Maurice Freund, a French adventurer and founder of the travel agency Point Afrique, died on June 5, 2026, at the age of 76. He was known for organizing desert expeditions across the Sahara and promoting tourism to remote regions of Mali, Niger, and Algeria.
Freund began his career as a guide in the 1970s, leading groups through the Ténéré and Hoggar deserts. In 1990, he founded Point Afrique, which specialized in low-cost flights and tours to West African destinations, helping to boost local economies.
He was also a vocal advocate for the Tuareg people and their culture, often highlighting the challenges faced by nomadic communities in the Sahel. His work earned him recognition as a 'passeur de désert'—a bridge between cultures.
Freund's death was confirmed by his family. Tributes have poured in from travelers and colleagues who praised his passion for the desert and his commitment to sustainable tourism.
