Libya again, I'm afraid

[strongp]

Is is still impossible to enter Libya from Sudan with a car?

If I have to travel through Egypt what is the latest on cross-border procedures, charges, validity of carnets, etc.?

Thanks,

Peter
follow the camel: www.camelworld.com

[andrasz]

The Libya - Sudan route is now definitely closed from both ends. Unlikely to reopen until the security situation in Darfur improves, who knows when...



------------------
Happy Travels,
Andras

FJ Expeditions

[Toby2]

If you are looking for an easy route than Egypt then possibly Saudi. It was the easier route although there have been one or two security problems recently in Saudi and hence they might not issue transit visas. However if it is open then there is a ferry from Suakin to Jeddah, twice a week. Then get a three day transit visa - apparently easily possible to drive this in 3 days as roads are in excellent condition. From there into Jordan and Syria.

Note if you do try this route then you can't get a Syrian visa in Jordan and you won't have time in Saudi so you need to get the Syrian visa as well. Its possible to get all three visas plus ferry in Khartoum.

[Toby2]

Having made the suggestion yesterday of Saudi, may not be a good idea. The UK foreign office is warning against all travel there on the belief that westerners are going to be targeted by terrorists. BA has cancelled flights to Saudi again as a result of the potential terrorist threat. Could probably go through okay although the additional problem is it maybe harder or not possible to get a transit visa just at the moment.

[strongp]

Ha, seems as if everwhere I go nowadays is certain death according to the foreign office advisories... still, at least they keep the package tourists away.

What exactly happens that is so terrible when you turn up at the Egyptian border with a car?

Peter
www.camelworld.com

[Toby2]

Haven't done it, we came from Chad and went to Ethiopia but as I understand it, its just the hassle, the paperwork, the expense which is supposed to be expensive, the fact that you have to pay for lots of different things. This is compounded by the fact that there is no land crossing, you have to go up the river / lake. There is a regular passenger ferry but there is only a very irregular barge for vehicles. You have to pay lots for the barge and unless there are several of you or other vehicles turn up at the same time, then you could effectively end up paying for the whole barge at the full cost rather than say a sixth or an 8th of it (don't know how many vehicles it can take but a few which will keep the price down when it is spread between the vehicles). In addition, the towns at each end aren't that great and because the barge is very irregular, you can get stuck there for a while. Nothing that isn't solvable or that hard to endure but more hassle than other countries. May be quite hard if you are on a very tight budget.

[laro]

Just arrived in Aswan, coming from the Sudan.
Ferry Wadi Halfa-Aswan:
Per person 6.300 dinar(1$=260), per car 70.000 on a cargo ship. (ship broke down for a few days).
Formalities Aswan:
Immigration took 3 hours to stamp our passports. Customs charge 1022 E pound (1$=6) for a 4x4. Took half a day, closed at about 12. Next day customs again and traffic police. Another 1/2 day, 28 EP for insurance, 23 EP for numberplates, 10 EP for a form(? all in arabic of course).
Good luck

[roro]

Do you go back to Europe with your 4x4 ?
If yes , which way ?

[strongp]

I'm wandering around East Africa til christmas, then heading through Ethiopia, Sudan, Egypt, and maybe Libya