Introduction
Desert sands on your left, cosmopolitans by the sea on your right. Libya has it all: ancient cities of rare and exquisite splendour, the Sahara that you thought existed only in your imagination and the unmistakeable cachet of being ruled by one of modern history's most iconic figures, Colonel Muammar Qaddafi.
Destination Facts
Capital: Tripoli
De facto head of state: Colonel Muammar Abu Minyar al-Qaddafi
Secretary of the General People's Committee (Prime Minister): al-Baghdadi Ali al-Mahmudi
Government: Jamahiriya, or 'state of the masses', theoretically governed by the people
Time zone: GMT + 2
Area: 1759540
Population: 6000000
Languages: Sunni Muslim (97%), other, including Kharijites and Christians (3%)
Currency: Libyan Dinar (LD)
Country Dialing Code: 218
Getting There
Libya is at its best in October and November when the skies are clear, the temperatures are mild and, depending on end-of-summer rains, the desert may even have a greenish tinge in places. The next best period is from March through to early May, although there's a higher chance of sandstorms in April and, by May, temperatures are really starting to rise. December through to February is also a popular time, although temperatures can be surprisingly cool and night-time temperatures in the Sahara routinely drop below zero; 'sleeping' under the stars in sub-zero conditions is not recommended. In summer (mid-May to September), temperatures can be fiercely, unbearably, witheringly hot - don't even think of a desert expedition at this time.
Getting there and away
Since the lifting of UN sanctions, international flights to Libya have slowly been increasing. British Airways were the first off the blocks, with Royal Jordanian close behind. In addition, Afriqiyah, Lufthansa, Alitalia, EgyptAir, Emirates, Turkish Airlines and Olympic Airways are now helping connect Tripoli with most of the Arab capitals and with Europe and the Far East. Many travellers arrive and leave by cruise ship, but there are no ferry services to Libya. Land borders with Algeria, Niger, Sudan and Chad are rarely open to travellers. Land-crossings from Egypt (at Amsaad) or Tunisia (at Ras al-Jedir) are relatively hassle free. Your tour company should be waiting for you on the Libyan side of the border. Carry their phone number with you just in case. Leaving Libya, on the Egyptian side of the border shared taxis shuttle between the frontier and Sallum where you can get buses or service taxis to Marsa Matruh. From the Tunisian side you will need to take a shared taxi (louage) or bus 33km (20.5mi) to Ben Guerdane. Travellers who want to bring their own vehicle to Libya usually do so via a ferry bound for Tunis (Tunisia) from France or Italy.
Getting around
Libyan Arab Airlines and Al-Buraq Air each have two flights daily between Tripoli and Benghazi. Libyan Arab Airlines also has a daily flight from Tripoli to Sebha and twice-weekly flights to Ghat. Flights from Benghazi to Sebha (daily) and Al-Kufra are also available. All internal flights are prone to unexpected delays and cancellations. Libya's road system is sometimes excellent, smooth and fast; at other times it is rough, slow and downright dicey. Although air-con buses and yellow-and-white shared taxis (called roumees or aujra) cover most of the country, restrictions on individual travel mean that you're more likely to spend most of your time aboard 4WD vehicles. This obviously depends on which Libyan tour company you choose to travel with.
Visa:
Nationals of most African and Arab countries don't require visas to enter Libya. Everyone else does. Israeli citizens are not issued visas, nor those with Israeli stamps in their passports. Whether visas are issued to US nationals depends on the prevailing political winds. Visas are only issued to visitors travelling as part of an organised tour. In addition to organising a visa, your tour company will arrange all transport, accommodation, meals and a guide or escort in your language for the duration of your stay. We suggest that you contact a number of companies (both Libyan and international) to see which one best suits your needs.When dealing with your tour company prior to the issuing of a visa, make sure you specify the point where you plan to enter Libya.To enter Libya your passport must be valid for six months from the date of entry. Visas are valid for 30 days. Extensions are possible, but rare, and more likely to be granted if the application is made by a tour operator on your behalf.
Weather
With one of the harshest deserts in the world meeting the mild Mediterranean, most of Libya has a changeable climate. Summer is generally very hot, with average temperatures on the coast of around 30 ° C (86 ° F) and often accompanied by high humidity. In the south temperatures can reach a sweltering 50 ° C (122 ° F) or higher. Around 2500 years ago, the historian Herodotus claimed that 'in the upper parts of Libya, it is always summer'. And, yet, in winter the weather can be cool and rainy on the coast, even snowing occasionally in the mountains. Desert temperatures can drop to subfreezing at night; over the course of a year, Libya's desert regions receive less than 100mm (4in) of rain. During the spring in northern Libya, you may encounter the ghibli, a hot, dry, sandladen wind which can raise the temperature in a matter of hours to 50 ° C (122 ° F). The ghibli can last from just a few hours to several days.
Warning
Regions bordering Chad, Niger and Sudan are subject to banditry and military activity - travellers should avoid these areas.
Desert sands on your left, cosmopolitans by the sea on your right. Libya has it all: ancient cities of rare and exquisite splendour, the Sahara that you thought existed only in your imagination and the unmistakeable cachet of being ruled by one of modern history's most iconic figures, Colonel Muammar Qaddafi.
Destination Facts
Capital: Tripoli
De facto head of state: Colonel Muammar Abu Minyar al-Qaddafi
Secretary of the General People's Committee (Prime Minister): al-Baghdadi Ali al-Mahmudi
Government: Jamahiriya, or 'state of the masses', theoretically governed by the people
Time zone: GMT + 2
Area: 1759540
Population: 6000000
Languages: Sunni Muslim (97%), other, including Kharijites and Christians (3%)
Currency: Libyan Dinar (LD)
Country Dialing Code: 218
Getting There
Libya is at its best in October and November when the skies are clear, the temperatures are mild and, depending on end-of-summer rains, the desert may even have a greenish tinge in places. The next best period is from March through to early May, although there's a higher chance of sandstorms in April and, by May, temperatures are really starting to rise. December through to February is also a popular time, although temperatures can be surprisingly cool and night-time temperatures in the Sahara routinely drop below zero; 'sleeping' under the stars in sub-zero conditions is not recommended. In summer (mid-May to September), temperatures can be fiercely, unbearably, witheringly hot - don't even think of a desert expedition at this time.
Getting there and away
Since the lifting of UN sanctions, international flights to Libya have slowly been increasing. British Airways were the first off the blocks, with Royal Jordanian close behind. In addition, Afriqiyah, Lufthansa, Alitalia, EgyptAir, Emirates, Turkish Airlines and Olympic Airways are now helping connect Tripoli with most of the Arab capitals and with Europe and the Far East. Many travellers arrive and leave by cruise ship, but there are no ferry services to Libya. Land borders with Algeria, Niger, Sudan and Chad are rarely open to travellers. Land-crossings from Egypt (at Amsaad) or Tunisia (at Ras al-Jedir) are relatively hassle free. Your tour company should be waiting for you on the Libyan side of the border. Carry their phone number with you just in case. Leaving Libya, on the Egyptian side of the border shared taxis shuttle between the frontier and Sallum where you can get buses or service taxis to Marsa Matruh. From the Tunisian side you will need to take a shared taxi (louage) or bus 33km (20.5mi) to Ben Guerdane. Travellers who want to bring their own vehicle to Libya usually do so via a ferry bound for Tunis (Tunisia) from France or Italy.
Getting around
Libyan Arab Airlines and Al-Buraq Air each have two flights daily between Tripoli and Benghazi. Libyan Arab Airlines also has a daily flight from Tripoli to Sebha and twice-weekly flights to Ghat. Flights from Benghazi to Sebha (daily) and Al-Kufra are also available. All internal flights are prone to unexpected delays and cancellations. Libya's road system is sometimes excellent, smooth and fast; at other times it is rough, slow and downright dicey. Although air-con buses and yellow-and-white shared taxis (called roumees or aujra) cover most of the country, restrictions on individual travel mean that you're more likely to spend most of your time aboard 4WD vehicles. This obviously depends on which Libyan tour company you choose to travel with.
Visa:
Nationals of most African and Arab countries don't require visas to enter Libya. Everyone else does. Israeli citizens are not issued visas, nor those with Israeli stamps in their passports. Whether visas are issued to US nationals depends on the prevailing political winds. Visas are only issued to visitors travelling as part of an organised tour. In addition to organising a visa, your tour company will arrange all transport, accommodation, meals and a guide or escort in your language for the duration of your stay. We suggest that you contact a number of companies (both Libyan and international) to see which one best suits your needs.When dealing with your tour company prior to the issuing of a visa, make sure you specify the point where you plan to enter Libya.To enter Libya your passport must be valid for six months from the date of entry. Visas are valid for 30 days. Extensions are possible, but rare, and more likely to be granted if the application is made by a tour operator on your behalf.
Weather
With one of the harshest deserts in the world meeting the mild Mediterranean, most of Libya has a changeable climate. Summer is generally very hot, with average temperatures on the coast of around 30 ° C (86 ° F) and often accompanied by high humidity. In the south temperatures can reach a sweltering 50 ° C (122 ° F) or higher. Around 2500 years ago, the historian Herodotus claimed that 'in the upper parts of Libya, it is always summer'. And, yet, in winter the weather can be cool and rainy on the coast, even snowing occasionally in the mountains. Desert temperatures can drop to subfreezing at night; over the course of a year, Libya's desert regions receive less than 100mm (4in) of rain. During the spring in northern Libya, you may encounter the ghibli, a hot, dry, sandladen wind which can raise the temperature in a matter of hours to 50 ° C (122 ° F). The ghibli can last from just a few hours to several days.
Warning
Regions bordering Chad, Niger and Sudan are subject to banditry and military activity - travellers should avoid these areas.
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