Libya Travel Guide

As of October 2016 we strongly advise against all travel to Libya including essential travel. Until February 2011 Libya was free of terrorism, and (on par with Greenland) one of the safest tourist destinations in the whole world.

Libya after the disastrous and reckless UN's bombing campaign of March 2011 has become the world's "Jihadist wonderland", infested with terror, radicalism, intermittent clashes across the country, and political chaos. Crime has shot up by 500%, with Tripoli becoming the capital of "kidnapping" in the whole region.

There are now three installed governments in Libya fighting over the mess left over by the UN, as well as fighting various militias and terror groups that plighted the country as a direct result of the UN's bombing campaign that destroyed Libya's entire infrastructure without an exit strategy. America has started bombing targets in Libya again on August 2016; they said the bombing will last a few weeks, but it has been three months now and the bombing of Sirte (Gaddafi's home town) still goes on. The world's reverberating morality to protect the Libyans by all necessary measures continues to rain "hell".

A recent law, which came into effect on June 2009, stated that Libyan travel operators must apply for a Visa Authorisation Number to the immigration department in Libya, which will then be either used for visa on arrival or faxed to the specified Libyan embassy. The visitor then needs to visit the embassy to complete the visa process and collect the actual visa stamp, after completing the application form, providing passport photos, and paying the fees.

However, according to another new law, came into effect on the 2nd of August 2009, faxing the visa authorisation number to the embassy has been replaced by the old "visa approval", usually used to obtain visa on arrival, either at the airport or the land border. This procedure is still valid as of January 2014.

Usually ten working days from the day we receive your passport's bio page and your details. If you send us your documents in the morning, then ten days later your guide can meet you at the border or airport with the Libyan visa approval, which he will use to issue you with the visa stamp on the day of arrival. However, this period includes a few days extra, in case of unexpected delays, and therefore it is possible to complete the whole visa process in 4 working days.

Generally speaking most Libya's visitors arrive via Tripoli International Airport (TIP), located about 16 miles from the city centre, or Benghazi Airport; Ras Jdayr (Ajdir, Ajdir) land border with Tunisia; and Emsaad land border with Egypt. Currently there are no trains in Libya. Libya's land borders with Algeria, Niger, Chad and Sudan are often closed to tourists. International ferries from Izmir (Turkey), Tangier (Morocco) and Valetta (Malta) do serve the port of Tripoli, but services are unpredictable and infrequent. Most European travellers however arrive from either Marseille (France) or Genoa (Italy) to the port of Tunis in Tunisia, and then drive to Ras Jdayr overland. This is a very popular route for overlanders who come from Europe in their way to Egypt and the Middle East or all the way down to Cape Town in South Africa.

The passport must be valid for at least six months when you leave Libya, which means that if you intend to stay one month in Libya, the passport must be valid for at least seven months when you arrive in Libya.

All tourists and visitors have to register their passports with the Libyan police no later than one week after arrival. Your Libyan tour operator or travel agency will automatically arrange this for you. The fee for this service is normally about €10 (10 Euro). If you fail to do this then you may be fined upon departure, an amount which can vary depending on circumstances.

Like the majority of Libyans, we do not agree to "tipping". Please do not offer any tips to our employees and guides. You have paid for your holiday and we are very grateful. The practice is rife in neighbouring countries and elsewhere, but most visitors do not know that Libya is unique in this respect. Many European websites, including those of major tour companies, even specify the amount you need to tip! To make this low practice sound common law, they call it: gratuity - as if getting paid for a job is not good enough for being grateful.

 

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Most of our guides speak good level of English, and some speak French, Italian or Spanish. Many of these have lived in Europe or America in the past and understand the various accents involved. But there are those who never been to Europe and therefore they may find it difficult to understand all the different accents spoken by various visitors. As you might know speaking a language as a foreign language is always different from speaking your own native language, and therefore it helps if visitors be more considerate when speaking to other people in other countries. For example, they can speak slowly, instead of their usual fast tempo. Of course, visitors are free to speak the way they want, but considering the following recommendations will help towards achieving successful communication with the locals - after all language is all about successful communication:

1. Always speak with your listeners in mind.
2. Speak slowly.
3. Speak clearly - pronouncing all the words as clearly as possible.
4. Speak as formal as possible and do not use slang or unconventional words.
5. Use very short sentences with as little words as possible - straight to the point.
6. Use gesture wherever you can to explain - the universal language.
7. Use basic and common words instead of rare or advanced words.
8. Explain your point in very simple English.

If your are coming by car, motorbike, or lorry, then please read the following. In addition to the new flat payment introduced recently in Libya, motorists have to pay: insurance (between 10 and 20 Libyan Dinars, which covers between two and four weeks); license plate (about 114 Libyan Dinars, of which 100 dinars are refundable when you leave the country); and Carnet de Passage (Passages): (which is free if you have International Carnet de Passages en Douane).

What is International Carnet de Passages en Douane?
It is a document usually issued by a motoring organisation (for example, RAC in the UK) to allow temporary importation of a vehicle into certain countries without having to pay customs duties and taxes. These countries include: Africa, Middle East, Australia, New Zealand, Far East and (recommended for) South America. If you do not have this carnet, then you need to pay vehicle importation taxes (vehicle-taxes-and-charges.htm). The carnet has another function: if the vehicle fails to be re-exported out of the country, then the issuing club will be responsible for paying the required duties; and therefore, as a security the issuing organisation normally requires a cash deposit or a bank guarantee based on the value of your vehicle. If you are crossing Libya from Tunisia to Egypt, then we think you must have an International Carnet because in Egypt the duty is a staggering 800%.

If you are coming into Libya via Tunisia, then please be warned of Petrol mixed with water: do not buy cheap petrol from sellers by the side of the road in Tunisia: this petrol is illegally smuggled from Libya and sold in the Tunisian black market after it has been mixed with water (to make more profit). We know of several cases where some of our visitors had phoned us saying they will not make it to the border as agreed because their vehicles broke down, and we know of so many cases in Libya where cars are damaged because people initially did not know it was not pure petrol that they were buying while they were in Tunisia. Don't even think about it, if you want our advice.

It is not only not recommended to drive into the heart of the Sahara without a desert expert, but also Libyan law requires all tour operators to appoint a desert expert for every group of tourists entering the regions of al-Hamadah al-Hamrah, the Awbari Lakes, Acacus, Waw an-Namus, Waw al-Kabeer and other similar desert areas. The desert expert can also be the driver of your desert vehicle.

The tour guide is no longer compulsory. The term guide is often used by all tour operators, when in fact the correct word to use is "escort" or "companion", which is مرافق in Arabic, literally translates as "companion" (he who accompanies you). These "companions" are not necessarily experts in tourism and most of them have no professional qualifications as guides. They are employees of the tour operator or the travel agent who must accompany their visitors (according to the old law) during their tour or stay in Libya. Some visitors confuse these companions with proper qualified archaeological guides, and express dissatisfaction when they arrive in Libya and realise that their official escort knows nothing about Leptis Magna or Mori's mummy. Therefore if you need a qualified archaeological or museum guide, then you need to specify this clearly in your enquiry. Most museums and archaeological sites however have professional guides whom tourists can hire on the day. But even then these guides may not impress you as other guides might do in other countries where tourism is an established business. Please bear in mind that Libya was a closed country for a long time and it is only recently that her doors were conditionally opened to the outside world. The new ministry of tourism is said to be investing in training and preparing the country for proper tourism.

Please  keep in mind that domestic flights in Libya, especially those between the smaller airports, like Ghadames, Kufra and Ghat, are always subject to cancellation and delays, and therefore if domestic flights were requested to be used in our itineraries and then were cancelled upon or after arrival, the agreed itinerary will have to be changed to use alternative land transport. Flights between the main airports, namely Tripoli, Benghazi and Sabha,  are not normally affected, except the flights  between Sabha and Benghazi (which occasionally get delayed). For these reasons we usually include flights only between Tripoli and Sabha, and Tripoli and Benghazi, unless otherwise requested.

You must make sure you do not have an Israeli stamp in your passport, including those obtained at the Egyptian-Israeli and Jordanian borders (as of 2011). If you do have one, then you need to obtain a new passport, in order to visit Libya. We are unaware of any official changes applied by the new transitional regime. There was however one report of an Israeli journalist being granted Libyan visa shortly after liberation was declared.

 

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The following products and items are only a selection from a long list of items not allowed to be imported into Libya, and therefore visitors are advised to check that they have none of these items in their possession when entering the country. This list does not list all the prohibited items and it changes according to regulations. If you are in doubt regarding other items that are not mentioned here, please contact the Libyan embassy for their latest list of prohibited items. The list includes: products manufactured in Israel, alcohol & alcoholic products, drugs, pork & pork products, preserved meat, food (including tinned food) prepared with preserved meats and animal fats (which may contain pork products), poultry, obscene literature, toy guns and animal furs. The import of dogs and cats requires veterinary health certificate and a rabies inoculation card. 

The Libyan financial infrastructure is still under development and has a lot to learn and do. According to Libyan law you must not leave Libya with more money in your possession than the money you had when you first arrived. Visitors must also be in possession of a minimum amount of foreign currency equivalent to US$1000 (as of the new law of 2/8/2009) when they enter Libya. According to the website of the Libyan embassy in the USA, the following are exempt from providing the above sum:

1. Tourists arriving as part of a group via a tour operator where their living expenses are included in the package.
2. Visitors on official mission (mission visa).
3. Holders of student visa with expenses paid for by the Libyan government.
4. Visitors planning to join a resident of Libya providing that the resident guarantees to cover all the expenses including medical costs if needed.

Banks, ATM's, Travellers Cheques & Exchange Bureaus

Not all banks in Libya offer money exchange services. If you want to make sure you always have cash on you, then you need to change enough money while you are still in a large town or city. Exchange bureaus are also available in some areas; your guide should be able to tell you the nearest one to you. Generally speaking, cash is normally used by most tourists. Please note that small denominations (small money notes like ten and twenty Euro) will not be accepted by most banks (for large sums), and therefore make sure you take large notes with you instead.

Not many businesses accept credit cards in Libya, and ATM's are mostly found in the capital Tripoli, Benghazi, the main international airports, as well as in some cities like Zuwarah, Cyrene, Sirte and Musratha. As time goes by more machines are being installed in other towns and slowly and hopefully Libya will eventually catch up with the rest of the world when it comes to banking. However, whether these holes-in-the-walls will be always working or not, or full or empty, is a different matter. Please visit our Libyan money page for a list of ATM machines in Libya. Please note that the daily limit you can withdraw from any ATM machine in Libya is set by your own bank and often varies from 400 Libyan Dinars to 1000 Libyan Dinars, depending on type of card (with Gold being the higher limit). Some machines allow you to take out your transaction limit (400 or 1000) as many times in a day as you want, which means you can keep using the same machine over and over again until you withdraw all the money you need! Hopefully the CBL will attend to this too.

Travellers cheques cannot be widely cashed, and if you do find a bank that accepts them then you need to produce the document given to you by your bank when you purchased the cheques, showing your name and the serial numbers of the cheques.

Western Union shops are located inside the branches of Libya's Bank of Commerce and Development, and therefore will not be available after closing hours (around 3 pm).

 

Location of ATM's

You can use the following tool to search for the location of ATM machines in any country in the world including Libya:
www.visaeurope.com/en/cardholders/atm_locator.aspx

Also you can use Master Card ATM Locator Tool at:
www.mastercard.com/global/atmlocations/index.html

If you want to buy Libyan money, why then cannot you wait until you reach Libya? You do not need it in Tunisia, so why buy it in Tunisia? Beware of fake money, and take our advice: buy your Libyan money inside Libya from a Libyan bank.

For a full list of prices, please see our guide to prices in Libya.

 

Hidden Charges

The price you agree with us is the price to pay after arrival. Our agreed prices include a list of all the included services. If you have a vehicle, please check all the fees payable to the authorities, as listed here.

Unlike Egypt, Tunisia or Morocco, Libya remained free of "bargaining practices", where sellers have two sets of prices: one for local people, and another price for "whacking" foreigners on the pocket. As tourism began to slowly establish itself in Libya, the practice started to find its way into some of the southern desert sites, where the sellers are mostly non-Libyan dealers coming from Chad, Niger, Mali and other African countries. In other parts of Libya, like Tripoli and all the main towns and cities, most Libyans still charge one price for all. Let us hope it stays that way.

 

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GPS systems, gadgets and satellite phones are allowed into Libya, and therefore there will be no problem bringing them into the country. Satellite phones normally work in Libya, and it is possible to hire a satellite mobile phone in Libya. In fact GPS systems may become a requirement by law for tour operators to have, especially in the desert.

Travel insurance is intended to cover medical expenses and financial losses while travelling abroad including but not limited to loss of luggage,  emergency evacuation/repatriation, non-refundable pre-payments, such as deposits paid to travel agents, trip cancellation fees, theft of or damage to personal possessions and money including travel documents and passports, loss incurred as a result of bankruptcy of tour provider, curtailment, and accidental death while travelling.  Temporary travel insurance can usually be arranged with a travel and medical insurance provider to cover exactly the duration of your trip or holiday. There are different types of travel insurance, such as business travel, leisure travel and adventure travel, each covering certain activities and conditions and certain countries. However, please make sure that you choose an insurance that covers your destination and the activities about to take. Also note that there are certain conditions that are not covered, like injury or illness caused by alcohol or drug abuse, certain pre-existing medical conditions, and acts of terrorism or war; and that it is your sole responsibility to make sure you are fully covered for the whole duration of your stay in Libya. For example, going for an adventure skiing,  quad biking, or scuba-diving requires different insurance to cover the risks involved.

Ramadan is the month of fasting from sunrise to sunset. Tourists of other faiths are not expected to follow this, of course, but it would be better for all if they do not eat, drink or smoke in public. Many businesses and services will be either closed during the day or will run at a much slower pace, making travel during this period a different kind of experience. Eating in public can lead to problems and unnecessary confrontation with both: people and the law, and therefore we strongly advise all our visitors to eat and drink only indoors. Your guide will be with you to remind you, if you visit Libya during this month.

Do not discuss Libyan politics and stay away from any military sites. Do not take photos of border points or any military installations. Do not even use your camera close to any military or official site. Leave politics alone and do not get involved with political gatherings or demonstrators, and always avoid areas where oil extraction is taking place. 

Care while travelling must be taken wherever you are. Crime, and poverty-and-drug-related crimes, are a growing problem worldwide and Libya is no exception. But, generally speaking, conditions in Libya are much better than most countries and one should feel and be safe, given basic precautions were taken. Do not leave valuable items in your vehicle, but if you do, do not leave them easily visible. Do not leave your purse or wallet laying around on the beach unattended while swimming. Do not leave important and valuable things in your hotel room; some hotels provide a small safe for keeping valuable items. Secure your wallet and never put it in your back pocket, as pick pocketing in busy markets and crowded public transport is becoming more frequent.

Passport loss should be reported immediately to the Libyan police; do not leave it "for later" no matter what the circumstances are (your tour operator can take care of this once they know). According to the Libyan Tourist Board, most of the 16,000 UK visits in 2006 were trouble-free, and that the main type of incidents encountered by British visitors in 2007 was replacing lost or stolen passports. You are warned to keep your passport safe with you at all times and never leave it in your hotel room, in your guide's car, or anywhere else.

There were reports of crime being on the increase after the war, some branches by 500%; and hopefully the transitional rulers will succeed in restoring law and order.

 

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It is forbidden to possess, drink or traffic in alcohol in Libya. Please make sure you have no alcoholic drinks in your possession, and preferably do not drink before entering Libya. If alcoholic drinks were found in your possession at the entry point, then they will be taken away, logged in, and returned to you on exit (-if you are lucky). Drinking is very common in Libya, if not made more popular by Gaddafi's ban on alcohol in 1969. Dressing modestly will not deprive you of your rights, but will certainly make things easier. Foreign women in Libya can wear jeans and other ordinary European clothes, and they can keep their heads uncovered, except when in religious places. Narcotics may lead to long sentences and even life imprisonment in some cases. Use your common sense and respect other people's practices whenever you can.

Western women can swim in swim-suits and in bikinis (as of until 2011); just avoid crowded areas and find a good secluded spot and you will be fine. This has been always the case in Libya as long as you avoid public places and family beaches. Libya's coast is vast and your guide will always be able to find a good private place for you - away from everyone else. It is also okay in large tourist resources where the whole beach is mainly frequented by tourists and foreign visitors. There are also misconceptions regarding foreign women being hassled and whistled at by members of the public, to which we can say it is generally much safer in Libya than in many other countries for women to walk the streets without being hassled or harassed, as this kind of behaviour carries heavy legal punishment in most tourist countries. There were a number of worrying reports emerging from new Libya that might change all the aforementioned, only time will reveal the kind of freedom the Libyans have in store.

• Use common sense.
• Always dress modestly.
• Avoid kissing in public.
• Never talk about politics.
• Always remain calm in difficult situations.
• Always respect other's religious practices.
• Always kindly ask permission before taking photographs.
• Never point the soles of your shoes directly at other people.
• If invited to a house, please do leave your shoes outside (or do what everyone else does).
• Avoid smoking in people's homes, unless they are smoking.
• Always use your right hand when offering or receiving things, eating or shaking hands.
• Do not eat in public in Ramadan (the fasting month).
• Always use diplomacy to handle any arising issues.

 

In Europe driving is an advanced aspect of European society. In Libya, likewise many similar countries, driving is still way behind. The following are general guidelines a driver needs to bear in mind when driving or riding in Libya:

• Lack of total availability of road signs, and if found, they would be mostly in Arabic and therefore of no use to tourists and foreign visitors. If Libya truly needs to open its doors to international investors, then English needs to be incorporated across Libya.
• The inability of the police to enforce traffic laws across thousands of miles of roads prevents some drivers from observing basic driving regulations.
• The occasional Libyan wind-blown sand can render visibility very poor, and in many respects it is like driving in thick fog.
• Stray animals, like camels, especially at night, can be dangerous.
• The impossibility to anticipate the foolishness of some drivers, regardless of whether you are in Europe or Africa, always calls for vigilance.
• Driving to desert areas like Ghadames, at night, is also risky owing to the sudden build-up of sand mounds in the middle of the road; during the day, these can be easily spotted from a safe distance.
• Tour operators and travel companies are not allowed to drive with their visitors during night time because rural roads lack markings and therefore it is impossible to anticipate a turn or a bend; and because rural roads are littered with holes and cracks, some of which are really dangerous even during the day, and thus always let your operator drive ahead of you.
• High speed is one of the major causes of car accidents in Libya.

Car accidents in Libya are rapidly changing the lives of many Libyans and also leading to social and psychological consequences among the great majority of the Libyan population. Disturbing news reported recently by the Libyan Ministry of Public Security states that "60 People Dead, 123 Seriously Injured in 263 Car Accidents in Libya in One Week", between the 19th and the 26th of July 2008. The causes of  the accidents were said to include high speed, recluse driving, using cell phones while driving, and breaking traffic laws and regulations. These figures become more disturbing when one considers the small number of the Libyan population. So, take care, watch out, and good luck.

 

 

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Anti-personnel mines are only dangerous if you step on them, and driving over them would only harm your vehicle. Land mines in Libya are mostly found in the eastern parts of the country, like Tobruk, and even as far south as Kufra. These were left over from World War Two. The second danger zone is located by the southern borders with Chad, and between Serir Tibesti and the Rebiana Erg. Tourists are generally advised to avoid the regions bordering Chad and Sudan, not only because of land minds but also the risk of being kidnapped by terrorists coming from Chad and Sudan is always there. This danger has increased after the February wars in Libya, and therefore you are strongly advised to remain on the main road (while driving) and avoid venturing off road along the coast and towards Nafusa, until mine-clearing operations declare Libya safe!

Libya's climate around the coastal zone can be classified as Mediterranean and therefore is very similar to that of southern European countries. But deep south in the Sahara the climate is slightly different. Although the average year round temperature is about 30° degrees Celsius, it can be very hot during the middle of the day and freezing cold at midnight.

Cold

Generally speaking the winter temperature ranges between 8° to 16° C, with the coldest falling in  January and February, where the temperature occasionally drops to -2ºC, and can drop to as low as -9ºC (minus nine degrees Celsius). Near the end of December, say from the 27th of December, the surface of the desert becomes covered with a thin white layer very similar to frost in Europe, which turns the surface white and hence the name: "The White Nights", or "The Nights of The White". This layer disappears around the last week of January, usually the locals say by the 18th of January.

Heat

The hottest period in Libya ranges from end of May to September. The average July temperature is around 40°C degrees Celsius (about 104 degrees Fahrenheit), and therefore it is not surprising that the highest temperature in the world was recorded in Libya on the 13th of September 1922, in el-Azizia: a staggering 136.4 degree Fahrenheit (or 58°C: degrees Celsius). During this period the coastal temperature can rise to 38°C (100F), while in the southern parts of the country it can reach 50°C.

Wind

If you visit Libya around the month of May then you may encounter the massive Gibli winds – a dry, hot, sand-blasting wind and blizzards, most often rendering visibility very poor. In additions to this the wind can also shift  sand from one area to another, leading to the formation of sand dunes right in the middle of a tarmac road and  therefore it is very dangerous to drive at night; which probably can explain why driving at night in the company of tourists is against the law. The worst time to visit the Sahara is between March and April largely because of the wind: very windy almost every single day.

When To Visit Libya

In our view, we recommend two periods for visiting the southern parts of Libya: the first period is between October and December, and this is the period when tourism in Libya reaches its highest; and then it peaks again during the second period between late February and end of April, just before the summer. 

• Best time to visit Libya: October to December: not hot, not cold; just warm & clear sky (mostly).
• Coastal Libya: you can visit the coastal areas across the whole year.
• Western Libya: the best time is between September and May.
• Eastern Libya: ideal time to visit is between September and June.
• Sahara desert region: October to March: temperature drops below zero at night around January.
• Beach holiday and serious sun lovers: blistering June & July: best for taking a dip in the Med.
• Definitely no for desert tours: June to August.
• Windy Sahara: worst time to visit the Sahara is between March and April: very windy almost every single day.

For the latest weather forecast please visit the Libyan National Meteorological Centre ( www.lnmc.org.ly/ ).

The fuel stations along the Libyan coast are far more numerous than elsewhere and usually there is no need to carry fuel while driving along the coast. However, venturing into some desert areas, like the Murzuq, Idri, Tazirbu and Kufra regions, requires carrying extra fuel. The main fuelling points along the desert routes are: Zuwarah, Aljawsh, Nalut, Ghadames, Darj, Adiri, Sabha, (then east: Hun, Waddan, Zillah), Tkerkiba, Meknosa, Awbari, Awaynat, Ghat, Murzuq, Traghen, Zueila, Tmessa, Tazerbu, (then south to Kufrah), Jalu, Awjla Ajdabiya, Benghazi, Tolmeitha, Apollonia, At Tamimi, and Tobruk. Please see our map of the fuelling points in Libya.

Swimming in Libya is generally safe and everyone does it. But nonetheless one should know that pollution-related hazards do exist, as in most beaches around the world, caused mainly by seaport industrial activity, unauthorised dumping, sewage, and chemical plants. Oil tankers roaming the Mediterranean are also a source of black, soft, asphalt-like lumps which collect on some beaches. These are easily spotted, and the locals have accustomed to them. Jelly fish, some of which can be big, are also a source of nuisance and can be very painful.

Farwa: the Farwa peninsula, 20 km east of Tunisian border, has been proposed for cage/pen culture activities in the past, but trial mussel rearing failed in 1988; probable causes include shallow water, poor flushing times by currents, and pollution hazard potential from the nearby chemical plant of Abu-Kammash, which was reported to have developed problems with its cooling system that may have leaked mercury-contaminated water into the sea. Local natives however continue to swim and eat fish caught in the region.

Abu-Kammash Sabkha : extensive salt marsh straddling Libyan-Tunisian border area, rich in natural Artemia population. Artemia is a fairy shrimp of the genus of Phyllopod crustacea, typically found in salt lakes and brines. Walking across the Sabkha is very risky, and there were several cases of people sinking to their death. So if you happened to be exploring these lakes, bear in mind that what appears to be an ordinary crusty salt on the surface may hide a blackhole beneath.

Sabratha - Tripoli - Musrata: stretch of coastline with relatively high rainfall and developed agriculture; alternating between low rocky areas, cliffs, and sandy beaches. Extreme environmental degradation due to quarrying between Sabratha and Janzour, and to pollution and shoreline destruction from Janzour to Tajura.

Mina Qasr Ahmed:   deep water harbour for medium size boats, 210 km east of Tripoli. Localised pollution hazards.

Benghazi: Libya's second largest city, major deep sea harbour and industrial centre. Pollution hazards.

Abu Dzira Lake Complex: a complex of small freshwater lakes located southeast of Benghazi, the largest of which is Abou Dzira, about 10 km along the main highway to al Bayda. Pollution problems and threats from sewage, rubbish, and disease outbreaks in cultured fish.

Marsa Eshoush (Echouch): 2 km east of Tobruk police gate: excellent sheltered anchorage with several good beaches and wadi mouths; with potential pollution hazards from oil terminal.

 

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For full details and qualified information please consult your doctor or clinic about the necessary vaccinations needed. Anything else you read in any website must be taken for information only. However, generally speaking vaccinations against tetanus, rabies, polio, typhoid and hepatitis A and B are needed, and if you are coming from a country affected by yellow fever, then a valid Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate is required. Yellow fever is considered to be endemic in 32 African and 11 Central and South American countries. The World Health Organisation provides a list of yellow-fever-endemic countries. It is generally recommended to avoid drinking tap water; wash your hands well before eating; and avoid swimming in fresh water. Swimming in salty lakes, as those of the Sahara, is internationally considered safe.

• Hepatitis A & typhoid: from direct contact, water, ice, fruits, vegetables. Use bottled water, cook your food, avoid salads.
• Hepatitis B: from coming in direct contact with body fluids, like surgery, sexual intercourse, etc. 

 

Desert weather is so cold during the winter that temperature drops below zero at night. Therefore we strongly recommend you take with you thermal suits or vests, woolen hat, thin wool jumpers, warm thick socks and a good sleeping bag. Wearing a number of thin layers rather than a few bulky garments can be more effective in keeping cold at bay.   The following items are recommended, but many of them are not essential. Some of the items listed are useful only for desert trips:

Visa approval (if you are flying to Libya): we send you this around one week before arrival.
Solar charger (for camera and phone)
International voltage & plug adaptor
Small rucksack
Thermal suits (or vests)
Thermal long underwear (the winter desert gets very cold at night)
Woolen jumper & hat
Warm insulated jacket
Good sleeping bag for winter visits (we do provide new blankets, sheets and mattresses for desert tours)
Inflatable pillow (we do provide new pillows for desert tours)
Gloves
Good boots (hiking boots)
Spare boot laces
Warm socks (few pairs)
Sunhat
Suncream
Moisturising cream
Insect repellent
Snake bite kit
Small first aid kit
Toilet roll
Antiseptic wipes
Water purifying tablets
Paracetamol (headache tablets)
Medicine (if you taking any)
Vitamins
Toothbrush & paste
Earplugs
Torch/flashlight
Sunglasses
Binoculars
Digital camera
MP3 player
Mobile phone
Compass
Batteries
Plastic bags & seals
Small nylon bags
Safety pins
Sewing needle & cotton
Travel guides
Maps
Notebook & pens
Next of kin details
Cash (traveller's cheques and ATMs are rarely available)
International driving licence (if you have one)
Air tickets (if you are flying to Libya)
Travel insurance policy details
Passport
US$1000 (may be still required by law for independent visitors to have when they enter LIbya). If you have booked your holiday with us or with any other Libyan operator then you do not need to have this amount on arrival.

 

Please let us know if you have anything you need to comment on regarding any of the issues covered above. Your feedback will be greatly appreciated and will help other travellers find out as much as they can about Libya.