Libyan invitations
 

its me again folks, anybody having trouble getting invitations for Libya? I have a good contact in the UK who can get them for us Brits, if anybody is interested?

I would like to get Libyan visa later this year (valid for November /December). Want to enter from Algeria having come up from Niger. Any advice would be appreciated

CTC

I think you may find that you have to apply to Algerian representatives or even a Nigerian representative to get a invitation for Libya - I'm not sure whether you need to get one, if you are already based in North Africa; I can only assume that you will have to, but I don't know your nationality? - if you are British then I can certainly ask my contact here in the UK what the situation is with regards to travellers already in North Africa? Would this be of any use to you?

Regards Renate

Many thanks, am English (UK passport) and currently in London (leaving late June) but will be approaching Libya via the route described.

email: ctc_wakamba@hotmail.com

ctc

Good! that's a start! I'll ask my contact by email.

Sam Rutherford will be in Libya sometime in June or July, I can't make it 'till later in the year

So, sorry I won't have the pleasure of meeting you - maybe later?

Renate

ctc

Doh! of course! I'll probably be in Libya in November too! brain cell has just expired!

Renate

@ctc,
Entering Libya from Algeria is normaly not possible. Only the invers, crossing from Libya into Algeria is possible. My be a very, very good contact in Libya could arrange something, but you shouldn't rely on.

Yves, www.sahara-info.ch

Still looking for a contact re entering Libya (from South) any contact names / advice would be appreciated.

ctc

CTC

Still awaiting corres, from my contact - will keep you informed, no fear, as I have further info I'll contact you - things happen real slow in the UK sometimes!

Yves

contact me off-list; I know the situation regarding Algeria and Libya - I'm currently working and negotiating with the Libyan authorities with regards to entries/exits.

If you are interested I'll keep you updated, okay?

Forget about getting into Libya coming from the South, from Algeria, Niger, Chad, Sudan.
Your only way in on the road is from Tunesia in Ras Jedir and from Egypt in Solloum.
A list of Libyan Tour Operators, which can write an invitation to get the visa and which can arrange the formalities on the border can be found at: www.klaus.daerr.de/veransta3.htm

Klaus

I Know about the tour operators - am working and negotiation for special dispensation to be in libya for three months - its set to go ahead - I started this thread because I wanted UK people who were interested to know visas/invitations could be obtained for them, and to guage whether there was any interest in Libya.

I don't go into Libya from any other country apart from Tunisia - I'm from the UK and this is the easiest way for me to do it - I take on board your comments, but I'm not entering Libya from other countries.

Thanks for your comments, nevertheless

Yves

I'm entering Libya from Tunisia - I'm currently working with the Libyans for special dispensation - the good news is I have now permission to spend three months in Libya.

As I said to Klaus, I'm not entering from any other country apart from Tunisia.

And, being based in the UK, Tunisia is the best option - this is not to say I'm not entering Algeria from the Libyan side - am still negotiating this as I want to go to Djanet and set up base for a few days so I can visit the Tassili-n-Ajjer and Ahoggar

Nevertheless, thankyou for your concerns, Yves

Hoping to enter Libya from Algeria, Sept this year - I'll keep y'all posted on progress (or lack of!)

Sam.

PS hi Renate!

Have been trying various agencies to get an invitation to Libya. All have been helpful.

I have accepted that Djanet - Ghat is not possible if going from Algeria into Libya, so up to Tunisia (Ras Ajdir) it is. Problem now is that tourists have to enter Libya in numbers of four or over unless on business, am pursuing the business angle but is anyone interested / planning on entering Libya in late November? We are currently two in our vehicle. So looking for another vehicle(s).

If you are interested please email me ctc_wakamba@hotmail.com

Renate,

Are you still offering services for Libyan visas? Me (Brit) and Dutch wife are looking at wanting to cross from Tunisia around start March 2002.

Jasper

My wife and I are hoping to go to Libya early next year from Tunisia and drive through to Niger.

We have been trying to get an invitation and have come up against the need for a group of four people before an application can be made.

We have made most progress with Arkno Tours who are promising to sort us out albeit at a cost (www.arkno.com).

Has anyone had any experiences with Arkno Tours (good or bad) or know of any other trustworthy agencies that it would be better to deal with? Seems high risk sending large amounts of money to Libya with no guarantee of receiving anything in response!

Equally, is there anyone who would like to form a group to make an application. I understand there is no compulsion to travel together subsequently or even enter Libya at the same time.

Love to hear any experiences/suggestions

If you want to contact us offline, email address is joandcharles@hotmail.com

Although I've never used them, I've had Arkno recommended to me by an Italian friend who's used them many times. (I think Arkno have an Italian connectiion/owner).

Would you mind bringing us to to date with what the Libyans want and how much to give us a visa? Does one still need to pay a guide in another car whatever for every day in Libya?

Chris S

------------------
Author of Sahara Overland and the Adventure Motorcycling Handbook, among other things

http://www.sahara-overland.com

Thanks for your input Chris.

Here are our experiences, but as you will see, still at an early stage.

We contacted the Libyan Embassy in London and were told that we had to make applications through a tour agency. A UK agent, referred to us by the Embassy, (unfortunately don´t have his contact at the moment) told us that applications needed to be made as a group (minimum four people) - but don´t necessarily have to travel together. We were also told the Ambassador had recently changed but he said it was too early to know the implications of this.

We have since been in contact with other agencies and as I said, made most progress with Arkno. They are asking for US$100 for visa application, US$200 to fix paperwork for the car at the border and an undisclosed amount for a guide while in Libya.

Arkno also want an application from four people. However, given that all the people do not have to travel together there appears to be an opportunity to put make up the numbers with people that may decide they don´t want to go to Libya after all.

We are getting mixed messages on whether we need a guide the whole time we are in Libya or not. Arkno say they will be able to provide a guide for only some of the time but get the feeling this is not standard.

Hope this is helpful and stimulates comments from anyone else who has had experiences trying to get a Libyan visa

Charles

Sounds promising. The US$100 for visa application plus US$200 to fix paperwork for the car at the border sounds about right. Getting fixed up at the border (all docs and plates ready and waiting) speeds things up immensely.

>We are getting mixed messages on whether we need a guide the whole time...
I think we paid $100 a day early last year (it wasn't compulsory then but I wanted one for back-up) - now it may be up to 100 quid - which is the min. rate in Algeria now (not that you need one there)

Chris S

Hi

I met with Jamal form Arkno Tours yesterday at the World Travel Market, he confirmed that each application will only be considered once it contains 4 names!! Although he insists that you do not have to travell together.
$100 for paperwork per person amd $200 for the car - although I will work on this and let you know. At present you can only enter from Tunisia or possibly Egypt.
He said that a guide is not required although I have my doubts.
I have Arkno's contact details inc phone No.s if you need them give me a call.

regards ChrisC

[This message has been edited by ChrisC (edited 15 November 2001).]

Hello.

Looking for an update of this situation. Next May/June (2003) 2 of us will be travelling by motorcycle in this region, and our idealistic plan is to go from Tunisia into Libya and then on to Egypt.

I understand I will have to be "invited" to travel into Algeria and Libya, but do I still need to pay a guide? And what has happened with the Embassy in London (where I live)? Please could the people with good contacts e-mail me? I need to get the paperwork sorted asap.

The only other option for us, if Libya is a no-go, is heading MUCH further south via Niger and Chad, or possibly trying to hop from Tunisia to Alexandria (missing most of the point of our journey!)

HELP!

hi there ... i am planning to go to libya from tunisia late dec. and would be interested in applying as a group, if anyone is trying to get four names for the application.
thanks, n.

Guys

See my 26th august New Subject entry "Libya"