Libya February 2011

[roro]

Thanks Wywial for this fresh report.

RR.

[Richard Washington]

If Gaddafi manages to hold on, no one from Europe or North America can expect to visit the Jamahiriya for a long, long time.....

[wywial]

As result of our "heroic millitary effort" you might soon have a choice of two separate Libyas to visit

Cheers

[TurboCharger]

Originally Posted by wywial

Hi Guys,

I have just returned from Libya. We crossed border in Wazin (Nalut) on 2nd of March. Since 23rd of Feb we were going through deserts from Al Uweynat to the western border with Tunisia. 2/3 of the country is safe, quiet and very friendly. Police is friendly and supportive but military checkpoints are sometime a problem as those guys are very nervous. Leaving the country we had to pass through Nalut road and rebel checkpoints. They were also easygoing and friendly despite being surrounded by Ghadaffi units that we had to pass through as well.

All in all, safe and quiet in desert, mess in few cities in the north. Looks like Libya will be out of tourist destination list at least for 6 months.

Cheers,

Jarek

Based on this report it sounds like the perfect destination for a bit of overlanding... I mean, empty and desperate for tourist dollars, you could get yourself a 5 star suite for peanuts... if there is anyone available to serve you that is!!

No but more seriously I'm keeping a close eye on the progress of the region as we are planning in Oct/Nov 2011 a trip through Libya, so please keep posting updates. Lets hope the Libyan borders don't all close and westerners don't get banished as Ghaddafi would have it...

[Budrinna]

Originally Posted by Richard Washington

here's hoping that Budrinna, long time poster on the Sahara forum, is safely in the desert somewhere....

Hi all ! still ok still waiting tourists

Budrinna

[Roman]

Hello Budrinna

Good to see you back.
Could you give us an idea what's the situation like in Libya and what to expect in the near future? Do you know what is going on in Fezzan? I've been trynig to contact a friend but suspect the internet is not be working there.

[Budrinna]

A question Roma very very out of place here in the Hub , can't answer but just say you that phone & int lines are always normally working , probably your friends are out or may be they doesn't want to answer .

Cheers

[gvdaa]

I spoke to some Libyans in Tripoli lately. People are very afraid of pro-Gaddafi forces. Most people seem to be happy about foreign intervention, but I think it can take a long time before Gaddafi is gone.

[Richard Washington]

Here is a report of 57 000 people, mostly from Niger, emptying out of Libya into Dirkou. Its hard to imagine Dirkou coping with that number of people.

And anyone who has crossed the central Tenere has got to love this bit:

"She said Niger nationals were then routed to Agadez, three days by road from Dirkou"

That 'road' was at least 100 km wide when I drove it......

Over 57 000 flee Libya violence to Niger: News24: Africa: News

[Chris Scott]

An update on the story above: BBC News - Libya: Fleeing migrants flood Niger

The article suggests that "Over the years Gaddafi has helped resolve various rebellions led by Tuaregs" (by way of explaining Tuareg loyalty to Libya). My understanding was Libya funded or instigated some these rebellions in the first place - and then having stirred it up, stepped in with a resolution.

[heavens angel]

Originally Posted by Budrinna

Hi all ! still ok still waiting tourists

Budrinna

Hi Budrinna,

Do you think it would be possible to travel through Libya in Mid -July, entering from Tunisia and exiting into Egypt. I am travelling by road to Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

If so can you please advise me of the costs, and visa procedure, for One motorcycle and One rider.

Alternatively you can email me on parvazsharif [at] hotmail [dot] com

Best regards

H A

[reggwensie]

I wouldn't have thought that possible, let alone desirable!

[Roger Bruton]

Perhaps he's actually trying to BECOME "Heavens Angel"?!?!?

[Budrinna]

Sabah al heir Heaven Angel

Cannot be sure for next mid July , may be for July 2012. Inchall'ah .

It is a pity because actualy no need of visa ( but only for benghazi area).

By the way we change activity, lake of tourist we are now involved in the field of speed delivery transportation ( like DHL , FEDEX ) all over the country with 4x4.
Cheers Budrinna

[Chris Scott]

actualy no need of visa ( but only for benghazi area).

I heard the same from a newsman in mid-May. Getting in from Egypt has never been so easy - no escort needed. But of course you can only stay within the rebel-controlled area and even this is not without its risks.

"... Once in Libya the east is safe along the coast road as far as Benghazi and westerners are very welcome, especially press (Sahafi). There is no need to be accompanied by a minder, but travel is much easier with local contacts

There are numerous checkpoints on all roads which should be negotiated with patience and care and I would suggest travelling in daylight only but in the weeks I have been here I have encountered no problems in this area.

South of Adjdabya the town of Jalu is in rebel hands but is frequently raided by PGF. There has been no concerted effort to take and hold the town but there is frequent fighting which, because it is remote and small-scale rarely makes the news. I would advise care if travelling to Jalu itself and I would not recommend going any further south at this time.

It is impossible to make predictions for the future, especially in this place, but for what it is worth the Transitional National Council say western tourists will be welcome in the "new Libya" and they see tourism as a viable future revenue stream."

So while you can get in very easily from Salloum, getting south into the desert is not a good idea for the moment. You can't be sure who you'll meet, and that may include unaligned bandits taking advantage of the turmoil.

I would have thought it's obvious a transit across the north of the country is not possible until it's all over.

Ch