Bordj Badji Mokhtar



Bordj Badji Mokhtar (Arabic: برج باجي مختار; Berber: ⴱⵓⵔⴵ ⴱⴰⴵⵉ ⵎⵓⵅⵜⴰⵔ) is a city in Saharan Algeria.

Understand
With a population of 17,000 residents, Bordj Badji Mokhtar is Algeria's second most sparsely populated city, serving as a vital link between Mali and Algeria.

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

Etymology
The city is named after Badji Mokhtar, an Algerian independence activist and revolutionary who was one of the central figures of the Algerian war for independence.

History
In 2019, Bordj Badji Mokhtar became the capital of the newly created Bordj Badji Mokhtar province.

Get in
You need a visa (if you're required to get one, that is) and a valid passport to travel to Algeria. More information on entering the country and Algerian immigration formalities can be found in the Algeria article.

Bordj Badji Mokhtar is situated in a very remote area; therefore, it is distant from many of the major cities in Algeria.

By car
It is possible to drive to Bordj Badji Mokhtar, but if you have absolutely no experience with driving in remote areas or on Algerian roads, this option is not recommended.

Reggane and Bordj Badji Mokhtar are about 633 km apart and both cities are served by Highway N6. The journey should take you eight hours.

By plane
Bordj Badji Mokhtar is served by one airport and offers flight services to cities in Saharan Algeria.

Entering the city by plane is strongly recommended; a flight to Bordj Badji Mokhtar from Tamanrasset takes about 80 minutes.



Weather
Bordj Badji Mokhtar has a hot desert climate and temperatures can rise as high as 50°C.

If you plan to walk around, be sure to hydrate often, wear appropriate clothing, and rest often.

Go next
As one of the smallest cities in Algeria, there's virtually nothing of interest to tourists except the vast landscapes of the Sahara. You will most likely step out within a few hours after arriving.

Given the uncertain, volatile political situation in Mali, it is not recommended to drive into Mali.