"Agadez: the legend continues" Agadez by Bonobo2005

Agadez Travel Guide: 19 reviews and 26 photos

Agadez is a small town situated in the middle of nowhere on the edge of the Sahara Desert. Once, Agadez, like Timbuktu in Mali, was a major stop for the camel caravans traversing the Sahara and its history goes back to the 12th century, but with colonialism and abolishing of slave trade by the end of the 19th century, Agadez declined fast.

Tourism has become the main source of income in Agadez during the last few decennia. It’s not the camel caravans that pass here anymore, but the Sahara tourists coming from Algeria with well-prepared Landcruisers or so called overland trucks. They use Agadez as a base for tours in the Ténéré Desert, said to be one of the most beautiful parts of the Sahara Desert, or in the spectacular Aïr Mountains with its attractive oases.

Still, while the most interesting places are outside Agadez, the town is reasonably fascinating in its own. The main market, the Old Quarter, the old mosque, if you consider the remoteness of Agadez and the barren land that surrounds it, it’s really incredible to witness the way people survived here for ages. Besides, Agadez has very good tourist facilities, like high quality hotels and many star restaurants.

How did I like Agadez?

So where are all these places?

I didn’t fell in love with Agadez immediately; maybe it was because I had had such a good time in Zinder before. Zinder was completely new to me, without any tourist business. The town of Agadez didn’t add much more to it and moreover many residents here were just fixed on generating money from tourists.

But as I used Agadez as a base, I soon got familiar with it and started to love the town! I stayed in Agadez for 6 days during 3 different occasions.

My itinerary
Zinder – Agadez;
Agadez – Timia (via Tabelot);
Timia – Agadez;
Agadez – Ingall;
Ingall – Agadez;
Agadez – Niamey;

I will create separate pages on Timia (Oasis in the Aïr Mountains) and Ingall (cure salée festival).

This page contains some practical tips on Agadez town itself and the story of the journey from Zinder to Agadez (transportation tips).

Pros and Cons

Pros:Fascinating town and excellent base for organising tours
Cons:Lot of people are fixed on tourist money; very very hot

Last visit to Agadez: Oct 2003
Intro Updated Dec 19, 2003
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Reviews (18)

Visit the Tourist Office for its views Things to Do (8)

The on the main road signposted tourist office in the Old Quarter is a private initiative. Its best quality is the... more travel advice

The Markets of Agadez Things to Do (8)

Since Agadez has the region’s most important market it has quite a rich market visited by all kinds of people. The main... more travel advice

NO this is not Heinrich Barth, but the caretaker - Agadez

Residence of Heinrich Barth Things to Do (8)

To be honest, I didn’t bother much the main attractions in town, but I did visit the former residence of Sahara explorer... more travel advice

The Old Quarter Things to Do (8)

The Old Quarter is a fascinating maze of small sandy alleys and certainly worth a visit. Some of the traditionally... more travel advice

Transportation (10)
See All The last leg to Agadez

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Comments (22)

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globetrott Aug 17, 2005 at 8:14 AM

what an interesting page & excellent pics !
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JLBG Apr 13, 2005 at 1:08 AM

Great page! Agadez reminds me of Tamanrasset in 1975! Great travel Odysseus! The overloaded Mercedes truck is impressive. I have never seen any alike but have met the poorest of the poorest illegal people that cannot afford even it and walk all the way!!
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bebe2003 Mar 25, 2005 at 6:45 AM

great pics! thanks :)
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Intrepidduck Feb 9, 2005 at 2:38 AM

Africa facinates me greatly and I plan to bicycle it in 2007- but Agadez I knew nothing of, thanks for the informatives pages.
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biljah Dec 30, 2004 at 10:47 PM

Wow that Mercedes Sahara truck is packed to the limit! Great pic =)
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Angela12 Nov 12, 2004 at 3:01 PM

I am amazed the truck moves with all that weight.
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pabertra Nov 2, 2004 at 12:04 PM

My Spanish roomate just looked at my laptop and exclaimed, "Dios Mio!" (Oh My God) The photo of that overloaded truck is amazing. It is an image that will forever remain in my mind. Will be back to see the rest of your Agadez page!
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Bwana_Brown Oct 20, 2004 at 8:33 AM

Peter, I finally realized you had finished this excellent page! Wow, I always love your harrowing travel adventures - this Toyota ride was one of the all-time classics!! Wonderful page.
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seattlesmiley Sep 17, 2004 at 10:40 PM

W - O - W !!! the photo of the Sahara Desert truck is amazing. thanks for sharing this interesting photo and tip! :) Susan in Sydney
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pepples46 Sep 14, 2004 at 10:33 PM

superb, gosh would I'd love crossing the Sahara your pics are as always, very enchanting. tks for sharing