The Deep South · Tassili & Tadrart الصحراء و التاسيلي The Sahara — Tassili & the Tuareg South
Djanet, the Tassili n’Ajjer and the Tadrart — the Tuareg south, and the greatest open-air gallery of rock art on earth.
The Sahara
Beyond the Atlas, Algeria opens into the greatest desert on earth. The far south-east rises into the Tassili n’Ajjer — a sandstone plateau eroded into forests of stone, holding one of the richest galleries of prehistoric art in the world, some of it twelve thousand years old.
This is the country of the Kel Ajjer Tuareg, whose caravans once linked the Mediterranean to the Sahel. Around the oasis of Djanet, and in the dunes of the Tadrart, the desert is not a void to cross but a homeland — read, named and lived in.
What to see
What defines it
The rock art
Engravings and paintings of a green Sahara now turned to stone — herds, hunts and dancers.
The Tuareg
The Kel Ajjer — their language Tamahaq, their script Tifinagh, the indigo veil of the men.
The gueltas
Permanent rock pools hidden in the canyons that make life, and travel, possible.
The Sebeiba
Djanet’s ancient festival of dance between two quarters of the oasis — UNESCO heritage.
At a glance
Travel The Sahara with us
Algeria Compass is a licensed Algerian tour operator. When you’re ready, we’ll craft a private, guided journey through this region with local Algerian guides.