When it comes to camping, Libya is the place. Huge expanse
of
sand, beaches and endless desert. Sleeping in the Sahara amidst
sand dunes, under a quilt of dazzling stars, is unique, absolutely free,
and amazing with some mythical background about the constellations.
Permanent camp sites are available in several places, particularly
in the desert. Bringing your own sleeping bag is well recommended, as
we neither encourage sharing nor provide them. These camping
sites consist of thatched huts with shared shower facilities, a kitchen, small
restaurant, fold up tables, and electricity source for your campervan.
Concerned
organisations have stressed the need to use these camps only when necessary to
reduce the strain put on local water resources. Be prepared to experience some
mosquito nuisance, locally reduced by fire-smoke, eating raw garlic or using
nets. This is part of the Sahara's wild life, as preserved in the nearby name Waw
an-Namus,
which means 'the oasis of mosquitoes', due to the small lakes surrounding the
extinct volcano.
Free Camping
If you are travelling along the coast of Libya, then camping
by the beach is allowed, apparently, only if your vehicle can reach the beach,
as you can do in Zuwarah for example. But in areas where the beach is not accessible
directly, you must use one of the designated places (see below). Camping in the
Sahara is also free and sites are most often chosen by the guides and the desert
experts - but you can let them know the places of your choice.
However, desert winter months are very cold at night, and
temperature can drop below freezing point (between November and February), and
therefore if you are travelling during this period, a good tent and heavy sleeping
bags are needed. The recommended time for travel across the desert is between
October and April, and most tours to the Acacus region do not take place between
the end of May and August.
Normally your guide will set up the tent in a good
spot for you, but if you fancy to sleep outside the tent just take your
sleeping bag outside and see the ancient world still clutching to the sky. You
can always go back inside the tent if the sky seems so close.
Camping Places
Camping along the coast is subject to changes in
regulations. According to new Libyan travel regulations, tourists travelling
along the coast, from border to border, can camp in a number of designated sites,
mostly parking gardens of
hotels and youth hostels, for a fee of 10 Libyan dinars. These
restrictions probably have disappeared with the ousted regime in 2011, and most
likely will be replaced by other restrictions such as "safety" and "land mines".
If you ask us to design an itinerary for you and
also request camping to be included, then we will plan your tour so that you
will be camping in the approved locations. Some police stations can also allow camping around their compounds, if necessity requires.
Designated Camping Locations:
Zuwarah: coming from the Tunisian border, you will head for Zuwarah, and
camp in various locations by the beach.
Sabratha: the next allowed spot is Sabratha, about 40km from Zuwarah, either
in the parking space opposite the archaeological site, or in the car park of
the youth hostel.
Tripoli: Alkabeer Hotel (Grand Hotel).
Leptis Magna: the Tourist Village.
Sirte: hotel parking space.
Ajdabiya(h).
Cyrene: youth hostel.
Apollonia: either at the Tourist Village or Almanarah Hotel.
Tobruq: (Tobruk): Dar Alkhaleej.
Alburdi (Alburdi hotel).
Desert Camping Sites
There are several camping sites in Fezzan, some of which may
no longer be operational, or may become full during certain months, like December
and January:
One of the most popular camping sites in the Sahara, located
about 12km southwest of Sabha, off the road to Awbari and Germa. Huts cost about
10 LYD per person with shared bathroom; breakfast about 5L
Address:
Fezzan Campsite
(12 km into the road to Awbari)
Sabha
Libya
Contact: Mob: +218 92 5131987 - 92 5131967
Fezzan Campsite
Adad or Acacus Camp
This is a fixed camp in Adad, Acacus. Only fixed accommodation
is offered here. 150 LYD for a double hut. The price includes full facilities
(shower, toilet, hot water).
A view of the fixed campsite in Adad, Acacus, Fezzan, Southern Libya.
Dar Awiss
Dar Awiss Campsite; built in the 1998, refurbished in 2006.
The campsite consists of 30 large tents (4,50 x 3,50 m),
each of which has a wooden floor and supported through a wooden frame, and covered
with golden and blue canvas, to reflect both: the Tuareg's favourite colours
and the sky-sand combination of the mysterious surrounding landscape; which may
have originally inspired the Tuareg to hold such colours with great respect.
Also a large Berber tent, lavishly furnished with traditional cushions and mats,
is often used to welcome guests. Each tent comes with a veranda at the front,
and an en-suite bathroom with running water and a shower. The use of running
water in such critical and harsh conditions did not go unnoticed.
Idri (Adiri) Abandoned Camping Site
The Idri camping site is now deserted, and offers no services.
It can however be used as a camping stop in the route from Derj to Sabha. Please
avoid leaving bottles and cans behind.
Hotel & camping complex, Cyrene, Cyrenaica, Eastern Libya.
See 3 star hotels (under Cyrene) for more photos.
Camping Fees
Camping away from camping sites is free. Camping in camping
sites involves paying small fee. Prices vary from camping site to another:
Thatched hut = between 5 and 15 Libyan dinars per a person, depending on
site. 45 lyd for a double hut.
Setting up own tent = about 10 Libyan dinars.
Parking vehicle
&
connecting it to electricity source = about 10 Libyan
dinars.
Camping Guidelines
Please Remember not to leave any rubbish behind and do not
burry it; only bury your own waste where there is no toilet.
Tins, plastic, batteries, glass, tampons, condoms and other
artificial material should be taken back to camping sites for proper disposal
or to the nearest village or town. If you see members of your tour operator abusing
this convention, do not feel embarrassed to remind them. Some tourists minimize
this by taking their own supplies in reusable containers.
Not many people know why water bottles are shaped the way
they are (with lines and grooves across them); these lines are designed for squashing
the bottle to around a fifth of its original size, as follows: remove the top,
place your hand under the bottle, then push the top of the bottle all the way
down and immediately replace the top (the lid) before releasing it to prevent
air going back in. Like this you will end up with much less rubbish to carry
back, with you.
Do not take wood from living trees, only use dead wood found
about, and therefore it is a good idea to collect good wood during your day travel
to use at night, rather than wait until dark and then start looking for wood
in the desert.
Do not pour water over prehistoric paintings in order to
bring their colour out for good photos, as has been reported, and do not scratch,
sign or autograph your name near the painting. Free software is available online
which allows one to retouch photos with one click.
