| Page Views: 3,134 Last Visit to Agadez: October, 2003 | Agadez: the legend continues by Bonobo2005 - last update: Dec 19, 2003 |
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. |
| So where are all these places? |
|  | How did I like Agadez?
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).
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| Pros: | "Fascinating town and excellent base for organising tours" | | Cons: | "Lot of people are fixed on tourist money; very very hot" |
Bonobo2005's Agadez Travel Tips
| Overview | Things to Do
Tips: 8 - Photos: 8 | | | | Restaurants | Hotels & Accommodations | | | | Nightlife | Off The Beaten Path | | | | Tourist Traps | Warnings Or Dangers | | | Transportation
Tips: 10 - Photos: 10 | Local Customs | | | | Packing Lists | Shopping | | | | Sports Travel | General Tips |
 Comments for Bonobo2005 about Agadez | | | | |
globetrott Wed Aug 17, 2005 16:14 UTC
what an interesting page & excellent pics ! | JLBG Wed Apr 13, 2005 09:08 UTC
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!! | bebe2003 Fri Mar 25, 2005 14:45 UTC
great pics! thanks :) | Intrepidduck Wed Feb 9, 2005 10:38 UTC
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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