Yes,

Time agian for a visa-question. We think about going from Egypt to Lybia. Or from Sudan to Saudi-Arabia.

We heard that you have to have your passportdetails translated into Arabic for a Libian Visum. I've been told they can do that in Nairobi. Does anybody know about this? Does the same go for an Saudi-visa? Whats's the best place to apply for a visum?

We also heart that Saudi is forbidden for women travelling, only if they are accompanied by their husband or brother. Also women are not allowed to drive a vehicle. Is that true?

Cheers,
Corne

Saudi tourist visas...not very easy to get hold of – well they weren’t 18 months ago
You need a sponsor in the country to register you with immigration and half a dozen other agancys, who will then fax the various details to the appropriate embassy (this parts in arabic) You then supply your travel details inc copys of tickets with your application (mine was part Arabic / part English) and wait. I was flying in from London via the Emirates and had to keep changing flights until it came through a week after I was meant to fly in (this is normal and Saudi Air are very accommodating) – From Sudan I really don’t know if it would be possible for a European / non Muslim but stuff changes and Saudi seems to opening up slowly

I can confirm that women travelling alone will not be allowed entry unless accompanied by a husband (you need a marriage cert) or brother (same name on PP) The only exception to this is if you can get a work permit (eg agency nurse or get your sponsor to say they are a nanny who they are going to employ) Women, amongst other things, will not be allowed to drive.

As an alternative, have you thought about crossing to Yemen and then into Oman? Yemen’s a nice place despite what you read and its fairly strait forward in comparison to get an Omani visa. There are plenty of Dhows that run between Aden and Salalla that carry locals although the land boarder has been closed for years.

Realistically I think Egypt to Libya would be the easier option

Hope this helps and doent put you off


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I have heard of people taking the ferry from Port Sudan across the Red Sea to Saudi. They only had transit visa for Saudi which are valid for a couple of days. Transit visa are issued provided you already have an onward visa e.g. for Jordan.

happy travels,
Camiel

Hi Corne,

indeed, women seeking to travel alone or driving a car in Saudia Arabia will be facing severe problems. Being accompanied by her husband, wearing a decent suit (blackscarf and long dress) will do. My wife got used to this practice very quickly.

Coming from Djibouti in Dec 2000 we took the only opportunity there to cross the Read Sea to Yemen (Mokha) by using a local wooden dhow. I must however advise you firmly against considering this means of transport for a heavy LandCruiser-type vehicle. Instead, I would like to recommend you to go from Port Sudan (Suakin) by regular ferry boat service to Djeddah (Saudi Arabia).

What you then need is: A Jordan visa (to be easily obtained in Khartoum), and a Saudi TRANSIT VISA BY LAND, obtained in Khartoum within a day or two. What you also need for that purpose is to get a 'Letter of Introduction' from your country's embassy in Khartoum. The Saudi transit visa entitles you to transverse SA within 3 days. This time given is absolutely sufficient, authoroties might perhaps tolerate a slightly longer travelling time.

It is strongly recommended to apply for the Syrian visa in Khartoum, too. According to our experience, it is nearly IMPOSSIBLE to get the Syrian visa in Amman!

The information given above regarding the alledgedly non-existing possibility of crossing the Yemen/Oman border is ABSOLUTE NONSENSE. You can go on excellent tarmac road from Sanaa via Marib to Sayun (Wadi Hadramaut) and from there via Mukalla to Al Ghaydah following the road along the Arabian Sea coast. From Al Ghaydah there exists an excellent new tarmac road to the international border post at Medinat Shihan (17°48'N, 52°33'E). From there you can easily drive down to Salalah or north to Nizwa.

In my opinion forget about going to Egypt and Libya: This would definitely be only an expensive and troublesome experience.

Reinhart Mazur

For more information, visit http://www.tlc-exped.net/R21Info.html

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