Rock formations and sand dunes in the Sahara, Djanet, Algeria

Sahara, Algeria

From the Mediterranean coast to the vast Sahara Desert, Algeria in North Africa has a wide variety of landscapes. Today, we're exploring the area around the Tassili n'Ajjer plateau. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is famed for its rock formations and cave art. More than 15,000 ancient engravings, some dating back 12,000 years, depict scenes of daily life, hunting and mystical beings. After checking out this desert landscape, it's time to head to town.

Djanet, a nearby oasis city, is known as the Jewel of the Desert. It's surrounded by rocky plateaus. Here, palm groves and gardens create a stark, beautiful contrast to the golden landscape. Djanet is home to roughly 15,000 people, most of whom belong to the Kel Ajjer Taureg community. You can get a feel for the city in its museum, but if you want to know what Djanet is about, you can find the answer on its streets, which are lined with colourful markets, mosques and earthen houses.