Tassili n’Ajjer, in the far south-east of Algeria, is one of the Sahara’s most extraordinary landscapes and one of the country’s great archaeological treasures. Rising approximately 1,500 to 1,800 metres above sea level, this vast sandstone plateau near Djanet combines spectacular rock formations, sweeping dunes and thousands of examples of prehistoric rock art.
Recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982, Tassili n’Ajjer is remarkable both for its geology and for the extraordinary record of human life preserved among its rocks. Paintings and engravings spanning thousands of years depict hunters, herders, cattle, antelope, elephants and other animals, revealing a time when today’s Sahara was a dramatically different environment.
A Prehistoric Open-Air Gallery
Across the plateau, erosion has transformed the sandstone into a fantastic landscape of towering columns, natural arches, narrow passages and formations resembling castles and ruined cities. In places these formations gather into vast stone forests, creating some of the most dramatic scenery in the Algerian Sahara.
At the base of the rock formations are natural shelters once used by prehistoric populations. Many contain paintings and engravings representing successive cultures and periods of Saharan history, making Tassili n’Ajjer one of the world’s great concentrations of prehistoric rock art.
Among the best-known areas are Tamrit, Sefar, Tin Tazarift, Jabbaren and In Aouanret. Their rock shelters contain remarkable human and animal figures, hunting and pastoral scenes and the enigmatic figures associated with the so-called Round Head period.
Exploring the Tassili Plateau
Reaching the high plateau is an adventure in itself. Traditional routes climb through steep passes known as akba, including the routes towards Tamrit, Sefar and Jabbaren. Much of this extraordinary landscape can only be properly explored on foot, accompanied by experienced local guides who understand the terrain, its history and the locations of its archaeological sites.
The wider Tassili region reveals the remarkable diversity of the Sahara, from the mineral landscapes of the plateau and the dunes of the Erg Admer to remote wadis and the spectacular desert scenery surrounding Djanet.
Djanet – Gateway to Tassili n’Ajjer
The oasis town of Djanet, with its palm groves and traditional ksour overlooking the Oued Idjeriou, is the principal gateway to Tassili n’Ajjer. From here, travellers venture into a landscape where Saharan wilderness, geology and more than ten thousand years of human history come together.
Experience this extraordinary region on our Sahara Desert & Oasis Tour, travelling through the landscapes of southern Algeria and exploring Tassili n’Ajjer, Djanet, prehistoric rock art and the spectacular scenery of the Algerian Sahara.