In Guezzam

Nigerien migrants around an area near the Algeria-Niger border

In Guezzam (Arabic: عين قزام; Berber: ⵉⵏ ⴳⴻⵣⴰⵎ) is a city in Saharan Algeria and Algeria's southernmost city. It is the principal and largest city in In Guezzam province and is situated right on the Algeria-Niger border.

The town has become known as a destination for smugglers, banditry, and traffickers.

Understand

In Guezzam is an important border town that serves as a vital link between Algeria and the Sahel. Its strategic location makes it an essential point of transit for Sahelian migrants seeking better opportunities in Algeria and to reach Europe.

History

In 2019, In Guezzam became the capital of the newly created In Guezzam province.

Get in

In Guezzam is in a very remote area: it is distant from many of the major cities in Algeria.

By plane

Entering the city by plane might be the most convenient and safest option; a flight to In Guezzam from Tamanrasset takes about 75 minutes.

• 1 In Guezzam Airport (INF  ^IATA). The only airport in the city. (updated Sep 2023)

By car

Tamanrasset and In Guezzam are about 400 km apart and both cities are served by Highway N1. The journey should take you five hours. You should not drive to In Guezzam if you have little to no knowledge of Algerian roads, driving in harsh weather conditions, or both.

Get around

By car

In Guezzam is one of the smallest cities in Algeria. You can quickly get around the city by car.

On foot

In Guezzam is small enough to be explored on foot. Just pay close attention to your surroundings and the weather.

See

You can admire the vast, desert landscapes.

If you manage to get close to areas near the Algeria-Niger border, you may get a chance to see settlements along the border.

Stay safe

Many foreign governments, including the U.S. government, advise that areas near the Algeria-Niger border are unsafe.

It is not recommended to drive into Niger from Algeria. While it is possible, the security situation in Niger is unpredictable, and there is a risk of kidnapping, armed robbery and other incidents.

In Guezzam is vulnerable to flooding. In 2018, the city was hit hard by floods caused by heavy rainfall. Refer to the various tips found in the Flash floods article in the event the city experiences flooding.

Go next

As one of the smallest and most remote cities in Algeria, you will most likely step out after a few hours of arriving.

You can head back to Tamanrasset; however, it is strongly recommended that you book your flight tickets in advance.