I agree that the border building and some of the procedures are some of the worst around ...

But here's a bit of hope for anyone planning to come this way. I crossed in the beginning of December 2013, and it was far better than I had imagined after reading reports of other travelers. The Egyptian side took about 6 hours (immigration + customs). The immigration guys were friendly (guiding me around, offering tea), but the process and the state of the place is something that will be remembered ;-) The fact that I did not have a visa certainly didn't accelerate things, but they do now have the ability to issue visas at the border. After the 'special interview' they were very proud to show that I had to pay only $15 in total as it says on the visa. The most annoying thing is unpacking all your stuff about every 50m, but humor can accelerate this a lot.

Customs is more of a mess, but I managed with about 100 EUR total cost, and 3h time. That included insurance, plates, Egyptian license, official fees, and the other 'fees'. I argued my way out of a lot of the other 'fees', but then I didn't want to stay there forever, so gave in to some of them ...

I'm not sure what makes the difference in treatment, whether it's the political situation, your nationality, the moon phase, your attitude, how much love the officer's wife gave last night or whatever, but just try to smile a lot and do your 'look I'm going around the world dance' with showing pictures and flags, and you should be fine :-)

That was funny and in fact egyptions are so funny people to the point you just pay as you laugh.

You crossed recently over there! Could you kindly tell me my friend how is the situations when you crossed libya? I am thinking to travel in a month time from now. The main cities and road secuirty along the way. I called some people who live there and they gave me mixed opinions that confiused me so much.


Thanks for you delighted story.

Thanks Sirakor for your report about your recent Egyptian border's crossing .

RR

Libya was great, very friendly people, amazing sights (e.g. Leptis Magna, most wonderful Roman city in the world to my knowledge), fuel at 6 ct/liter - what more can you ask for? And half the time the petrol station guys refuse payment and try to give you money instead, how cool is that?

Border crossings were very easy for me, about 45min from Tunisia into Libya total, 15min out of Libya (and then the 6h into Egypt). Security was no problem at all when I was there. Militias at junctions/roundabouts in Tripoli, and some roadblocks, but the guys either waved me through, or stopped me to invite me for tea/food/etc. Amongst others I stayed in Sabratha, Misratha, Leptis, Sirt, Ajdabyah, Shahat, Tobruk and didnt have any problems. In Sirt I had so many invitations for places to stay that it was a really difficult choice ;-) Also it is very easy to camp along the Med, as there is a small dam between the road and the sea. If you go over that, you can put your tent right on the beach, out of sight from the road.

The only place to be avoided to my knowledge is Derna in the northeast, Libyas Salafist/AQIM/etc headquarter. There had been some kidnappings and fights before I passed through, and I was advised to stay well clear of it. Originally the police wanted to give me and escort, but I managed to convince them that with the powers of my GPS I will manage to stay clear of it. In the end I messed up and passed through, but there had been so many reports of staying away from this place, that I would try follow the advice.

Great source of information on Egypt crossing Sirakor.
I just have one question
Did you enter Egypt with a carnet de passage?

I'm not sure what makes the difference in treatment, whether it's the political situation, your nationality, the moon phase, your attitude, how much love the officer's wife gave last night or whatever, but just try to smile a lot and do your 'look I'm going around the world dance' with showing pictures and flags, and you should be fine :-)


I would definitely agree with the above statement...well said.

Sirkor,

That was great update I will be there soon crossing as will via eldahiba Tunisian border entry.


Thanks.

Thanks Sirakor for your report.
Budrinna

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Budrinna Co.

Yes. Out of all countries in the world Egypt is definitely not the one to show up without a Carnet.

Some people claim to manage without, but it will be the biggest headache you can imagine, and it will cost you so dearly that having a Carnet is the cheaper, faster and easier way.

Libya on the other hand, does not require a Carnet (anymore)

Thanks for the info. Much appreciated!

Cheers,

Gee

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Travels with Thimba
eBOOK!

Thanks a lot Sirakor for your infos!
And what about your visas?
RR.

Hi guys,

we are planning another Transafrica trip, not by bike though, but 4 wheels. 4 years ago, under the Gaddafi regime, we had needed a guide but now I have also heard from people getting their visa at the border? Is it still compulsory to have a guide? Plan to go in March/April.

Cheers

I agree with Sirakors experiences.

We came trough Libya last week and had an amazing time!
Border crossing into Libya was easy and fast:
We paid 40 Ld for insurance and 100 for licence plates (which we got back when leaving the country). We where supposed to get a Libyan carnet, but the office was closed so we went on without one. (never causing any problems).
In Libya we have spent little money because people invited us for sleeping, bought us fuel, gave us food etc. There is so much hospitality it is hearth warming!

Border crossing into Egypt took us 8 hours....
But besides the long waiting we had a very positive experience:
We got help from policemen, one took us around from office to office while another one guarded our bikes .
Everyone was very friendly and we where never asked for "gifts" and had never the idea that bribing would speed up the procedure.
We got food and drinks from the police while waiting.

At the Egyptian border we paid:
225 for the Visa
90 for processing fee/ rubbings chassis number (no receipt)
502 for processing/stamping the carnet
140 for licence plates and license
60 for insurance

All in Egyptian pound.

I may have mixed up some of the amounts, but in the end we paid a total of 1015 pound p.p. to cross the border (about 105 euro).



For Libya you need a business visa which allows you to travel without a guide.
The visa will cost you about 250 euros.
For obtaining the visa I strongly recommend Tidwa travels (Masoud), he will help you with everything (just email him with your questions).

Cheers,

Peter

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www.amsterdamtoanywhere.nl

Thanks for the answer! On our first trip, we also noticed how friendly those guys are! And for us personally, Sudan was even more open and friendly than we would have expected!

The procedures in Egypt always reminded me of the one Asterix movie, where Asterix had to get a paper in a Roman government building full of civil servants and got sent around.

Well, that´s quite expensive for a business visa, but thanks for the hint with this tour agency, I will write them a mail. When we crossed Libya from border to border we paid 500 EUR for a guide for 4 days! So we hoped to save a little on that one. Will see...

Happy travels!

Tunisia: no visa, entry stamps etc at the border, took about 30min incl perwork to import the bike

Libya: business visa from the embassy in Berlin, after getting the invitation/approval code through Tidwa Tours. Approval number took 3 days, the visa 2 days, and the application has to be made in person at the embassy

Egypt: visa at the border for USD 15, plus the aforementioned dance to get the bike in

Sudan: visa from the embassy in Berlin, required all sorts of documents (passport copies, vehicle doc copies, Carnet copies, hotel booking, detailed itinery, cover letter), but after that it was easy. 3 day express by mail as advertised didnt work, they only started processing it after I showed up there in person (was in Berlin anyways for the Libyan visa). Supposedly the consulate in Aswan is also an easy place to get this visa

Ethiopia: visa from the consulate in Frankfurt, 20 EUR for 3 months multiple entry, 3 days by mail

Kenya: embassy in Addis, 3 days. Only necessary if you go the Turkana route, otherwise its available at the Moyale border

All others: at the border enroute

Bear in mind that this could change depending on your nationality, I have two German passports