Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > North Africa
North Africa Topics specific to North Africa and the Sahara down to the 17th parallel (excludes Morocco)
Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



Trans Sahara Routes.

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 12 Jan 2010
BMWbiggles's Avatar
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: kent or on the road
Posts: 32
Libya / Tunisia

Can anyone give me advice on Libya / Tunisia. Visa, getting M/Cs in etc. Planning on sept oct riding down to Genova and then across to Tunis on the ferry. I have done a search on here but can't find much.

Thanks
Pete

PS I would like to travel around Libya without a guide.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 13 Jan 2010
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: New York
Posts: 1
Lybia

I am in the same boat as you, but alas, I do not know any other way than having a guide. I know a person whom we will travel with in a few weeks, who knows a lybian policeman who will act as guide and help in optaining all the nessesary paperwork and formalities, as well as accompanying us whilst we are in lybia itself. best of luck stephan
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 14 Jan 2010
Knight of the Holy Graal's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Mantova, Italy
Posts: 566
Quote:
Originally Posted by stephanrasch View Post
I am in the same boat as you, but alas, I do not know any other way than having a guide.

Are you talking about the whole Libya or only the coast road?
__________________
Nick and his 2010 Yamaha XT1200Z Super Ténéré
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 14 Jan 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: London
Posts: 621
Hi - getting a bike into Tunisia on the ferry is no problem at all. I did this with a car in 2007 but a bike is not much different. At the Tun/Lib border - not sure with a bike, but again a car was OK. I had a carnet which the Libyans used, but unsure whether it was required or just accepted.

Tunisian visa - unsure re your nationality, but if it's EU you will just get a stamp on entry - you don't need a visa. For Libya - yes you will need one. There's plenty of discussion re this on the HUBB and there was also talk a month or 2 ago of people entering Libya needing to be in a group of 5.

Guide - for the north coast road, you don't need one. For anywhere south of this, yes you do.

overlandcruiser.net
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 14 Jan 2010
BMWbiggles's Avatar
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: kent or on the road
Posts: 32
Thanks for the reply s. I was hoping to go south and not have to stay on the coast road. Is it a big problem if you wonder south after saying you will stay on the cost?

Where can I get bike insurance, do I need to buy it in Libya?

Any places you recommend seeing?

Ta for the help
Pete

PS Just called the Embassy they say If I book through a travel agency to get the visa I will not need a guide anywhere in Libya! Number in case anyone else needs it 0207 589 6120 They do take a long time to answer.

Last edited by BMWbiggles; 14 Jan 2010 at 11:20. Reason: Called the Libya embassy
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 14 Jan 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: London
Posts: 621
That's an interesting piece of information you were told by the Embassy about not needing a guide! Do any other members have any experience of this?

Libya is full of police checkpoints, so you would not get far from the coast road before being stopped at one.

Places recommend seeing - the attractions of Libya are mainly either along the coast, or a looooooong way south into the desert. Do you plan to go into the desert? You will pretty much have to to see the best scenery.

Insurance - unsure on that one. We used a guide, so it was already arranged at the border when we arrived. I suspect - and am willing to be corrected on this by others if I am wrong - that there is a booth at the border where you can buy it. It won't be expensive, but bear in mind it will only be 3rd party.

Mark
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 14 Jan 2010
BMWbiggles's Avatar
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: kent or on the road
Posts: 32
Quote:
Originally Posted by ilesmark View Post
That's an interesting piece of information you were told by the Embassy about not needing a guide! Do any other members have any experience of this?

Libya is full of police checkpoints, so you would not get far from the coast road before being stopped at one.

Places recommend seeing - the attractions of Libya are mainly either along the coast, or a looooooong way south into the desert. Do you plan to go into the desert? You will pretty much have to to see the best scenery.

Insurance - unsure on that one. We used a guide, so it was already arranged at the border when we arrived. I suspect - and am willing to be corrected on this by others if I am wrong - that there is a booth at the border where you can buy it. It won't be expensive, but bear in mind it will only be 3rd party.

Mark
Hi
we do plan to ride in the desert so bring on the places :O) This web site has some info Homepage Looks like if we head south as we get over the Tunisian boarder we will find some good places
I have asked a couple of agency's for info and will keep you informed
Thanks for the info

Pete
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 14 Jan 2010
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Logie Coldstone, Scotland
Posts: 70
You'll need a tour guide anywhere in Libya away from the transit route to Egypt.

The guide will meet you at the border and you'll follow in your car/bike. If you're going to the desert, then the first guide will hand you over to the desert guide at the start of your first piste - eg in Ghadames. The desert guide will be in a Land Cruiser. Desert guides are more expensive than "city" guides.

The desert guide then takes you round the desert and hands you back to the first guide when he's done with you.

If you're on your own on a bike the cost may be prohibitive. If you're a group of more than four then I think a tourist Policeman must accompany the group at all times (usually in the guides vehicle). You'll have to pay extra for this.

You get your insurance and arabic number plates at the border. You will have paid for all of this in advance to your tour company. You then change money at a booth on the right 100m inside the border. However, your guide handles everything for you.

We went as a group of seven people in four vehicles. This really made it affordable.

You have to really want to go to Libya to go through all the routines regarding Arabic translations of your passport, thumb prints, visas, organising guides etc.....

....but it is an amazingly beautiful country and the people there are warm and friendly. We loved it and would go back in a minute.

Good luck!
__________________
Fraser

Last edited by reggwensie; 14 Jan 2010 at 18:02. Reason: insurance
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 14 Jan 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Madrid
Posts: 334
So, one more time. Is it possible to go alone at your own into Lybia riding the main coast road going to Egypt?

That is what I need. Going into Lybia from Tunisia and ending up in Egypt. Is that possible without guide?

Thanks.
__________________
www.miquelsilvestre.com
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 14 Jan 2010
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Logie Coldstone, Scotland
Posts: 70
Quote:
Originally Posted by Miquel-Silvestre View Post
So, one more time. Is it possible to go alone at your own into Lybia riding the main coast road going to Egypt?
Thanks.
Well - quite pushy considering it's not your thread

If you have a transit visa and complete the journey in 5 days, then I believe the answer to be "YES"
__________________
Fraser
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 15 Jan 2010
BMWbiggles's Avatar
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: kent or on the road
Posts: 32
Thanks for the info Fraser.
I'm going to go to Libya and I really want to ride the desert not just the north road. Just got to work out how, I think it will be down to the people, police etc I meet when I'm there.

Life's for adventures.

Pete
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 15 Jan 2010
BMWbiggles's Avatar
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: kent or on the road
Posts: 32
Passports have to have a translation in them in Arabic. This can be got from Arab British chamber of commerce London Arab British Chamber of Commerce - ABCC Tel 02076594861 Costs £30

Hope this helps others

Pete
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 15 Jan 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: London
Posts: 621
Hi BMWBiggles

Glad to hear your plans are progressing. Places to see in Libya - have a look at my website - overlandcruiser.net

I think you will probably need the services of an agency to get all the paperwork sorted out, even if you CAN travel around the south without a guide. Would be too easy to miss something out if you were doing it on your own.

For the desert bit of the tour, whether or not you need a guide I would strongly suggest either using one or teaming up with a tour group purely for safety.

Which agency are you using? PLEASE don't tell me it's Arkno!

Mark
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 16 Jan 2010
BMWbiggles's Avatar
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: kent or on the road
Posts: 32
Hi
So far I have e mailed two, one was Libtra tours the other I can't remember their name but neither have yet got back to me. Can you recommend one?
Thanks for the link.
Ta

Pete
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 16 Jan 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: FRANCE
Posts: 138
Quote:
Originally Posted by reggwensie View Post
Well - quite pushy considering it's not your thread

If you have a transit visa and complete the journey in 5 days, then I believe the answer to be "YES"
YES too, you're right ( both points)
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Tunisia-Libya-Egypt anyone? Dirk/D Travellers Seeking Travellers 1 8 Jun 2008 00:11
Late May - Tunisia > Libya POB/London Travellers Seeking Travellers 0 5 Apr 2004 23:34
Egypt - Tunisia via Libya?? jim North Africa 4 28 Feb 2004 22:32
Tunisia, Libya, Sudan joachimvonloeben Route Planning 6 11 Nov 2003 16:10
tunisia libya egypt arona North Africa 0 21 Nov 2002 20:42

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 11:36.