditional well at the camp near the confluence of the Tamgak and Zakkat rivers - The dromedary pulls the goatskin water container out of the well to irrigate the maize field - Aïr - Niger - 2001

Two Targis return to the camp on their dromedaries - Zakkat - Aïr - Niger - 2001

The Achekwa, a camel bag, is made by the wife of the blacksmith, the Malem - Zakkat - Aïr - Niger - 2001

The achekwa, a camel bag, is made by the wife of the blacksmith, the malem - Zakkat - Aïr - Niger - 2001

Departure atmosphere at the camp in the region of the confluence of the Tamgak and Zakkat rivers - Aïr - Niger - 2001

Where will the next ride take us? - Zakkat - Aïr - Niger - 2002

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