trip to Al Aweinat, Libya

[colombin]

Hello everybody ; On early april I plan going to Arkanu and Aweinat Djebels and coming back to Koufra via Mat'an Sarah ; any advice or experience on this trip ? thank you.

[Runner]

You will need a guide unless you are very experienced, with a good, reliable vehicle.

Have you got one sorted out?

[Luciano]

Hello, I've been in Jebel Uweinat last year (April 2006), not by bike but by car, with my Toyota 80, if you need any infos just ask what you need.
Also we hike 3-4 days in the heart of the mountain. You can read about our trip here:

Karkur Rouzzi, the last uncharted valley of Jebel Uweinat

La Luna dei Tebu 2 (Sahara.it)

[colombin]

Hello ; we are experienced people, it's our 10th trip to Libya, we've got a guide and our 5 vehicules are in good shape ; last year, in April, 300 km south Koufra,I have broken mine (after a big jump, I bent the two axles..and we had to go back) So, this year, we'll try to do better ; My track goes south along egyptian border till Arkanu and Aweinat, then West to Sarah well and then west again to get to the trail going North-Est to Rabianah and Koufra ; it's a long way, 1700 km and we know we have to be aware of mines..
But it should be better finding somebody just coming back from there with a fresh track.
Luciano, I was fascinated by your so interesting reports, bravo.
Thank you, best regards.

[Luciano]

From lybian border we went to Tripoli, Gharyan, Sebha, Tymessa, W Kebir, W Namous, Tazerbo, Buzeima, passed west of Kufra, direct to Jeb Uweinat.
Return driving more east and then through Kufra, Jalu.


L.

[colombin]

hello Luciano ; telling a "new fresh track" I mean south of Koufra in extrem west part of Libya near borders of Egypt Sudan and Chad.

[Luciano]

Probably you mean East (west you find Algeria :-))
Well we drove up east, but staying not to close to egyptian border (mines!!). Send you track if needed.

ciao
L.

[colombin]

Yes, I mean East, please excuse-me. I've got a recent track (early 2006) going very near of egyptian border, (about 5 km) and we intend driving it along.

[omar mansour]

hi good luck with your trip be aware this area is known route for bedouin smugllers between egypt and libya so dont follow them ,
oh by the way they are realy nice ppl ,once i broke my water pump in toyota fj45 ,and was in mid of the sand dunes south west of siwa oasis (in the egyptian side ) and at night a nice smugllers bedouins passed by us and they came back and give me extra pump they had with them
99% of those guys are from (awlad ali tribe )
and i belong also to awlad ali
cheers
omar

[colombin]

Thank you Omar for your warnings ; I hope not to meet mugglers and especially since my water pump is brand new...best regards.

[Budrinna]

Hi Columbin
All the border line is considered military zone not only in Libya. You will get in trouble if don’t have the right authorizations, specially in those time. Also high risk of mines. Italians recently got problems with. Suggeest to adice your embasssy prior travelling. May You will not meet smugglers, but miltary patrol for sure .

Cheers Budrinna.

[colombin]

coming back from south east of Libya without any problem ; no muglers, no mines ; we were just retained half day in Al Aweinat ; what a fantastic trip, 1700 km off road, 8 days without any contact (except the police in Al Aweinat), no animal, no camel, some very rare trees, a mineral desert, stones, canyons and sand, a lot of sand ; a dream. Regards.

[Chris Scott]

Good for you Colombin, glad to hear Al Aweinat is accessible from the Libyan side despite dire warnings.

Ch