Ben, Bert, Hans and John know each other from their time in the military. Three of the four already had extensive travel experience outside Europe. What’s more, three of the four knew how to handle a 4×4 off-road, long before SUVs became fashionable. That’s how the idea came about to undertake a joint trip through the Sahara.
There was a reason why we chose the Sahara in particular. At the time, it was still one of the last unspoilt regions in the world and was reasonably accessible from the Netherlands. The more we read about it, the more fascinating the Sahara became to us.
Politically speaking, most Saharan countries were relatively safe in 1981, and travel was essentially unrestricted. But the Sahara is one of the most desolate regions in the world, measuring roughly 2,000 km by 5,000 km. And in the heart of the Sahara, there was hardly any traffic, even on the main routes, the “pistes.” It could take days or sometimes even several weeks before traffic resumed on a piste. In many Saharan countries, travel through the Sahara was therefore subject to a system of travel permits, so that authorities knew who was on the road. But even if an alarm were raised, help would likely arrive far too late.
That is why thorough preparation was essential. Furthermore, it was necessary to be able to perform major repairs on the car yourself. And finally, it was vital to be able to navigate reliably. Keep in mind that in 1981, satellite navigation was not yet available for civilian use.
Our preparations were rewarded with a fantastic trip; click here for the route. The trails between In-Amenas and the Djanet oasis were particularly impressive. As were those between Djanet and In-Amdjel, where we rejoined the main road between Tamanrasset and Aïn Salah. And, of course, let’s not forget the rock paintings on the Djabarèn plateau. The rock paintings for which the Sahara is so famous, and which prove that this area was once a green savanna where shepherds grazed their livestock and wildlife – including giraffes and buffalo – roamed. I found the Sahara so impressive that I returned there several times afterward.
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