Libya : new border post open for tourists

[roro]

It seems that since the beginning of November ( 2005 ) the Nalut's border post is now open for tourists : if it's true this is a good news for those who are heading for Ghadames and Akakus .
This info is from http://www.sahariens.info/spip_sahara/

RR .

[Budrinna]

Nalut's Jamarek ( Customs border ) usually assure the transit of local traffic under particular procedures wich cannot be fulfilled by all travellers and particulary for the tourists travelling with own's 4x4 cars.

If this circumstance occurs the authorized entrance to Libya coming from Tunisia remains always Ras Ejdir through the compulsory assistance of a reliable local agency that will provide and assure you a guide all along the travel time in Libya.

Cheers
Budrinna

[ursula]

Hello Budrinna
so it is NOT POSSIBLE for tourists in their own 4x4 to enter or leave Libya in Nalut from/for Tunisia?
Thanks.
Ursula



[This message has been edited by ursula (edited 22 November 2005).]

[Yves]

Hello,
I just was told by a friend that agencies in Libya had been informed by a letter that they might use this border with their clients, even driving their own 4x4.
Actually the agencys still get the plates and the carnet at Tripoli.

Yves



[This message has been edited by Yves (edited 30 November 2005).]

[Budrinna]

To Ursula

Normally and officially still Not Possible even we are aware that some agencies basically placed in Ghadames sometimes takes this risk (with more charge and undoressen both at themselves and tourist's charge) .

Also possible arrangements for failure of contacts upon arrival time agreed are very difficult to solve on place due to the lake of regular communication and the non correct procedures followed, that must be anyway fulfilled by the agency directly in Tripoli . We wonder about the number requests recently received for that border whose utility, even for travellers going south almost ends in added costs and unscheduled extra time.


Budrinna

[Yves]

Hello Budrina,

the Nalut border offers several advantages over Ras Ajdir for 4x4 tourists:
- it avoids the intense and dangerous traffic of northern Libya
- you almost arrive in the middle of the Libyan Sahara
- less tyring, unattractive driving on tarmac
- a less frequented border promisses a more efficient procedure (I know people who needed > 5 hrs to pass at Ras Ajdir).

Yves

[ursula]

thanks Budrinna and Yves

[Budrinna]

To MR .Yves


Thanks for the interesting remarks and advices that we will be taken in great consideration .

But honestly it seems that it has been forgotten to report to the knowledge of many that the long time you complained is mainly due to time necessary to inspect few 4x4 tourist’s cars to the detriment of hopefully many others users of the border. As every body nowadays knows This common inspection is officially required to all travellers , by worldwide international safety’s regulations , but also and in the case just of private 4x4 by the continuous violations of local laws reported by customs authority . (Mostly alcohol in and archaeological artefacts out) . So if something to complain about the border’s services may arose , this must come by others travellers, that are also in hurry and for different purpose like work .

Hopefully Sahara in fact is not the only tourist attractive of the G.S.P.LA.J . and the task of the Libyans agencies is to deserve the best and reliable service to all group of tourist and travellers interested to approach and vista our Country .

More; the entrance of tourist, with or without private cars is often facilitated by a special lane. at Ras Ejedir like others entrance ‘s borders. This has been stated and officially appreciated by most of EU tour operator assisting also the most experienced and customized Saharan travellers.

Considering the dangerous northern driving, please be informed about the southern : recently some EU tourists have been found ( and assisted) fully drunk near their capsized 4X4 leaking more Pastis than gasoil ! WE hide about the thousands of costly bottles of Bordeaux and prosecco wine buried under the Sahara sands that surely doesn’t came through illegal border traffic( there is no convenience).

Best regards and please do not hesitate to post more advantages you may suggest . be assured that ,as before said , they will receive our highest consideration.

Budrinna

[Yves]

Hello Budrina,
with all the "dark sides" of tourisme you mention (not representative for all tourists, but for too much)it is only too understandable that the motivation of Libyan authorities to ease border crossing for individual 4x4 tourist will not grow quickly.
Travellers should think about.

All best, Yves

[Roman]

Hello Budrinna

Interesting point about international safety regulations requiring tourist cars to be searched at border crossings, making life miserable for local people!

Is this a personal reflection on Western decadence or you're dutifully repeating the official line?

------------------
Roman (UK)
www.overlandcruiser.info

[coolkarim]

If you take part in libya desert challenge you can cross from Tunisias southern tip into ghadames libya as a 'special' permission for the libyans.

this trip = one person and a bike is 2000 euro for a 2 week adventure of a lifetime, bargain!


contact me for details if interested
Karim

[roro]

You mean it's possible to cross the border near Ghadames ?
And no problem wih Tunisian too ?
Tahnks for your infos
( I'm interested , but only for Autumn 2006 )
RR .

[Budrinna]

Right Yves You get the correct answer’s sense . As T.O. involved in the local safeguard and keeping of the true valour of Sahara’s trips according to our heritage and way of life we are noticing (you can appreciate or no)in our daily job’s that the first obstacles against this intent , doesn’t come from internal procedures like few border’s hours spent or miles saved or a bottle of wine +/- but more and more from overseas regulations and blooming hungry appetites that, as very last example had just required six tender’s issue for the developing of the main airports existing and the construction of others in Sahara ‘areas . That is a bargain too.!

Western decadence ? Life locally miserable ?Dear user Roman those topics aren’t matter of any kind of reflections or our comment neither we think those arguments have something to share with the tread. Nevertheless note the international economical reports rang the Per capita income in GSPALJ among the first in Africa and every body knows that numbers are numbers and official means decisional.

Budrinna .

[coolkarim]

roro

yes but the crossing is feb 2006

cheers
Karim