Camel Safari Tours A, B & C: 

 

Small Group Tours:

Unlike most tour companies we have no minimum requirement to take part in our tours.

You can come along by yourself, with a friend, or with a group of friends. However, coming with a friend nearly halves the price of your tour. We believe committing to quality is good for you, for the environment and for the local culture as well.

You can also take part in a group tour if you prefer group tours and if there are groups matching your specifications (date, destinations, etc.) which you can join.

If you are just looking for an operator to put together an itinerary for your private group, then we will be delighted to design a program to suit your needs, regardless of the number of individuals in the group. Just let us know the number of visitors in your group and the kind of services required and we will do the rest.

 

The word safari is African in origin. It is found in Berber (Tamazight) safer ('travel'), and in Swahili -safar ('journey').  It appears that the word itself had traveled from Africa to Asia, where it entered Arabic as assafer ('travel'). From Asia the word farther traveled across the borders to reach England rather lately in 1890 as safari, with the meaning of "an expedition or tour, especially in Africa, for hunting or observing animals." In contrast, today's Apple's Safari is used to surf the Internet.

 

A unique chance to travel the Sahara desert the way early pioneers did: on camels, surrounded by mystery, silence and total peace, and experience the Tuareg's way of life and travel. If you have not done this before, don't worry, as your caravan leader will show you how to kindly handle your desert-ship. These safari trips are suitable for individuals, groups or for the whole family to enjoy. There are various routes for trekking tours, mostly follow the following sites:

The first route starts from Awaynat - then heads for Acacus via Adad - Awiss - then Ramlet Wan Casa and on to Wadi Tashwinat. (See CST29A: this page: 15 days).

The second starts from Awaynat - the haunted rock fortress of Idinen (or the Fortress of Ghosts, north of Ghat) - Albir Assakhen (the Hot Well or Spring) - Tin Lalen - Wadi Tashwinat - Acacus. See tab Safari C (CST29B: 12 days).

The third route is really magical: exploring the lakes of the Awbari Sand Sea, from one lake to another, across the sand dunes. Truely unique experience. See tab Safari C (CST29C: 10 days).

Upon arrival in Tripoli you will be met by your escort, who will complete the entry formalities for you, and escort you to your hotel. An afternoon walk along Tripoli's shore, then explore the busy city centre.

Morning visit to the Assaraya Alhamra Museum for a virtual tour of Libya's history; followed by a walk around the Old Medina. Then head for Tripoli Airport for the flight to Sabha. Transfer to the hotel.

Today you will begin your Acacus adventure driving from Sabha to Awayant. You will meet your safari leader and start your camel trekking by learning how to ride and handle your desert ship, and prepare for your camel trekking adventure across the spectacular landscape of Acacus and its unique valleys. From now on you will be camping in the desert.

1. Awaynat - Adad, about 30 km
2. Adad - Awiss, about 50 km
3. Awiss - Yehideen - Ighaher Mellen (the White Valley), about 50 km
4. Ighaher Mellen - Tin Lalen, about 40 km
5. Tin Lalen - Inidee (drawings) - In-Taharin (more drawings) - Tashwinat (more drawings)
6. Wadi Tashwinat
7. Wadi Tashwinat - Ih Rekka
8. Ih Rekka - anshal
9. Tanshalt - Afozedzhar (Afozedhar or Forzhaga Arch)
10. Tin Tuareg (Tkherkhouri)

 

Today you will begin your journey back to civilisation and head for Sabha, for the flight to Tripoli, transfer to the hotel.

Transfer to Tripoli International Airport for the flight home, or drive to the Tunisian border.

 

How this holiday makes a difference?

We are a Libyan tourism company operating from Libya, we employ local services, and all our camping staff, drivers and desert experts are locals. This means that all operational costs of our tours pour directly into the Libyan economy, and booking your holiday directly with us would make a big difference to all of us in Libya. We provide real experience holidays by arranging for our visitors to meet and mix with the local people, camp and stop anywhere they like, customise their itineraries, attend cultural events and festivals where applicable, and visit local families and try traditional foods. To help preserve and support our local culture and heritage we have provided comprehensive guides and free coverage in our website of local festivals, crafts, industries, rock art galleries, and have created Libya's first online museum of Libyan museums for the world to see and visit, free of charge. Needless to say Libya's archaeological sites are nearly empty most of the time and thus provide a unique and private touring experience. Read more about our Responsible Travel Policy here.

 

This safari trip, similar to to CST29A (Camel Trekking Program A), is designed for those who want to spend more time in Acacus and less in the road from Tripoli, and therefore reducing the cost by 3 days. The journey starts from Tripoli - a direct flight to Sabha - then drive to Awaynat (then and/or to Ghat) for the night. Trekking starts on the following morning for full 7 days, before returning to Sabha, then to Tripoli.

Arrival at Tripoli Airport (or via the Tunisian border) and transfere to the hotel. An evening walk and meal in Tripoli.

Flight to Sabha, then drive to Awbari, Awaynat (and/or to Ghat) for the night - depending on time of arrival. The exact stops and minor details are all customisable.

 

1. You will begin your trekking tour from Ghat - Tanezzouft (near the Fortress of Ghosts) - night at Tenezzouft
2. Tin Ghlashoun - Tin Lalen - night at Tin Lalen
3. Tin Lalen - Inidee - Tin Tahar - night at Tin Tahar
4. Tin Tahar - Wadi Tashwinat - night at Tashwinat
5. Trekking across Tashwinat - Tin Khliqa (Tin Halega) - night at Tin Khliqa
6. Tin Khliqa - Ih Rekka - night at Ih Rekka
7. Ih Rekka - Afozedzhar (Afozedhar or Forzhaga Arch): the giant stone natural arch.

Drive back to Sabha, via Germa and Tkerkiba. Transfer to the hotel for a good night of rest.

Morning flight back to Tripoli, transfer to the hotel, then a short drive to visit Leptis Magna. Return to Tripoli for the night.

Departure & farewell.

                                              Itinerary Code:  CST29C         Duration:  10 Days

This camel trekking tour is designed entirely around the Awbari Lakes, crossing, on camel, from one lake to the other, and crossing from one sand dune to the other over a period of seven days. Please note that although some like to camp just by the lakes, you are advised to camp away from the actual lakes, to avoid the annoying mosquitoes that thrive by the water. This is a wonderful experience to sleep 5 nights beneath the desert's sky watching an amazing display of dazzling stars and clusters of mythical constellations.

 

Arrival at Tripoli Airport (or via the Tunisian border) and transfer to the hotel. An evening walk and meal in Tripoli.

Flight to Sabha, then drive to nearby Tkerkiba for the night in the camp.

 

1. H'ofret H'alimah Lake, about 10km from Tkerkiba, then continue trekking towards Mah'rouga Lake for the night.
2. Mah'rouga - Gaberoun Lake, about 15km, night nearby Gaberoun lake.
3. Gaberoun lake - Mafo, about 15 km, then camping at Arramla, after Mafo.
4. Mafo - Umm Almaa, between 15 and 20 km, night nearby.
5. Umm Almaa - Mandara, night at Arramla
6. Arramla - Tkerkiba - then Sabha, for a night's rest in a hotel.

Morning flight back to Tripoli, transfer to the hotel, then a short drive to visit Leptis Magna. Return to Tripoli for the night.

Departure & farewell.

 

Set Your Own Price:

Generally speaking we are committed to providing good tours at reasonable price without compromising on quality. In fact our system allows you the freedom to pay for the quality level you require.

There are various factors that can affect the price. For example, some visitors want 4-star hotels, others want 3-star hotels, while there are those who prefer to use hostels or camp in the open beneath the desert's stars. Some tourists want food included in the price, while others prefer to travel light. The time chosen to visit Libya will also influence the costs, as heavy demand on scarce services tends to push the price up.

Travel companies that offer fixed price tours tend to impose the same services on the whole group, regardless of personal preferences. We are dedicated to offering good-quality services based on personal needs. Once you get in touch with us regarding a particular tour or itinerary, we will contact you to discuss the exact services you require and then set a price for your tour based on those preferences.

This means that it is you who decides the price and not us, simply by choosing to pay only for the services you require.

Basic Required Services:

• Libyan visa on arrival
• Airport/border formalities & transfers
• Passport registration
• Temehu escort (guide) & his full costs
• Tourism Police (for groups of 5 or more)
• Advertised or agreed itinerary
• Private air-conditioned transport
• Desert transport & expert (where applicable)
• Internal flights (where shown in program)

Extra Services:

• Accommodation in 3-star and/or 4-star hotels
• Accommodation in hostels
• Camping fees and fixed camping sites charges
• Food (full board or half board. Breakfast is included in all hotel prices)
• Museum & archaeological sites entrance fees
• Museum & archaeological guides
• Any other request not listed in the above basic required services list

Price does not include any of the following services:

• Vehicle charges & taxes
• Travel insurance
• Photography fees
• Personal expenditure & souvenirs
• Anything else not specified in the above services list

 

Cash: full payment is required on arrival, in cash, in Euro currency. If you cannot pay in Euro, then the next preferred currency is US Dollar. The amount shown in Libyan Dinars is the amount to pay on arrival, converted to Euro currency according to the rates of exchange current at the time of paying - that is on arrival. Please note that small notes, like 5, 10 and 20, will not be accepted for large amounts, and will be accepted only to complete the amounts that are less than 50.

ATMs: if for any reason you cannot bring cash with you, then you can use your credit card(s) on arrival; but ATMs are found only in the major airports and cities, like Tripoli and Benghazi and a few other towns.

Travellers cheques are becoming part of the past in Libya and can be very hard to find a bank that accepts them. However, when you do find a bank that accepts them, then you need to provide a document showing your name(s) and the list of the cheques' serial numbers, normally obtained from the bank that issued the cheques. If you are bringing any travellers cheques with you, please make sure you obtain this document from your bank.

 

 

The amount to pay differs from one case to another. You will be notified via email during negotiations of how much deposit you need to pay, if any.

 

No deposit or advance payment is required from independent and private travellers as long as there are no hotel bookings required. Hotels in Libya will not confirm bookings without payment. Hostels in Libya do not accept bookings.

For groups arriving together as part of one group organised by another tour operator or a travel agent, then there will be no deposit to pay. Full payment must be made on arrival by the tour leader. If hotel bookings are required, then a deposit to cover the hotel reservation may be necessary.

No deposit is required from individuals booking a place in one of our group tours if booking is made six months or more before arrival; but if booking is made within six months of travel, then we require a deposit payment to guarantee the tour for the other members of the group. See below for details.

 

 

Independent & private travellers:

No cancellation fees will be applied to independent and private travellers if they cancel their tours at any time before the start of the visa procedure and where no hotel booking is required.

Group tours:

No cancellation fees will be applied to group tours organised by other tour operators and travel agents. If deposit was made for hotel bookings and for processing large number of visas, then the deposit paid to the hotel and the fees already paid to the immigration department to process the Libyan visa are not recoverable if cancellation occurs after we have applied for the visa.

Individuals booking in a group tour:

If you cancel your place in a group tour before 12 weeks before departure, then we will refund all money paid to us. If you cancel within the 12 weeks period before travel, then the amounts paid to process the visa and to secure the hotel room may  not become refundable (see reasons below).

 

Why do we charge cancellation fees for those who cancel their places in group tours?

• Hotel rooms: the rooms we book are normally twin or double rooms and the prices are charged accordingly. But, if we book a double or twin room for two visitors, then one visitor cancels his or her tour after the arrangements were made, especially near the time of arrival, then the remaining visitor will have to take the room for him/herself, which means we have to pay the remaining balance to the hotel. Because we cannot ask the remaining visitor to pay more after we have agreed a price, the cancellation fee will be used to offset the balance.
  
  
• Processing visas also requires paying money to the immigration department in Tripoli, and requires administration work to collect and check the documents, drive 110 km to the capital Tripoli, hand over the documents, return to the office (in Zuwarah), then return to Tripoli ten days later to collect the visas, and then visit the Tourism Police department for the special permit required, and so on. If you cancel after this process has started, then the cancellation fee will help towards covering these costs.
  
  
• Guides need to be booked for each tour. If the guide receives an offer from another Libyan company after confirming his assignment with us, and he refuses this offer because we promised him a contract, then he will loose both contracts and end up with nothing if you cancel your tour after the arrangements have been made. The cancellation fee will be used to compensate the guide. This is not a scenario, and it does actually happen now and then.

 

Booking Form:

This is a booking form.

If you need to just enquire about this tour please use the enquiry form (making sure you include the tour code).

If you have your own group and would like to design your own private group tour, or you are an independent traveller, then please use the Tailored Tours form.

 

Itinerary Code:  CST29A, CST29B & CST29C