Getting to Kawar is a serious undertaking. There is no paved road, no scheduled transport, and no margin for error in this part of the Sahara. The standard approach is to travel from Agadez northeast across the Ténéré Desert — a crossing of several days over open desert and loose sand that requires GPS navigation, mechanical reliability, and enough fuel and water to handle problems along the way.
The most straightforward option for most visitors is to join an organized tour out of Agadez. Several operators there run desert crossings that include Bilma as a destination, typically as part of a longer Ténéré circuit. This is expensive but removes the burden of logistics and local knowledge. Prices vary considerably depending on group size and itinerary length; book well in advance and ask specifically about experience with the Bilma route. Independent travel is possible if you have your own well-equipped 4WD, a reliable GPS track, and experience in remote desert navigation — but you should not attempt this route alone or without preparation.
Dirkou, roughly 100 km north of Bilma, is the main administrative hub of the region and has a fuel depot and a small market. Bilma itself is the main destination, home to the salt works and the natural springs. Trucks do run between Agadez and Dirkou carrying goods and occasionally passengers, but departure times are unpredictable and the journey uncomfortable. For more on the Ténéré crossing, see the Ténéré Desert section.