About the journey
In 2024, I journeyed with the Tuareg across the Sahara, capturing rare moments of resilience, beauty, and tradition. This signed collector’s photobook is more than images; it’s a limited artifact of that expedition.
Only 100 copies worldwide (Free shipping in Canada / US)
WHY ALGERIA?
I don’t do these expeditions for adrenaline. I do them to slow down, to listen, and to meet people whose lives are shaped by the land. Whether it’s walking across Africa or navigating remote desert regions in Algeria, my journeys are human-powered, culturally immersive, and unapologetically real.
There’s no script. No GPS. Just instinct, relationships, and trust. I travel alongside people who still live by rhythm and ritual, not the clock and I document their stories before they disappear.
Each journey is both personal and shared. Through photo books, films, and speaking, I bring you inside the experience. The goal? To show that the world is still full of wildness, wisdom, and connection if you’re willing to go far enough to find it.
BEHIND THE BOOK
This photo book is more than a collection of photographs, it’s a record of a rare journey through one of the world’s most remote and beautiful regions. From the windswept dunes to the ancient rock carvings, I walked, camped, and connected with the Tuareg people who call the desert home. Every image is a memory captured in motion, raw, sacred, and real.
Explore the heart of the Sahara through stories, photographs, and reflections and if you’re called to, order your own copy or prints to hold a piece of this journey with you.
CARVED IN STONE, EDGED IN TIME
Around 8,000 years ago, this part of the Sahara was a green, thriving landscape. The rock carvings are evidence, scenes of cattle, elephants, and people living off the land. You start to realize how much the desert holds onto history, even when everything else disappear.
WHO AM I?
I’m Mario Rigby, an explorer, adventure athlete, and storyteller. I’ve walked across Africa, cycled across continents, and led human-powered eco-expeditions to reconnect people with the planet and with each other. My work focuses on sustainability, cultural respect, and pushing limits without shortcuts.
Born in Turks & Caicos, based in Canada, and shaped by the world, I use movement to tell deeper stories. Through my photo books, films, and talks, I aim to inspire others to slow down, listen, and move with purpose.
How was it made?
This journey was over a year in the making. Together with Sonia Osmani from Mana Tribe, we carefully planned every step navigating travel logistics, permits, cultural access, and safety across one of the most remote desert regions on Earth. Without her, this trip wouldn’t have been possible.
Alongside us was Eric Moniz, a close collaborator and the lead videographer for the upcoming documentary film we’re producing based on this expedition. What started as an idea turned into a life-changing experience captured through photography, video, and shared memory.
This wasn’t a tour. It was a commitment built on trust, respect, and collaboration with the Tuareg communities who welcomed us into their lives.
Expedition Timeline – Sahara, Algeria
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Arrival from Toronto via Paris. Spent the first night in the oasis town of Djanet, staying at La Grotte des Ambassadeurs guesthouse. Final supply checks before heading into the desert.
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Lived with a Tuareg host family in a small matriarchal village. No electricity or modern comforts — water came from solar-powered wells, meals were cooked over open flame, and time was measured by the sun. Learned how to wrap a tagelmust and practiced tea rituals passed down for generations.
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Traveled deep into the Tassili n’Ajjer region. Hiked among sandstone cathedrals and discovered rock engravings over 8,000 years old. Slept under open skies in total silence.
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Explored surreal rock formations, pillars, and Neolithic art hidden in desert canyons. Ate lunch surrounded by a stone forest shaped by time and wind.
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Climbed sweeping red dunes and camped by Helicopter Rock. Witnessed some of the clearest views of the Milky Way I’ve ever seen. This is where the desert started to feel endless.
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Trek across vast dune fields. Saw the famous Neolithic ox paintings at Wan Iska and climbed Tin Merzouga — the highest dune in the region. Sand for days.
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Crossed a dry riverbed and reached the black sand dunes of Adjlati. More ancient engravings along the way. Camped in total stillness.
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Visited one of the oldest known engravings in North Africa — the Crying Cow, carved around 8000 BC. Also saw the natural wonder of Elephant Rock.
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Spent time in a village oasis surrounded by palm trees and natural springs. Played with kids, bathed in the spring, and relaxed with the community.
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Originally planned to summit Mount Tahat (2,908m), but recent rains made the roads impassable. Instead, explored nearby peaks over 2,800m and visited the hermitage of Charles de Foucauld.
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Stopped at a Tuareg camp for lunch and hospitality. Ended the day at a hidden desert waterfall surrounded by granite peaks.
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Final stop in the capital. Walked through the historic Casbah and visited sites from the Battle of Algiers — a reminder of Algeria’s strength, survival, and layered history.
Q&A
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Southern Algeria, primarily across the Tassili n’Ajjer and Hoggar regions, some of the most remote desert areas on the continent.
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Yes. We ship worldwide. Prices are listed in CAD, and international shipping is calculated at checkout.
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Yes, you can order fine art photo prints, signed collector’s editions, and digital downloads from the Order Prints page.
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This was a collaborative effort between Mario Rigby, Sonia Osmani at Mana Tribe, and the Tuareg communities who welcomed us with wisdom and warmth.
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Yes, a documentary is currently in post-production. Stay tuned for updates by subscribing or following on social media.