Niger - salt caravan (Azelaï) between Bilma and Agadez

The caravan crosses the desert near the Crab’s claw - in the background the Oued Arakao - Niger

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

Crossing the almost endless desert of Erg Izane - 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

A caravan leaves the village of Imenan in Tassili - Algeria

Caravan against the backdrop of a thunderstorm at Smara (Spanish Sahara).

Caravan of donkeys - Food supplies near Gabr'acun

Trail of caravans between Tan-Zoumaïtak and Titeras-n-Elias - Tassili - Algeria

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

Traces of the wind - Foot and hoof prints withstand only for a short time against the endless impressions the wind traces in the sand. - Niger / Ténéré / Erg Izane / 2001

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

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

The great crossing - Through rippled sand waves and immense dunes, the way of the caravan seems to be without end. - Niger / Ténéré / Erg Izane / 2001

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.

In the Aïr, a pathfinder on foot looks for the best way to cross the dunes. - Erg Izane / Aïr / Niger

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.

At the edge of the Ténéré, Chef Abakaoua leads the way.

Arrival at the Kel Tédélé camp site.

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

Last efforts in the Ténéré before arriving at the well - Erg Izane / Ténéré / Niger

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

Oued Adjirigoudou, Takabar volcano - Aïr / Niger

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.

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

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

Caravan
In the Aïr, the guide searches on foot for the best passage for his caravan through the dunes. Niger - Aïr - Erg Izane - 2000

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

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

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

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

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

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

Near Séguédine, in the middle of the desert, rises the Pic Zoumri, about 150 m high. It is a mountain of witnesses. - Kaouar - Niger - 1968

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

The caravan descending from a pass on the high plateau of the Tassili. 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

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

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

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

Passage through the Agamgam Gorge - Aïr - Niger - 2001

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

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

Before crossing a desert, one must stock up on firewood. - At the camp of Elik-Ouan-Aggan - Air - Niger - 2001

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

On the way in the Erg Izane - 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

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 against the backdrop of Adrar Chiriet - Aïr - Niger - 2002

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

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

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

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

A tent is quickly erected for the kitchen - 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

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

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

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 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

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

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

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

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 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

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

Leaving the dunes of Erg Izanes behind, the caravan approaches the foothills of the Tamgak Mountains - Aïr - Niger - 2001

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

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

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 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

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

The caravan in the gorge that crosses the Tamgak massif - 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

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

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