Guides in Lybia/Algeria

[radek]

Hello.
I know this question has been asked few times on this forum before, but I thought I'll ask again in case there has been any further development.
We are planning Trip through Tunis and Algeria/Lybia in Spring 2006 and would really want to get away without guides and without breaching the law (as we will be having 2 SWB LR with no space for him). I found out from previous topic that guide in Algerias ia a must.
However I've heard from another member of the forum that in Libya you can buy a Movement Permission for a group of up to 4 which cost all together E260. This should allow you to travel without a guide. It Can be arranged by a local Tourist agency together with all the border formalities, car registration, etc...
I was wondering whether anybody travelled through Libya by car recently and had similar experience?
Thank you

[Budrinna]

Hi

No problem Radek even if, on this matter, it is by this time widely noticed that the Libyan regulation is clear and definitive since years and the result of its application is giving largely positive effects in most of the different fields involving Saharan travel’s, mainly the safety, as nowadays required to us by international travel ‘s laws.

So, unless your question is not related to some extra “agreement “ continuously asked or found to elude guide’s presence also during travel ( we all often read posts enhancing the positive result in using such kind of tricks but none ...in case of failure) we can assure you that tourists, with or without means of personal transportation are currently all travelling trough agent’s services and always with a guide. If there is no place(or do not want to have on bard personal cars it is common duty of the agency to provide a guide with a car at low extra charge.

Such kind of information on tourism in Libya are now available and clearly indicated in the official website of Tourism Dept. (in Arabic language) newly launched. More , late December, the 29 to be exact a tourist office inside Ras Jeedir custom’s area has been opened to facilitate and give assistance on this matter and whatever may be useful to ensure the best tourist’s stay time in the Great Jamahiriyah and willing to travel safely in the Sahara


Cheers
Budrinna

[radek]

Thank you for reply and helpful information Budrinna.

I'm aware that having a guide with you can have a positive impact on the trip, but somehow it is against our basic idea of free travelling.

Also, as I mentioned we don't have a space in our SWB and cost of the guide with vehicle for 3 week trip is just over our limit.
Will have to wait and hope the situation will improve in some time and do Mauretania instead...

For anybody interested in info about Movement permission. After contacting Libyan tourist agency I was told it can be bought by a biker and isn't available for cars...

Thanks again