avoiding libya..ideas please!
 

im being messed about trying to get a libyan visa..firstly united travel want £340 for two of us and then can only get a 45 days visa from the date of stamping of the passport..not their fault..but as my departure date is not definite it could prove expensive..im heading through egypt sudan ethiopia etc...any one any ideas to avoid libya apart from the onbvious of sailing to egypt..thanks

Not sure you will be able to ferry to Egypt, so think Libya is your only bet unless you take the chance of Chad/Sudan border (from Morocco, Mauri, Mali etc)

We are using Kalifa Hamed in Hammersmith, London at Visa & Translation services. He is charging £80 per person for the translation, invite and visa and is prepared to get everything in order and only apply for visa a week before you depart (it takes him 3 to 4 working days to obtain visa)......so he says....! The real cost is the tour companies - we have been quoted 200 eur by Arkno Tours in Tripoli for the "border services" - Touring club, licence plates, insurance. Then a further 35 eur per day in Libya for an english speaking guide.

Sounds a lot but the fuel is apparently exceptionally cheap....

Hope this helps in some way - Kalifa's details are on the Sahara-overland site under the Libya country details. He is also mentioned in Lonely Planet Libya and I have met him in person and seems on the up

rgds
Ranger

thanks for that info:kalifa is £90 per person cheaper than united travel(and also appears to know what he's doing!) after a couple of frustrating hours on the interenet and considering the syria jordan saudi alternative, decided to try Libya again, ill just have to be more flexible on my departure date so that the 45 day visa doesnt expire....any one any idea what happens if you dont have a guide in libya???

Jeff,
plenty of recent postings on that subject, do a search you'll have an abundance of reading material.
Although I didn't spend long in Libya I enjoyed my time there and think it was worth the hassle. (a lot less hassle than Egypt mind you)

thanks for your replies in spite of getting highly fed up with the "messing about" i will go through libya (as if i have any choice!) do i really have to have a guide with me all the time, what happens if you are stopped and hes not there....???cant wait for the paperwork to be over and the travelling to begin!!

Originally posted by jeff_watts:
[all the time, what happens if you are stopped and hes not there....???

They will act officially giving You another guide .

Regards
Budrinna

apols if I missed something, but why not do Syria/Jordan/Egypt? Car Ferry from Aqaba to Nuweiba takes a few hours.

thanks for that ollie..im revisiting my plans as we speak!!! whats the visa situation like for a british citizens in syria and jordan,,i know, i know look it up!! smile but can i do it on the road or musty i get it before we leave??..ps tried e mailing yu but it bounced back

Hi Jeff,
If you are still flexible don't eliminate the Middle East option.Far to few travellers from Europe use it due to the incredibly bad press the region has in the Western media.The real fact is that Syria,Jordan and yes..even Saudi are safe,full of history and interest and most of all full of friendly people.You could follow the route of the old Hijaz railway(Lawrence of Arabia)and ship over to Africa from Jeddah.

thanks tony!!certainly worth a thought....SO MUCH WORLD SO LITTLE TIME!!!!

The Aqaba- Nuweiba ferry is great but prices fluctuate hugely - try and ring beforehand and get the current situation. Its not the most reliable service in the world but nothing in Egypt is http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/biggrin.gif