In The Sahara Desert – Land of Fear

The documentary follows photojournalist David Adams as he embarks on a perilous journey through the Sahara Desert. The Sahara is a collection of deserts, and the most remote is the Tenere.

The journey will cover 1,200 miles over rock and sand by vehicle, camel, and on foot. It’s a dangerous journey as the sweltering desert can be lethal for those who are weak, ill-prepared, or unlucky.

The journey begins in the African Republic of Nazir, where the Tenere meets the Iya Mountains. Adams visits the ancient city of Agadez, a former French colony and a mud city.

The city has many patterns made of clay and straw, and it’s also a holy city of Islam. Agadez got rich on trade less than a hundred years ago, and slaves, gold, and ivory were sold in the markets. The great salt caravans also bring salt to Agadez, which has been the mainstay of the area for probably more than a thousand years.

Agadez is also a place where many caravans converge, and everything about the markets is geared toward caravans, including clothing, footwear, headwear, meat, drinks, fruit, and food for the camels.

The Tuareg, legendary warriors of the desert, are in the markets, and they are the people Adams needs to get him across the Tenere. The Tuareg are fiercely competitive, and many of them ride for up to four days just to take part in the camel races.

They once ran an empire that controlled the central Sahara, and no caravan could pass without their say-so. Today, they are Muslim, and in stark contrast to the Islamic norm, it’s the men who cover their faces while the women leave theirs uncovered.

The camel races in Chammiya are a chance for the warriors to show their skills, and for Adams, it’s a chance to take photographs. The races are about creating legends, and the prize is a legendary sword of the Tuareg, the taxable.

The races are also a chance for Adams to meet a team of Tuareg who will show him the way to the Tenere and beyond. The team has all the necessary equipment, including camping gear, spare wheels, diesel fuel, medical supplies, rations for three weeks, and plenty of water. They decide not to take tents as it hasn’t rained in the Tenere for fifteen years and is unlikely to.

The journey is not without challenges. They face sandstorms, flat tires, and mechanical problems with their vehicles. They also face challenges with the camels, who can be unpredictable and difficult to manage.

The team camps under the stars, and Adams takes the opportunity to photograph the night sky. They visit the nomadic Tuareg people, who live a traditional lifestyle, and Adams takes photographs of them. The journey is long and dangerous, but Adams and the

Tuareg team makes it through the Tenere and arrive at their destination, the Libyan border. The journey is an unforgettable experience that demonstrates the resilience and strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity.