Libya, how to get visas and cross...

[dstehouwer]

I'm just checking our possibilities for 'Out of Africa' from Egypt.
(we're at this moment a group of3 people, 2 Dutch and one Brit)

- Boat to Turkey: hassle, expensive (few hundred Euro's to get the bikes through customs), and driving back to western Europe from Turkey is 3500 km's roughly, not cheap to do.
- Istrael: Possible, seems quite easy, but after Israel you cannot get through Syria (because of Israeli stamps in your passport and Carnet). The ferry to Cyprus is not there anymore as far as I can find out.

LIBYA!
- Although they don't issue tourist visa's at this moment at all (before you could get those ONLY at the airport), it seems easy to get business-visa's. A few overlanders have done this, but it is not cheap; think about 500USD.
(1 month Business single entry, free travel, no guides needed)

I am in contact now with a travel agency which can arrange all of this, and asked for a better price in case we pop up with more people.
So, any overlanders in the area? Please contact me.

We hope to be there somewhere in the beginning of November 2012.

After Libya, life is easy. Tunesia is straight forward, and the boats to Italy are 'cheap'. (one way tickets available on all routes)
- To Palermo, Sicily: about 80 Euro's P+Motorcycle (short trip)
- To Mid-Italy: 170 Euro's P+Motorcycle, based on 3 bikes, 3 people in a 4p-hut. (25 hours sailing)
- To northern Italy: 230 Euro'sP+Motorcycle, based on 3 bikes, 3 people in chair. (23 hours sailing time)

[michnus]

We are looking at the same option. I called the embassy and they said we can get visas.
We will be in Egypt in Oct and will try and get to Libya then

[paul1962]

Guys I do not know who is telling you what - but I would be carefull about Libya and visa's at present - see Destination Dubai 2012 – We refuse to give up - I have been given same ino/advice. Hate you to loose money - the visa guys I contacted in Libya said they could not gaurantee anything at the moment.

[aimlessinafrica]

Folks
we are in a 4x4.
we are due to go to Algeria, Oran by ferry arriving on the 28th. We found the Algeria consulate in London super friendly and helpful
We have organised, via a professional agency, to get the Business Visas in Tunis. US$ 400 per person. At this time the agency does not see any problems in getting the visas.
we should be in Tunis ~ 9 or 10 October. Depending on the consulate formalities we hope to be in Libya soon after that.
I am not sure if that fits with anyones plans?

[Road Hog]

We were hoping to go the Libya route on our way north in January but have found getting a visa expensive and now the unrest. If you do go through please up date this post so we will know how it went.

Bob

[roro]

Originally Posted by aimlessinafrica

Folks
we are in a 4x4.
we are due to go to Algeria, Oran by ferry arriving on the 28th. We found the Algeria consulate in London super friendly and helpful
We have organised, via a professional agency, to get the Business Visas in Tunis. US$ 400 per person. At this time the agency does not see any problems in getting the visas.
we should be in Tunis ~ 9 or 10 October. Depending on the consulate formalities we hope to be in Libya soon after that.
I am not sure if that fits with anyones plans?

Hi,

But are you sure that border posts are now open for tourists?
I think the main problem is not getting the visa but trying to cross the borders.

RR.

[aimlessinafrica]

Folks
like others, we have business visas. The others who have done this recently have had no problems.The agency also says there have not been any issues.
so, fingers crossed.

[trans-african]

Does anyone know what it is like tying to get down to Waw en Namus now? or if it is even advisable?

[jimosse]

i have been in touch with Jill at contact@libyatravelandtours.com in the last 24 hours and it still seems OK and plan on getting my biz visa to enter around Nov 25 or so. 400$USD plus some other charge at the embassy itself (in Milan i hope)

interesting NY Times report on anti-unrest protests in Lybia, protesting the terrorist action last week in Benghazi
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/22/wo...ef=global-home


If it feels OK i'll spend 2-3 weeks to go south east, if not then cruse across the coastline. Solo on a moto, looking for travelling partners still.


it there anyone there right now who can give fresh reports from the field?
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...ilies/eek3.gif

[paul1962]

So I wonder why 3 ex-army guys, with the backing of the Sun newspaper, 3rd in line to the throne, plus some other important people, on a fundraising mission for a 'popular' charity, were denied their visa's for Libya? Because their ex-army, or too close to the events of last week? Would be nice to know.
Surely a visa agency has a vested interest in telling you everything will be OK? - the one I contacted were honest and stated they could not gaurantee anything i.e. border crossings with Tunisia, whether visa would be declined at border ect. -I decided I didn't want to take the gamble -but hope you get through.

[roro]

Hi,

Hello,

This is an auto-responder.

Thank you for your email.

Due to the tourist and transit visa suspension since the 4th of July 2012 and due to the worsening security issue in recent weeks, we regret to inform you that all our services are currently suspended.

Please accept our apology if you do not hear from us regarding your enquiry.
Kind regards
Temehu

"

Bad news....

RR
I've received this reply after asking Temehu about visas and crossing the borders with my car:

"

[dstehouwer]

oops....

we almost have our visa's for Libya, which seems to work out.
BUT: we also bumped into some guys who got refused EXIT fro mEgypt at the border to Libya, and after trying for a few days (they camped two nights at the border) they decided to drive back south.
Among them was also a biker, who had his visa arranged via Libya Travels and Tours.

We contacted this agent now, and it seems there are no real succes stories yet of travellers getting their visa's in Cairo AND succesfully making it into Libya.
A bit of a headache for us, because we've just paid 1750 USD to them for arranging these visa's (for 5 people), and they knew our route.... and claimed that 'all overlanders for whom they had arranged this made it through succesfully... so no worries'.
Now we find out only two overlanders used their services recently going from Egypt to Libya.... and of both they don't know whether they actually made it through.

So, if you plan on getting these visa's.... you'd better keep your money in your pocket for another two weeks until we've tried!

[ramblurr]

Definitely looking forward to your update dstehouwer.

I plan on making that trip with the business visa obtained in Cairo on bicycle within the next few months.

[dstehouwer]

update:
Libya Travels and tours claims they've heard from colleagues the border 'should be open'....
The Egyptian embassy in South Africa claims it is closed for NON-Libian passport holders since August. 8-|

We're up for some discussion with LTT I'm affraid...

[dstehouwer]

The border seems closed since August, and we booked everything with LTT on the 4th of October.

We're discussing a refund now, as Libya seems CLOSED when you come from Egypt.

Hurts a lot to loose 350USD per person on this, but we're discussing it with LTT....