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Terres Touareg

Sefar, the forbidden city: a hidden treasure in the Algerian Sahara

Nestling in the heart of the Tassili n’Ajjer massif in the Algerian Sahara, the troglodytic city of Sefar is one of the richest and most mysterious rock art sites in the world.
Accessible only on foot, after several days’ trek across the desert, Sefar is a veritable labyrinth of stones where prehistoric man left traces of his spirituality and imagination almost 10,000 years ago.

In a vast concentration of fossilised houses, wind-sculpted rocks and caves decorated with prehistoric frescoes, you can make out alleyways, rooms and courtyards,
as if in a city frozen in time.

Also known as the ‘Forbidden City’ or the ‘City of Stones’, Sefar has been closed to tourists until 2021. Inaccessible and protected for years, this time-defying place is a different world.

Where is Sefar in Algeria?

Sefar lies in the eastern part of the Tassili n’Ajjer Park, a vast sandstone plateau overlooking the Algerian Sahara desert. The massif, which rises to almost 2000m, lies close to the town of Djanet, near the Libyan border. Thanks to its natural wealth and cultural heritage dating back to prehistoric times, the Tassili n’Ajjer was declared a national park in 1972, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982 and classified as a biosphere reserve in 1986.

The troglodytic city of Sefar can only be reached on foot from Djanet, during a trek lasting several days across the plateau. No vehicles can reach it, and only experienced Tuareg guides know the secret paths that wind between the cliffs, natural arches and stone forests of the Tassili.

An open-air museum: the rock paintings of Sefar

Sefar is home to more than 15,000 cave paintings and drawings, some dating back more than 10,000 years. These representations tell the story of the life of the peoples who inhabited these mountains: hunters, shepherds, shamans. They feature a unique iconography combining strangely shaped human figures, animals, ritual scenes and symbols that are still enigmatic today.

The best-known Sefar representations are ‘The Great God’, ‘The Black Archer’, ‘The Martians’, ‘Round Heads’, ‘The Chariots’, ‘Swimmers with Horns’ and ‘Women with Masks’.

 

The legend of the Djinns

It is these representations that have fuelled numerous stories, evoking Sefar as the ‘kingdom of the Djinn’, supernatural creatures from pre-Islamic Arab mythology, before the arrival of mankind on earth. Other stories describe the coexistence of jinn and humans, always illustrated by the discovery of prehistoric representations of humans accompanied by as yet unidentified mysterious creatures.

In addition to their mythological and theological aspects, Sefar’s rock paintings reflect a vanished civilisation. Through the drawings and paintings, visitors can follow the lifestyles and evolution of prehistoric mankind, as well as the changes in climate and the migrations of wildlife in the heart of this region.

Visiting Sefar: a journey of initiation into the desert

Entry to the Sefar area is strictly regulated: only approved guides may take travellers there, respecting the site and the climatic conditions. The fragility of the rock paintings, the scarcity of water sources and the sheer size of the site mean that absolute caution must be exercised.

Going to Sefar is much more than a trek. It’s a physical, cultural and spiritual immersion in the memory of the Sahara. From the oasis of Djanet, it generally takes 8 to 10 days to walk there and back, accompanied by a Tuareg guide, with luggage carried by donkeys.

At Terres Touareg, we make this journey to Sefar in 9 days, passing through other places of interest (Tegharghart, Abka Tafilalet, Tamrit, tan-Zoumaïtak, Tin Tazarift and Jabbaren).

The route passes through breathtaking landscapes: narrow gorges, natural arches, sandy plateaux and deep canyons. The bivouac is a must under the stars, in absolute silence, punctuated by the wind and Tuareg tales.

Why visit Sefar with Terres Touareg?

Terres Touareg specialises in travel in the Algerian Sahara, in the Djanet and Tassili n’Ajjer regions. Thanks to our knowledge of the terrain and our partnerships with experienced Tuareg guides, we offer unique, supervised expeditions to Sefar.

What sets us apart :
– An approach that respects local heritage and traditions
– Tours designed for curious travellers who love nature and culture
– Reliable logistics for a safe and authentic immersion experience
– Groups limited to a maximum of 10 participants for minimum impact and an intimate experience

Sefar, the forbidden city of the Tassili n’Ajjer, is more than just an archaeological site: it’s a journey back in time, a pilgrimage to the origins of art, spirituality and the cradle of humanity.
Hardly accessible, precious, almost sacred, it’s an invitation to slow down, listen and contemplate.

If you dream of an exceptional journey to the heart of the Algerian Sahara, far from the beaten track, accompanied by passionate Tuareg guides who care about nature, let Sefar be your guide. A buried world awaits you.

Sefar, the forbidden city: a hidden treasure in the Algerian Sahara
Sefar, the forbidden city: a hidden treasure in the Algerian Sahara
Sefar, the forbidden city: a hidden treasure in the Algerian Sahara
Terres Touareg
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