Security Update Libya.

[Cam Johnson]

Hi roro,
I've read reports here on the HUBB that getting a visa can be quite a ball ache. We get ours in Malta, but I don't know if that will help many overlanders as it's not really on the way to Libya.

And just when I finished saying that security is getter better in Libya:

BBC News - Libya blasts: Two killed in Tripoli car bombings

With this is mind, people wishing to transit Libya at the moment should do so quickly and quietly. I can't recommend the country for full on tourism just yet.

Cheers,
CJ.

[jimosse]

Cam
Just to clarify, I was thinking of a week for the coast run, leptis magna is a prime goal, but I have a month on a business visa and Algeria or other Saharan adventures are out of reach. I'm solo on a moto so I'll stick to sealed roads. My 2007 Lonley planet, as does Chris Scott s book show the direct run south as unsealed.

I found one outfit willing to supply the paperwork for a business visa, as tourist visas for independent travel are not being issued, for 250euro, another for 400usd. 160 euros for bike and me from Genoa to tunisia on Grimaldi lines.

I'd return to the north coast for Egypt entry. What do you know of food, fuel, and other travellers issues going south. And you made a comment about 'showing GPS' in a previous post, what was that about?
Thanks!

[Cam Johnson]

Hi jimosse,
Sorry I can't give you more information on travel in the south. I have not been and we don't hear much about it.

Be sure to update us if when you find out.

Maybe the people who arranged your visa will be able to give you more specific information?

The Sirte Security Council got an idea into their heads that we were using our GPS to make readings to pass onto NATO for further airstrikes!! Faced with this kind of ignorance, we didn't even try to explain things like the existence of Google Earth as we were sure that would somehow be considered further 'proof' of our spying activities. We just left them to dream on.

Safe travels. When will you be around?
CJ.

[Sheikyabooty]

Originally Posted by jimosse

After finding a decent way to get a business visa for an acceptable fee given the alternatives (which are almost non-existant) I'm till planning the Italy to Tunisia ferry and then overland thru Libya to Egypt. All this Turkey RoRO to Egypt ports for 900$ is too much. Egypt ports have to be worse for import hassels versus the Libyan border??

You post encourages me as this will work.

Am i pushing things to think of travel besides blasting the coast road in a week or so? Ghat?

Going mid to late November on a 5-6 month eastern route trip south to CT and looking for others to ride with, esp the northern challenges.

Thanks!

Hey Jimosse,

Myself and Clare will be doing that route mid november too, on a couple of bikes and it would be great to meet up along the way!

[jimosse]

hey fellow travelers
Sent you a PM about my travel plans. do you have a Libyan visa lined up? What about travel to Ghat in the SW and those areas that Scott mentions (L3,L4,L5). u got any info? I'm still not at all sure it's possible even with a business visa? does anyone know?

[Cam Johnson]

jimosse,
I've been asking around here and anyone knows anything about Ghadamis and Ghat, which probably means: no news is good news.

However, you will probably see higher military presence in Sabha.

One thing is for sure and that is you'll be the first guy on a bike there in ages. People are telling me that the road to Ghat is still tarmac.

Bon voyage! Don't forget to let me know when you'll be in country.

Cheers,
CJ.

[Budrinna]

Hi Jimosse

Travelling with business Visa? Wonder how You will manage trought the road controls ( now plenty and more more as before, at least one every 10 miles ) . Wait for news after coming back.

Cheers with Mirinda ( We still have)

Budrinna

[Roman]

Originally Posted by Budrinna

Travelling with business Visa? Wonder how You will manage trought the road controls

Hi Budrinna

How? Pretty simple - smile and wave to the guys at the checkpoints. They are really nice people and have other things to do than bother with checking visas.

[Budrinna]

Hi Ruman

Its seems You read too much newspapers , came here and see :For sure we are always nice people and for sure you will have always to smile. Wait for your visit and for Your report that will be higly appreciated.

Budrinna

[Endurorally]

Originally Posted by Sheikyabooty

Hey Jimosse,

Myself and Clare will be doing that route mid november too, on a couple of bikes and it would be great to meet up along the way!

Has anyone crossed the top of Libya from Tunisia to reach Egypt recently? What are the hassles?

[Chris Scott]

Has anyone crossed the top of Libya from Tunisia to reach Egypt recently? What are the hassles?

Last eastbound I heard of was in early June. See here. Regs may have changed since then and will doubtless change again.

I may have posted this email already, but to save looking, here it is again.

... We crossed Libya from Tunisia 1 week ago. We were in touch with Tidwa Tours before travelling and they were going to get us tourist visas but these are now only available at airports so we had to have a business visa 500 LD. With this we were told we did not need a guide but chose to have one anyway given the potential turmoil still in Libya.

Our biggest problem to start with was getting out of Tunisia at Ras Ajdir as we were told they did not allow foreign vehicles through this border and did not have the stamp available to stamp us out. We therefore had to drive to Dehibat where with a bribe the car was easily stamped out. Our next issue was that our Libyan visas were at Ras Ajdir where we were supposed to drive back to, but were told wecould now not re-enter Tunisia. We managed to get a stamp in our passports to enter Libya anyway (with the copy of visa) but then had a lot of officials saying it was not possible. Somehow, our guide managed to plicate them. We had to spend the night at the border as the temporary plates would not be ready until the morning.

We did not use our RAC carnet as they will not include Libya at present, and could not buy one as there is no office available. Once in Libya we travelled from Nalut to Leptis Magna. There were a few road blocks but they generally just waved us through. A lot of people waved, shouted 'free Libya' and held up the victory sign. We camped in the grounds of the youth hostel for free at Leptis Magna. We drove to Cyrene the next day and had several more road blocks, a few more time consuming were they had to register us as visitors but again they were friendly, apologetic and we did not encounter any problems. We crossed into Egypt on 15th June. We could not get our license plate deposit back as it was Friday and no one was working from accounts!

I don't know if we were just lucky not to have encountered any problems but our general feeling for the country was friendly, happy and looking to the future following the revolution. It is an amazing country, well what little we saw of it, and I hope it will soon be easier for other overlanders to use this route freely again. RT

[Roman]

Originally Posted by Budrinna

Hi Ruman
Its seems You read too much newspapers , came here and see

Hello mate,

I already have. I did travel across Libya twice in 2012 with a business visa. My short report must be still out there on the HUBB. Like the other foreign visitors writing here I found Libyans very freindly and the country being no longer a police state you often depicted in your posts.

I find the tone of your post patronising and uninformative. Give us useful information, latest news and analyses based on facts. Rumors are pretty useless here and create false impressions.

[Budrinna]

What You say is Your very own singular and personal impression because as said here we are all always happy . About latest news actually be informed that there are in Tripoli two bikes (three italian peoples) waiting the ok from their agency to head to aegyptian border. Budrinna gives always official and responsible news . If You travel as a tourist you need tourist visa, tircks and loop hole are not our informations you must know if you read us that never went and goes out from this point and that infos taken once upon the time in Africa , specially those times are not of our interest to report. This is said to anlyse the fact because as they are because as already said we no more involved in travelling assistance. By the way be also informed that last month ,in Italy has been issued a law for theirs national tralvellers, tourists travelling in place regardless advises given by their foreign affair , discording to the local laws , or out of a relaible purpose (tourismo not included) compelling them to pay all expence in case of thei rescue. Of course this will seem informative, and we agree with You , this is a type of news you [want] us to report because our intention is not to discourge tourism.
Will read your report to learn more.
Cheers .

[geoff0911]

All,

I have found the Libya info very useful. I am taking part in a trip from UK to Dubai via Libya, Egypt and saudi in 3 weeks. Our website is Destination Dubai 2012 ANY tips greatly appreciated!!!

Thanks in advance.

Geoff

[Trumpton]

I too have crossed Libya to Egypt from Tunisia & back during the Gadaffi era & also early in 2012 (post Gadaffi).
Each time I have been in Libya I have found the people genuinely friendly & pleased to see you............even more so this year, and that goes for the soldiers manning the many checkpoints and border posts as well.

As for tips, I can only say (especially if you are on 2 wheels) take care with the Libyan style of driving, dont read too much into Budrinna's posts, & most of all ENJOY, its just a shame that you will be passing through such an interesting country so quickly.

Andy