For enthusiasts of rock paintings, vast spaces, trekking, authenticity, and self-discovery, the prehistoric Tassili n’Ajjer offers an unusual and unique travel experience in the world
Historical Background
Sefar is an ancient lost city nestled in the heart of the Tassili n’Ajjer mountain range, over 2,400 km south of Algiers and close to the Libyan border. Dubbed the “lost city,” Sefar is the largest troglodyte city in the world, featuring several thousand fossilized homes and an invaluable treasure of over 15,000 rock drawings and engravings from the Neolithic period.
Sefar has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1982, yet very few travelers visit due to its geographic remoteness and especially the difficulties in accessing the site.

Indeed, there are no roads, and the only way to cross the pass leading to the Tassili N’Ajjer plateau is by taking a steep hiking trail. It is worth noting that even if you are accompanied by mules to carry your belongings, the ascent is challenging and requires good physical condition, sturdy hiking boots, and ideally a walking stick.
Once you navigate through this maze of rocks with narrow, impassable paths, this extraordinary natural city reveals itself. This site, known as the largest open-air museum of prehistoric art in the world, houses several tens of thousands of engravings and rock paintings that were rediscovered in the 1950s by the famous French explorer and prehistorian Henri Lhote.
Most of these paintings, some dating back over 15,000 years, depict animals and scenes of hunting or daily life, illustrating that this harsh place has not always been an uninhabited desert.

In fact, the site of Sefar serves as a remarkable illustration of climate changes and human and animal migrations at the edges of the Sahara. If you are observant, you may spot wild animals such as gazelles, ibex, or jackals.
The most exceptional paintings depict enigmatic ceremonies as well as mysterious creatures with strange shapes and extraterrestrial appearances. The most well-known among them are “The Great God,” “The Black Archer,” “The Martians,” “Round Heads,” “The Chariots,” “Swimmers with Horns,” and “Women with Masks.”

Since November 2021, after several years during which the area was off-limits to travelers, it is once again possible to explore the Tassili N’Ajjer plateau with its breathtaking landscapes and the incredible troglodyte city of Sefar.

Why Visit Sefar? Sefar is a must-see during your trip to Algeria if you enjoy:
- Nature & Vast Spaces
- Mountains & Trekking
- The Algerian Desert, the largest desert in the world
- History & Heritage
- Arts & Culture
- Traditions & Local Cultures
- Camping/Bivouacking
- Unique Characteristics of Sefar
- Photo Spots
- Natural Treasures
- Off the Beaten Path
- Feeling Alone in the World
- Unusual and Authentic Travel Experiences

Travel Advice:
Good news for foreign tourists: the Algerian government has decided to simplify the tourist visa procedure for travel to the Sahara. For foreign travelers, we handle the visa application process on your behalf. All you need to do is send us a copy of your passport, which must be valid for at least 6 months after your travel date. Once the formalities are completed, you will receive a boarding authorization allowing you to board your flight, and your visa will be issued upon your arrival in Algeria. The application should be made at least 15 days before your travel date.
- Issuance of tourist visas at border crossings for a duration of 10 renewable days
- Visa fees payable on-site (bring cash – €100)
- Valid for all passports (except Israeli)
- Only available for the Greater South
After booking your safari with us, we will send you a form to complete and return. Once the formalities are completed, we will send you a boarding authorization that will allow you to cross the borders of your country. Once you arrive at the Algerian border, you will receive your tourist visa.

What to Bring with You: For nights spent in bivouac mode, we provide tents, mattresses, and blankets; you need to bring:
- Your sleeping bag
- A beanie
- 1 pair of gloves
- Sunglasses
- Lip balm & sunscreen and hand moisturizer (days are very sunny and air is dry)
- T-shirts for the day
- Warm clothes for the evening (for the months of November to late February)
- Hoodies (for the months of November to late February)
- Warm jacket (for the months of November to late February)
- Leggings (for the months of November to late February)
- Warm socks (for the months of November to late February)
- A good pair of hiking shoes
- Your personal toiletry kit
- Your personal first aid kit
- At least a 1-liter water bottle
- A small backpack for daily hikes to carry your personal items (very useful)
- Biodegradable toilet wipes
- Biodegradable toilet paper
- A lighter to burn toilet paper after use (let’s keep the desert as clean as we found it)
- A headlamp or flashlight
- Fleece jackets like those from Decathlon (good quality and inexpensive); the advantage is they are lightweight and don’t take up much space in your luggage
- Nail clippers
- Nail file
Equipment Provided by Your Travel Agency:
- Tent
- Mattress
- Pillows
- Blankets














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