Security Update Libya.

[Sheikyabooty]

Hey guys, what with all the unrest now flaring up in North Africa and the Middle East we are looking at various other options to getting into Africa. The initial route was through Tunisia then Libya then Egypt into Sudan. What other alternative routes are there for getting into Africa if the proverbial shit hits the fan?? Do people on the ground in Libya still believe it to be safe to travel, and if so what are the best routes (This all depending on whether visa are suspended!) Thanks

[paul1962]

There's still the ferry from Turkey? - but expensive and it appears the Eygptian customs will rip you off, when you get there.

Suppose you could fly in - but mega expensive with anything more than a bicycle. (My original plan - when I was intially travelling by bicycle before my knee gave in - everything goes tits up just put bicycle and me on a plane and bypass country) - can't do that with motorcycle.

For me I have decided that my limited funds are best spent travelling parts of the world where I am not taking the gamble of spending £'000s just for bloody paperwork i.e. carnet, visas, to maybe see it go up in smoke. For me north eastern Africa is off the cards at present for travelling through by any motorised means, I'm just not that rich!

[jimosse]

Fellow Saharan hopeful travellers:

I'm afraid i'm loosing the drive for Libya and Tunisia and the easy ferry from Genoa with this recent wave of violence. Driving the 3000 km to the Turkish ferry and then Egyptian port import hassles isn't in my plan either. Damn.

I just started looking at flying a bike on Qatar Air Cargo from Milan to Nairobi. They have daily flights (air cargo), and $500 for a pax ticket.

Has anyone sipped to Kenya and how hard and expensive was it? i will report on the shipping cost when i get one.

Maybe things will calm down by the time i leave in mid November, but the trend is not promising.

Chris Scott, what would you do???

[Chris Scott]

I would take the Turkey-Egypt ferry option because from there to Kenya will be the best part of your trip - or certainly the part you remember best...
Although I have not done it, but the time you get to Kenya I suspect the real adventure will largely be over, it gets expensive and is a bit of a parade down to the Cape.
Because Libya would have been a lot to pay for a tense transit, you're not missing too much there apart from saying you did it. Ferry immigration at Alex or wherever can only be a day at worst, assuming it is a regular ferry and not a cargo ship. It's always been slow with Egypt but it's not actually dodgy, just bureaucratically convoluted but once you're in, you're in. Then there is only the Wadi Halfa dance...

I think the current anti-west protests will calm down by Nov, but will recur or get stirred up periodically. It seems to me that the Libya attack, for example, was far from spontaneous. I very much doubt you will encounter any hostility - in fact most probably quite the opposite.

Flying cargo to Nairobi may well be as much hassle and expense as Egypt from what I have heard. I think I'd sooner fly into Cape Town (less hassle) and do a big tour as far north as you like, but that's not the same as a full lap down from Cairo. Stick with that plan then when you get to Marsabit you can pat yourself on the back and say you did it!

What about ferries to Israel from Cyprus or Greece, then Sinai into Egypt? I suspect an Egyptian land border may be better than a port and as it's been there lately, they may even wish you hurry you through.

Ch

[michnus]

Skip Egypt if possible, with all the ripp-off charges and duties. We got properly shafted in Aswan. Some Dutch have gone to Israel, Jordan then Saudi and chase down to Jeddah and then ship over to Port Sudan.

My bikes are in Cairo and I need to get them out of there to Europe so I am also still looking for a way out. Read up on a story of shipping out of Egypt at Port Said and it was no joke for the people and cost.

[taniyamorris]

One useful point of contact if you still consider Libya is Libya Travel & Tours Libya Travel & Tours http://www.libyatravelandtours.com contact x libyatravelandtours.com
They have been very helpful for us (although we have not actually used them yet, just planning the route north as we are still in Tanzania) & the costs don't seem to be any more then the ferry to Turkey. An option worth exploring?

[Budrinna]

Two foreinghers , one briton and one form new zeland found dead near Sabratha.

[Chris Scott]

Briton and New Zealander shot dead in Libya - Africa - Al Jazeera English

[andrasz]

... and south Cyrenaica seems to be in full turmoil ...

Tensions in Kufra following desert kidnapping | Libya Herald

At least one dead in Kufra communal clashes | Libya Herald

Sudanese hostages freed in south Libya | Libya Herald

Tensions rising in Kufra | Libya Herald

Jalu digs for safety | Libya Herald

On a brighter note, it seems that there are plans to start issuing Tourist Visas at Tripoli Airport again (I know, of not much use to overlanders, but at least a step ahead...):

Libya to start issuing tourist visas | Libya Herald

[andrasz]

Festivities shifting to Sebha...

Deadly tribal clashes continue in Sebha | Libya Herald

[Sam Rutherford]

Libya is presently not safe for tourists, and the situation is not improving.

We are no longer helping with tourism visas.

We are still facilitating for business/government and NGO clients, but in combination with a personal security detail (with them for the duration of their stay in the country).

Safe travels, Sam.

[Chris Scott]

Only one person's analysis, but maybe this is related:

The Secret War in Libya

[Whiskey]

Our local media reports: In Libya, three Europeans working for Italian construction company disappeared in city of Zuwara west from Tripolis. Libyan media speculate that they the Italian, Macedonian and Bosnian citizen were kidnapped. Government in Italy and Bosnia already confirmed this news.

[Whiskey]

It seems that the security situation in Libya worsens. A few days ago Libyan smugglers attacked and killed 21 Egyptian border guards: Gunmen kill 21 Egyptian military border guards near Libya | Reuters

and now fighting at the Tripoli airport: Heavy clashes erupt over Tripoli airport, at least four dead | Reuters

[Chris Scott]

BBC News - Leave Libya now, Foreign Office tells Britons