visas for libya

[Sam Rutherford]

Libya is presently not safe for tourists, and the situation is not improving.

We are no longer helping with tourism visas.

We are still facilitating for business/government and NGO clients, but in combination with a personal security detail (with them for the duration of their stay in the country).

Safe travels, Sam.

[Brynja]

Interesting read, I am planning a solo journey through east Africa next summer, and am having the same problem of getting my MC to the continent. I am glad to read that people have had good experiance in Libya, it would be my first choice if possible. Although being a solo female traveler, maight make it a bit more tricky. Has anyone hade a more recent experiance? or for you who have done the trip, what is your take on the woman issue?
Kind regards
Brynja

[Chris Scott]

I think the first line of Sam's comment from January is even more apt today.
For that reason I do not know of any tourist who has crossed Libya this year, compared to the handfuls in the previous year or two (all brisk transits but without problems, if not outright warm welcomes).

While the factions are chiefly involved with having it out with each other, rather than focussed on targeting foreigners (as has happened elsewhere in the Sahara), I imagine it would make a transit tense. All it takes is one AQIM-minded nutter to want to prove himself; ex-pat foreigners have been killed.

Things may quieten down, but it may be a while before they actually improve to the point where tourists will feel safe to dash across again.

Ch

[Dave The Hat]

As Chris says very few crossing Libya. I used to work with Lucy who is part of the Shifting Sands project.....they crossed Libya just a few months ago (along the coast) their website has some good info and photos on the route they took.

Yefran to Misratah - Shifting Sands

[liammons]

Originally Posted by Brynja

Interesting read, I am planning a solo journey through east Africa next summer, and am having the same problem of getting my MC to the continent. I am glad to read that people have had good experiance in Libya, it would be my first choice if possible. Although being a solo female traveler, maight make it a bit more tricky. Has anyone hade a more recent experiance? or for you who have done the trip, what is your take on the woman issue?
Kind regards
Brynja

Its very very bad, worse than Jan. We had a boat dock about 6 weeks ago and the 2 Irish guys on board weren't even allowed off deck in the port, never mind get out of the port itself

[Chris Scott]

It was a bit hard to follow when and where [actually this post was most helpful], but it sounded like the Shifting Sands duo had the same non-threatening experience this year as transit tourists from previous recent crossings.

As overland travellers know well, the dramatic events which the media love to pick up on (and which employers of ex-pat and overseas govt ministries must act on) don't always correlate with tourists' experience on the ground. This has particularly been the case in Libya, which gives the country some hope.

Ch

[liammons]

Originally Posted by Chris Scott

It was a bit hard to follow when and where, but it sounded like the Shifting Sands duo had the same non-threatening experience this year as transit tourists from previous recent crossings.

The dramatic events which the media love to pick up on (and which employers of ex-pat and overseas govt ministries must act on) don't always correlate with tourists' experience on the ground. This has particularly been the case in Libya, which gives the country some hope.

Ch

I would agree with that, however our guys were pretty much told they could get off the boat if they wanted to, an were advised not to. BUT,rolling into town (and into a major port) on a good sized EU registered ship is a great way to draw attention.

[Dave The Hat]

The Shifting Sand girls reported no problems at all really....but it was a couple of months since they went through and it sounds like the situation has deteriorated further since then (they're currently in Turkey).

[Sam Rutherford]

We've pulled all our non-Libyan guys out. Too expensive (too high risk).


The only work we're now doing there now is supplying armed (local) escorts to mostly Arabic clients.


Tripoli has become dangerous (which it was never before, even during the actual revolution).


Read the news, and don't rely on 'being lucky' - you may not be.


Travel safe (somewhere else), Sam.






PS in any event, the beautiful part is in the south which is completely off limits.