Situation in Libya / March 2005
 

We just arrived in Dirkou (Niger); some information about Libya:

- invitation by Libyan agency still required, we were very happy with AZJAR TOURS /LIBYA [azjartours@yahoo.com]; our guide was Mohammed Charrif, very reliable, fluent in English; cost per day including car and guide: 115 €

- Tunesian border: no problem, 3 hours

- Akakus: possible with own car from Ghat, no special / local guide required

- exit formalities towards Niger: Mohammed, owner of former Italian fort in Al Katrun, arranges all formalities, can also provide a guide (not compulsory); last tourist on this pist one month ago;

All the best

Maryse and Albert

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Thanks for the report!

Did you see anyone traveling without a guide or did you have any other indication that this would be possible?

Thanks, very interesting!

If you happen to pick up some news about the security situation/bandit activity in Northern Niger (Djado plateau, Tenere, Air), I would be very thankful if you could share it with us.

Happy travels,
Michiel.

- we didn't see anyone without a guide, seems to be a must. no way to leave the border without a guide (we tried)

- security Northern Niger: everyone will tell you that it's safe for the time being...In fact we only met smugglers, some of them very nervous themselves, in this area. Mohammed, the owner of the Fort in Katrun, advised us to travel with a smuggler or to be accompanied by an armed policemen. We chose the second option.

We were happy when we arrived in Agadez...

Have a safe trip

Maryse and Albert

¡Hola Albert!, thank you for all the usefull information. We are a mixed Spanish-Belgian group planning to travel, next winter, from Belgium to Lybia and if possible head on to Niger (the same trip you just did, I think).
We have some doubts about how to obtain the visa to Lybia. It seems that the only way to get one, is having a local travel agency to do it for you. Did you arrange your visa with AZJAR TOURS? And how much did you pay for it. The 115€ per day for the guide also includes the visa or just the guide and his car? How about his food, lodging and fuel? Do you think it's necesary to have a guide or is it compulsory. I'm sorry, I have so many questions, but the Libian embassy in Madrid is not very cooperative and it's very difficult to get up to date information. I hope you can help me out or at least put me on the right track. Thanks a lot! Carlos

Visa: for the time being you need an invitatoin from a Libyan agency. AZJAR TOURS sent our invitation to the Libyan Embassy in Brussels, we got our visa within 3 days without the slightest problem. The cost for the invitation was included in the daily rate of 115€

Food, lodging: we are travelling in a fully equipped truck. If you cannot sleep in your car we recommend a tent, no security problem within Libya.

Fuel: 8 Cent per Liter

Guide : compulsary.

Have a safe trip

Albert