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Parc Culturel du Tassili: A Window to Prehistoric Sahara

Explore ancient rock art & stunning landscapes in Algeria's Tassili n'Ajjer, a UNESCO World Heritage Site revealing Sahara's prehistoric past.

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The Parc Culturel du Tassili, formerly Tassili National Park, is an immense national park and UNESCO World Heritage Site located in southeastern Algeria, near Djanet. It protects a vast plateau of geological wonders and one of the world's most significant collections of prehistoric rock art, offering insights into the Sahara's past when it was a fertile and inhabited land.

A brief summary to Parc culturel du Tassili

  • X2F6+MR8, Djanet, DZ

Local tips

  • A permit is required to enter the park and take photographs, obtainable through government-approved tour agencies or a Tassili Cultural Park conservationist.
  • Engage a local guide to navigate the park and discover the rock art sites, as access is restricted and the terrain can be challenging.
  • The best time to visit is between October and April to avoid the intense summer heat.
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Getting There

  • Air

    The most common way to reach the Parc Culturel du Tassili is by flying into Djanet Airport (DJG). Air Algérie operates regular flights from Algiers to Djanet. From Djanet, you'll need to arrange transportation with a local tour operator to enter the park.

  • Land

    Alternatively, you can drive to Djanet via Route N3, though organized bus transport is limited. Be prepared for a long journey through the Sahara Desert. From Djanet, a 4x4 vehicle is necessary to navigate the park's terrain and reach specific sites.

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Discover more about Parc culturel du Tassili

The Parc Culturel du Tassili, also known as Tassili n'Ajjer, is a designated national park and UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Sahara Desert, southeastern Algeria. Encompassing over 72,000 square kilometers, the park borders Libya, Niger and Mali. Its name, meaning "plateau of rivers" in the local Tamahaq language, hints at a time when the Sahara was far from the arid landscape it is today. The park's significance lies in its unique geology, stunning desert scenery, and, most notably, its wealth of prehistoric rock art. Over 15,000 drawings and engravings, dating back as far as 12,000 years, adorn the rock faces and cave walls. These artworks provide invaluable insights into the lives of the people who inhabited this region during the Neolithic period, documenting climate changes, animal migrations, and the evolution of human society on the edge of the Sahara. The art depicts a range of subjects, from wildlife such as hippos and crocodiles – species that disappeared from the region millennia ago – to scenes of hunting, daily life, and ritual practices. Some of the most famous images include depictions of cattle herding, horse-drawn chariots, and enigmatic figures with round heads, sparking debate about their meaning and origin. The park's "rock forests" of eroded sandstone create a surreal, lunar-like landscape, adding to the area's geological and aesthetic appeal. Visiting the Parc Culturel du Tassili is an unforgettable journey through time and a testament to the resilience of human culture in the face of environmental change.

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