Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > North Africa
Libyan Visas Libyan Visas
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
North Africa Topics specific to North Africa and the Sahara down to the 17th parallel (excludes Morocco)
Photo by Sean Howman, The Pamir highway in an unseasonably cold late October, Tajikistan

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Sean Howman,
The Pamir highway in an unseasonably
cold late October, Tajikistan



Trans Sahara Routes.

Reply
Page 1 of 2 1 2
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 29 Sep 2004
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: wells,u.k.
Posts: 23
Libyan Visas
Can anyone RECOMMEND an agency for getting an invitation to Libya?

We've been trying to contact Jamal at Arkno but without success. Alawy seems a possibility, but are we better to go to one of the guys in London?

We've seen the price comparison on the Sahara Overland website - we're also interested in reliability/efficiency.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 29 Sep 2004
ctc ctc is offline
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Lincolnshire, England
Posts: 249
At the end of the day its a hassle, as there is no UK based company offering this service for independant travellers.

I would use Saro in Germany (it helps if you speak German or know someone that does). Alternatively the Lonely Planet list Arkno and others you might try.


Failing that I have a company (Bowline Expeditions Ltd) that I run a few expeditions through a year. We specialise in North African travel. If you want me to organise guides and visas for a Libyan trip I will do so for a fee. Contact me offline.

Best of Luck its worth the effort!
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 30 Sep 2004
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: zürich
Posts: 292
Hi Michael
you can also try Libyen Tours:
info@Libyen-Tours.de
www.libyen-tours.de
or
Ludger Trier, Germany, he speaks english
Trier@Libyen-Tours.de

Ursula
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 30 Sep 2004
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: coventry uk
Posts: 150
if your interested in my experiences in getting a visa you may like to look at my web site www.gonewandering.co.uk
__________________
jeff watts
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 1 Oct 2004
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Posts: 93
We got Ludger Trier to arrange for our visa and much to our surprise found out that he used Arkno to do the job! Normally Trier works with Sari but apparently they have temporarily been closed. The same actually happened to Arkno a little while ago. This is all according to Jamal of Arkno Tours.

I met Jamal of Arkno yesterday here in Tripoli. He is a very nice and reliable person, much more so than Ludger Trier. In our experience Trier prefers not to speak English.

Arkno is so far proving very helpful in making all the necessary arrangements. If there's things he can't do, it's usually because of restrictions by the Tourism Board.

I will report on the possibility of driving on/off-road when I've had the opportunity to do so. At least according to Jamal, it should not be a problem to enter Jebel Acacus using our own wheels.

rgds,
Camiel

This bit added after returning from my trip: while Jamal is indeed a nice guy he proved to be UNreliable. While we paid for a guide for 13 days, we only got one for three days. No money was ever paid back to us. Better be careful in dealing with Jamal therefore.

[This message has been edited by camiel (edited 21 November 2004).]
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 1 Oct 2004
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: wells,u.k.
Posts: 23
Thanks for all the suggestions.

Camiel, I've been trying to contact Jamal, but he hasn't replied to two emails and his fax number (which I got from Arkno's website) doesn't seem to be working. If you see him again, could you ask him to email me at mjgzt@aol.com so that I can get his correct details. Thanks.

Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 2 Oct 2004
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Posts: 93
Michael,

I haven't got Jamal's details handy but the best way to contact him is on his mobile number. Check out www.arkno.com for full details.

If I see him I will remind him.

ta,
Camiel
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 4 Oct 2004
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Libia
Posts: 205

Chek first if the company you choice is a registered one. The laws, always the same, seems have been enforced , the letter of invitation must be delivered to Libyan Consulates only by registered local T.O.

Budrinna
__________________
Budrinna Co.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 5 Oct 2004
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Switzerland
Posts: 332
Hello Budrina,
>Chek first if the company you choice is a registered one.

How do I identify such companies, does a list, registry or something like that exist?

btw, what's your background, you seem to be quite well informed about Libyan tourism?

Best regards, yves

__________________
Yves
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 5 Oct 2004
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Libia
Posts: 205

How do I identify such companies...?

Simply asking them the registration no. (Chamber of Trade or/and Ministry of Tourism.

btw, what's your background, ...?

Former owner of a touristic services co, now
consultant and legal advisor .

Best regards

Budrinna

__________________
Budrinna Co.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 4 Nov 2004
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Thaxted, Essex
Posts: 4
I have tried contacting several of the recommended agents regarding a letter of invitation. I am getting little response and suspect it is because there are only two of us and a letter of invitation seems to need a group of four or more.

Is anyone else trying or soon going to try for a Libyan visa letter of invitation? Would you like to join us in order to form a group of 4+. I have read we would not need to arrive/travel together as a result. We hope to travel Nov/Dec 04.

Thanks for your response.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 4 Nov 2004
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: wells,u.k.
Posts: 23
Ian,

We also have had difficulty in getting replies, but we hope that we may now be getting somewhere.

We plan to use Jamal at Arkno, because his is the name that seems to come up time and time again. We emailed several times but got little response, except to say send passport details,etc which we did. So, I telephoned him (mobile 00 218 91 214 0262). He speaks excellent English and told me that since we would not be travelling until towards the end of December, it was a bit early to be applying for visas. I left it that we would contact him again mid November (but I'm planning to phone him in the next couple of days). He thought he would then be able to get the authorisation within a matter of days, so that we could get our visas at the end of this month.

Having said all this, my understanding is the same as yours, i.e. that applications should be made in groups of more than two, although they don't have to travel together. If you were to contact Jamal, presumably he could deal with you at the same time as us - we are happy that he should now get on and obtain our authorisations.

What do you think?

Michael
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 5 Nov 2004
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Thaxted, Essex
Posts: 4
Thanks Michael,

I would be delighted to call Jamal and suggest he processes us as a single group for the invitation. This could be the step which unblocks the process for us. Thanks for your offer of help.

It may help me if I have a few more details about your group and intinerary to see how closely we match. You may like to email me offline. Who knows there might be an opportunity to share a guide.

Look forward to hearing from you. Ian
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 5 Nov 2004
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Libia
Posts: 205
[
The letter of invitation reports all the data about the group (cars & pax) and must be shown on fotocopies all along the trip.
This cannot be changed, or if this occurs must be declared , takes a lot of time and not convenient.

Budrinna
__________________
Budrinna Co.
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 5 Nov 2004
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: wells,u.k.
Posts: 23
Ian,

Yes, I'll email you details. What is your email address? Mine is mjgzt@aol.com. Or, you could give me a ring on 01749 676362 - evenings are best.

Michael
Reply With Quote
Reply
Page 1 of 2 1 2

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Ecuador June 13-15
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Aug 14-17
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes.
(ONLY US RESIDENTS and currently has a limit of 60 days.)

Ripcord Evacuation Insurance is available for ALL nationalities.


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Every book a diary
Every chapter a day
Every day a journey
Refreshingly honest and compelling tales: the hights and lows of a life on the road. Solo, unsupported, budget journeys of discovery.
Authentic, engaging and evocative travel memoirs, overland, around the world and through life.
All 8 books available from the author or as eBooks and audio books



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 20:03.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top