Libya Travel Guide

Important Information
You Ought-to Know Before Visiting Libya

As a Libyan tourism company we need to provide enough information about Libyan law. This travel guide to Libya  was created to clarify some important issues, which are rarely addressed by tour operators and government agencies, and which we have found to be a source of confusion and disappointment to tourists after their arrival in Libya. We strongly recommend reading the following travel recommendations before making any decisions regarding your visit to Libya, and if you are still in doubt of anything, please do not hesitate to contact us for further information. We will be more than happy to provide you with all the information we have to the best of our knowledge.

2012 Update:

The following guide was written and updated to cover travel regulations during the previous government of Libya. The new government, the National Transitional Council (NTC), has announced that most current laws remain effective until further amendment, as stated in Article (35) of its Constitutional Declaration.

2011:

Visa Authorisation Number:

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 faxed to the specified Libyan embassy. The visitor then needs to visit the embassy to complete the visa process and collect the actual stamp. 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to another new law, came into effect on the 2nd of August 2009, faxing the visa authorisation number to the embassy has been replaced by the old "visa approval", usually used to obtain a visa on arrival, either at the airport or the land border. Please check our news page for the latest updates.

How  long does it take to get the visa?

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.

Getting to Libya:

Generally speaking most Libya's visitors arrive via Tripoli International Airport (TIP), located about 16 miles from the city centre; Ras Jdayr (or 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 non-Africans. 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. Independent and private travellers coming by public transport from Tunisia or Egypt need to bear in mind that Libyan tour operators are not allowed by law to use public transport for their visitors, and as a result private transport is always assigned together with the required escort (or guide) for those who arrive without transport.

Transit Visa Versus Tourist Visa:

Crossing Libya from border to border:
it is difficult to know why many people still intent to confuse "tourist visa" with "transit visa". Confused about this issue? Well, the answer is very simple: one needs to bear in mind that Libyan tour companies are primarily tourist companies, authorised by the Libyan government to provide tourist visas only. That is the law. Transit visa on the other hand is obtained directly from any Libyan embassy without the assistance of any Libyan agent. The catch however is that although with tourist visa you have to pay the cost of the escort, transit visa could end up more expensive as you have to wait weeks (and even months, in some cases) without getting a straight answer from the embassy.

So why some visitors go on to write in some travel forums that you can get Libyan visa without the expensive escort? Is it because there is no one to ask them  what visa they are talking about! For instance, business visas do not require an escort and the holder is free to roam the country. Transit visa is the same: the holder is free to cross from border to border unescorted.

Tourist visa does require the compulsory guide and the private transport. We have no reason to make this up. But there are those rogue Libyan traders who bypass the law to provide visas without an escort. Is it possible you were given a visa by one of these? It helps if post-writers in forums name the companies that gave them tourist visa without an escort. Be warned of those who give Hotmail accounts in forums (and not company emails). There was one Libyan company that changed its name after it was closed down by the government.

So what is the actual difference between the transit visa and the tourist visa? If the law is applied correctly then you will not be allowed into any archaeological site because these are designated tourist sites. Transit visa will allow you to transit the country, literally, and hence the name. But, of course, there are so many good Libyan men who do not apply the law to the letter and these might just let you in, if you were lucky. The point is you are not allowed into tourist sites because you do not have a tourist visa, in the same way you are not allowed to work in the country without a work visa, and in the same way you are not allowed to do business in Libya without a business visa.

And there is another more important issue: can you wait a month or two in Tunis or Cairo without knowing for sure if you will get the visa at the end of the month or not?  Check the Lonely Planet website and the Hubb and you will find a number of success stories as well as a bigger number of failures and of visitors who gave up waiting. We had some visitors who said they will wait for the embassy's decision and then get back to us with their final decision, and they did come back to us on the end for the visa on arrival after they gave up with the embassy. Equally we had those who wrote us thanking us for everything because they succeeded in getting the visa from the embassy. Why one succeeds where another fails is something we cannot answer - it probably depends on nationality, case and consulate. Or just shear luck.

Also you need to consider other limitations attached to the transit visa, like being stopped for your paper work at various check points and ordered to explain in Arabic what you are doing in Libya, where one mistake will inevitably lead to another!  Sometimes you will not be asked, but you need to be prepared and expect to be stopped. Not being stopped in your last visit does not mean that other visitors will not be stopped.

All in all we have made the tourist visa even a better option by offering to connect visitors with other travellers and share the cost of the escort from border to border via our crossing tour. No need to book a tour, no need to stay in any hotels, no need to visit any archaeological sites unless you want to; just share the cost of the guide with other like-minded travellers and cross Libya in 4 or 5 days, and pay for everything by yourself as you go.

Travelling Alone in Libya:

Another problem we encountered is that some of our visitors wanted to travel alone in Libya. According to Libyan law, a tourist must be accompanied by a Libyan representative of the chosen tour operator, from entry to exit. This does not mean that your freedom is restricted, as you can go anywhere within your specified destinations. This is one of those things that makes Libya unique, and most Libyan tour operators hope this will not be necessary in the near future when tourism establishes itself in Libya. Moreover, in groups of five or more, the Libyan Tourism Police will also join the convoy, in their own vehicle, of course (or the guide's car).

We understand that it is not clear as to where or when you can be alone in Libya without the company of your guide, and as a result we get a number of emails about this issue, all enquiring if they can travel alone in the evening to walk around the local market or in the dark streets of the old city. Some visitors have the idea that the guide will be like their shadow - from sunrise to sunset.

 We hope the following points will clarify this matter and provide more light on the issue:

• Hotels: as soon as you enter your hotel you are alone. The guide will go away and leave you alone until the following morning.
  
  
• Restaurants: you are always free to enter any restaurant you choose and dine privately without the company of the guide; unless he is invited by you to join you for a meal and a chat -- if you are not bored with his company by then!
  
  
• You are free to travel alone and explore any of the archaeological sites and museums without the company of the guide. The guide can and often will wait outside until you finish your tour. But most of these archaeological sites and museum have compulsory "archaeological guides" whom you need to hire; although some sites and museums may occasionally let you go in alone.
  
  
• When you are walking in the streets, exploring the cities and towns of Libya, or when you are strolling along the busy markets and shops of the capital and other towns you are allowed to walk alone, where your guide will be walking behind you, say by about 200 yards or so, so that he can see you ahead of him, just in case you need his assistance or you come into trouble with government minders. This way you can walk and chat privately with your partner or friend, or walk alone, while the guide's help remains a few hundred yards away. We think this is an important point often not mentioned by those who write about Libyan compulsory guides, because you have a degree of freedom to travel alone and privately and you can chat, argue and discuss matters in private.
  
  
• So contrary to what has been said in various TV programs and written in various forums, the above clarification allows tourists a degree of freedom, and the picture is slightly different from the one widely told.
  
  

Passport Validity:

The passport must be valid for at least six months when you leave Libya, which means that if you intend to stay two months in Libya, then your passport must be valid for at least eight months when you arrive in Libya.  

Passport Registration

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. If you, some how, succeeded in travelling alone in Libya, then you must remember to register as soon as you enter the country.

Passport Translation

Latest update: passport Arabic translation is no longer needed (2010): the following information therefore will not be needed anymore. A recent Libyan Law (passed on the 11th of November 2007) requires all visitors to have an Arabic transcript of their passport’s details page printed in their passports. This is the bio data page which contains biographical information about the passport holder. If you live in the UK, the Identity & Passport Service (IPS) can add a stamp providing blank fields in Arabic that will need to be completed in Arabic. Visitors should contact the Libyan Embassy to enquire about acceptable (or approved) translation service providers for the inclusion of the passport holder’s bio details within these blank fields. Please remember that, as far as we know, only embassy approved translators are acceptable. The approved translation in the UK, for instance, costs about £30 via the Arab British Chamber of Commerce, while unapproved translation normally costs about the same. Please bear in mind that hundreds of tourists were refused entry to Libya despite having Libyan visa, because their passports did not carry an Arabic translation: full article at http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7092589.stm.) Please see our passport Arabic translation page for examples and links to approved translators. Conclusion: passport Arabic translation is no longer needed for tourist visas (2010).

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Date of Arrival: *

It is important that you give us an accurate date of arrival after agreeing a program with us. If you cannot, then you must provide an accurate date of arrival at least 12 days before arrival. We understand that this sometimes may not be possible for overlanders as delays and unexpected events can occur. But the problem is this: when you agree an itinerary or tour with us, your name(s) and dates of arrival and departure will be sent to the tourism police who will issue us with a written document approving your tour and your route. Changing the date would thus render this document useless and therefore the need to apply for a new document, which may take up to 10 days to process, at an extra cost. This means that changing you date of arrival any time after ten days before arrival is difficult and may not be possible, because we will not have enough time to apply to the tourism police for the new approval. Most, if not all, of our visitors confirm their tours around a few weeks before arrival. However, you might would like to know that delays of one, two or even three days after the agreed date of arrival are okay and can be justified providing you provide valid reasons and these are usually accepted without any issues. But arriving before the agreed date by even one day is impossible because the visa will be valid only from the agreed date of arrival.

List of Places to Visit:

If you are designing your own tour, you cannot visit any places in Libya other than those specified during your booking or enquiry. According to Libyan law, the visa is granted to visit the sites specified before arrival. Therefore in order to avoid disappointment, it is important that tourists specify the exact cities and sites they would like to visit before arrival, especially the archaeological sites.   Please study your destinations carefully and plan your route accordingly before you send us your list of chosen sites and cities, as we cannot, and no one else can, change this. Some Libyan Tour Operators were ordered to close down by the Libyan government because they deviated from the planned route. If you specify Tripolitania and Fezzan, but you change your mind after arrival and want to include Cyrenaica as well, then unfortunately you cannot. It is therefore best to include in your enquiry all the sites you would like to see.

For example, say you specify a route like this: arrival Tunisian border, Zuwarah - Tripoli - Leptis Magna - Tripoli - Zuwarah - Tunisian border. Now, coming from the Tunisian border you can stop at all towns and villages between the Tunisian border and Leptis Magna, even if they were not specified in the list, but you cannot enter the archaeological site of Sabratha (located between Zuwarah and Tripoli) because archaeological sites must be specified in the route as well as in the travel permit granted by the tourism police. This means that all archaeological sites must be specified in the route, but not ordinary towns or villages.

Tips:

Like the majority of Libyans, we believe tipping is an insult. 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 Egypt and Tunisia and in many other countries, but most visitors do not know that Libya is unique in this respect. 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. Mind you, the practice is catching up in Libya as well, due to various reasons, and we hope it disappears again! Many European websites, including those of major tour companies, even specify the amount you need to tip!

Bargaining & Nuisance:

Similarly, there are those visitors who agree with us on certain price and proceed with completing the visa process and the itinerary accordingly. But unfortunately after arrival they start bargaining and want to reduce the price and/or reduce the number of days agreed on. We find this kind of behaviour unacceptable too. We sincerely hope that if anyone needs to change anything they ought to do it before they agree with us on anything. If we agree with a visitor on a 5 days crossing tour (from border to border) then it means that we have also agreed with his or her escort to pay him for 5 days, and that we cannot change that. I think we all agree that people need to remember that bargaining is done before buying not after.

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Language:

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.

Vehicles:

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 (click here for vehicle charges in Libya). 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%.

Buying Petrol In Tunisia:

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.

Tourism Police:

Libyan Tourism Police: for groups of five or more visitors, one also needs to add the cost of the Tourism Police, who must, by law, accompany the group. The tourist officer will accompany the group in his own vehicle (with the guide). The cost is included in the price of the tour and therefore you do not have to pay any extra money for this service. However, the included cost of this service varies according to the number of individuals in the group and hence we need to know the number of visitors before we can price our tours. For groups of between 5 and 10, the law requires one tourist officer to accompany the group. Twenty visitors need two officers; thirty need three; and so on. If your group is larger than fifty, then please contact us for further details. This service is not required for groups of four or less.

In groups of five or more people (where tourism police permits are needed), the date of arrival must be determined before we apply for the visa, because the Tourism Police will be appointed by the authorities and not by us from the date of the permit and thus officially he is employed from that date. This means that we have to pay him his wages for those days if you do not arrive by the specified date, and that this amount needs to be paid by you if you do not turn up on the specified date.

Desert Expert:

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.

Tour Guide Versus Tour Escort

This representative, who must accompany you, is always referred to as "guide" by all tour operators, when the correct word to use is in fact "an escort" or "companion", which is مرافق in Arabic, literally translates as "accompanier" (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 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 form. Most museums and archaeological sites have guides whom tourists can, and most often must, hire. 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.

Libyan law requires all tour guides to be of Libyan origin and therefore all foreign guides coming with a group or tourists must arrive as tourists with the rest of the group - although there is no law in Libya to stop them from talking to their friends about Zeus' toes or the Gorgon's head in Leptis Magna.

Internal Flights:

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 occasionaly get delayed). For these reasons we usually include flights only between Tripoli and Sabha, and Tripoli and Benghazi, unless otherwise requested.

Israeli Visa In Your Passport

You must make sure you do not have an Israeli stamp in your passport, including those obtained at the Egyptian-Israeli and Jordanian borders. If you do have one, then you need to obtain a new passport, in order to visit Libya.

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Prohibited Items

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. 

American Nationals

Please see our page about Libyan visa for US citizens for more on this issue.

Journalists

We have recently attempted to secure visa for two journalists, but unfortunately we have been informed by the immigration authorities in Libya that Libyan tour operators are not allowed to issue visas for journalists, and that if journalists want to visit Libya, then they need to secure an entry visa directly from the Libyan embassy in their country of residence. It is then up to the embassy to grant or refuse the visa. However, as pointed out by Reporters Without Borders, foreign journalists can now get a visa more easily than before and that the department of relations with the foreign press claimed to have issued between 1000 and 1500 visas in 2005. Visiting journalists need a permit, obtained from the information ministry’s foreign media department. Even with a visa at   hand you must have confirmation from Libya that your visit is expected, and, once inside, do not interview any official unless you have a prior authorisation from the department of relations with the foreign press.

Money

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 necessary.

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, and therefore make sure you take large notes with you.

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, Sert 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 Money & Currencies webpage 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!!!

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).

Libyan Fake Money:

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? Well, like they say: if it is to good to be true, then . . . Beware of fake money, and take our advice: buy your Libyan money inside Libya from a Libyan bank.

Prices

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.

Bargaining:

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 foreigners or tourists. Ss 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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Gadgets

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:

Health care in Libya is not as advanced as in western Europe and therefore medical services should not be expected to be of the same standard. It is important to have a comprehensive travel and medical insurance while travelling in Libya. Insured travellers need to confirm with their insurers prior to departure whether payment will be made to the foreign clinics by the insurer, or the traveller will be reimbursed after returning to the country of origin. Travel insurance is intended to cover medical expenses and financial losses while travelling abroad, including but not limited to loss of luggage, medical expenses, 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 destinations 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. For example going for an adventure skiing, rallying, quad biking, or scuba-diving requires different insurance to cover the risks involved. And therefore there are optional conditions which you need to specify and talk about with your insurance provider, like:

Regions or countries to visit.
Pre-existing medical conditions.
Travel to high risk countries (natural disaster regions, etc.).
War, terrorism and criminal activities (such as kidnapping, ransom insurance, etc.).
High-risk activities & sports  (such as skiing, scuba diving, mountain climbing, etc.).

Ramadan

The Islamic month of   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 many services will be either closed, 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 and 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.

Terrorism

Libya is the only country in North Africa where terrorists do not, practically, exist. Fundamentals have no voice or influence in Libya. Not a single terror-incident has been recorded in Libya. In a report published by the insurance broker Aon, Libya and Greenland were the world ’ s safest destinations in 2004. The Libyan Government’s designation as a state sponsor of terrorism was rescinded on the 30th of June 2006.

In your travels across the Sahara desert you will be accompanied by the Libyan Tourism Police, in their own vehicle, of course, to make sure of your safety and well being. However, travellers are advised to avoid areas bordering Chad and Sudan, as these areas are difficult to fully patrol owing to their harsh terrain and size. Your tour operator will make sure this does not happen, and there are no tourist sites along these points. Check this British Foreign & Commonwealth Office web site (http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travelling-and-living-overseas/staying-safe/terrorism-abroad) for regular updates, warnings and news about terrorism abroad.

Politics

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.  If you can, and if you have the time, you should be alert to developments in the Middle East while travelling, as some events can easily trigger public unrest across the Middle East, but rarely in North Africa. Never mention " journalists " ; if you are one, never say so to anyone.

Crime

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. Insurance. Do not leave valuable items in your car or van, and if you do , do not leave them easily visible. Do not leave your purse laying around on the beach unattended while swimming. Do not leave important and valuable things in your hotel room, no matter how expensive the hotel is. 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 the British 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 tour operator's car, or anywhere else.

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Alcohol, Dress & Code of Conduct

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. 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.

Women Swimming In Libya

Western women can swim in swim-suits and in bikinis; just avoid crowded areas and find a good secluded spot and you would 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. 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, and because Libyan people do Actually respect other people.

Respectful Travel

• 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.

Road Hazards

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, good luck.

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Land Mines

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.

The Climate in Libya:

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/ ).

Fuel Points

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 Ajdabiyah, Benghazi, Tolmeitha, Apollonia, At Tamimi, and Tobruk.
For a map of the fuel points in Libya please check this page (www.temehu.com/fuelling-points-in-libya)

Marine Hazards

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, with no problems reported, so far.

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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Diseases & Vaccinations

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. 

Things To Take With You To Libya (Traveller's Check List):

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 (essential)
Passport
US$1000 (required by law for some visitors to have when they enter LIbya - see Money , above, for details). If you have booked your holiday with us, or with any other Libyan operator, then you do not need this.

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.