Overland region

The Tadrart Rouge by 4x4: local guides and trips

Red dunes and dark rock formations in the Tadrart Rouge
Photo: gouadjelia issam, CC BY-SA 4.0

The Tadrart Rouge is a sandstone massif in south-eastern Algeria, 15 to 30 km wide and about 150 km long, the southern extension of the Libyan Tadrart Acacus. Its wadis run from west to east and end in dune fields that shade from red to yellow and white, among dark red rocks, natural arches, cirques and gueltas, with rock art from the Neolithic onwards. For anyone travelling with their own vehicle it means sand tracks between the dunes of Tin Merzouga, Ouan Zaouten and Moul N'Aga, and the wadis of In Djerane and Bouhadian. Here are the local guides who work in the area and the trips that cross it.

3 local guides and 4 trips in the Tadrart Rouge on GuideMeet.

On the map

  1. Tin Merzouga Tin Merzouga — Dunes. One of the dune fields where the wadis of the range end, with sand that shades from red to yellow and white against the dark red rock. 24.2978, 10.9279 · Google Maps
  2. Bouhadian Bouhadian — Rock art. Wadi with rock paintings of figures in headdresses, a natural arch and a guelta, a natural rock pool. 24.2003, 10.8769 · Google Maps
  3. Tisseteka Tisseteka — Canyon. Rocky canyon with a guelta, a natural rock pool; the name is also spelled Tissatka. 24.0765, 10.8037 · Google Maps
  4. In Djerane In Djerane — Rock art. The most important wadi of the Tadrart Rouge, also spelled In Djaren; its walls carry engravings and paintings, such as giraffes and cattle. Pictured: giraffe engravings. 24.0640, 10.8199 · Google Maps
  5. Ouan Zaouten Ouan Zaouten — Dunes. One of the dune fields where the wadis of the range end; the name is also written Ouan Zaouatan. 24.1158, 10.9508 · Google Maps
  6. In Tehak — Dunes. Two dune fields, In Tehak North and South, each beside a dry lake bed (playa). 24.1296, 10.9655 · Google Maps
  7. Tamezguida Tamezguida — Rock formation. The natural arch known as the Cathedral, one of the many arches that erosion has carved in the range. 24.0315, 10.9054 · Google Maps
  8. Moul N'Aga Moul N'Aga — Dunes. One of the dune fields where the wadis of the range end, with rock formations rising from the sand and a dry lake bed (playa) beside it. 24.0172, 10.9560 · Google Maps
  9. El Berdj El Berdj — Rock formation. A rock cirque, a natural amphitheatre carved by erosion; cattle are painted and engraved on its walls, and an arch stands nearby. 23.9940, 10.9430 · Google Maps

Local guides in the Tadrart Rouge

Overland trips in the Tadrart Rouge

Trips already run here

When to go

Djanet, the gateway town, has very hot summers and mild winters and only about 15 mm of rain a year, so the cooler months are the comfortable ones for the dunes.

Before you go

Photo credits

Photos from Wikimedia Commons, under the licences shown.

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