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Columns and sculptures, Roman ruins, Sabratha

Introducing Libya

Travel Alert: Border areas with Sudan, Chad, Niger and Algeria are potentially dangerous. Check Safe Travel for current government warnings. Read this article by Lonely Planet author Anthony Ham, for up to date travel advice.

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Libya is a crossroads of history, continents and ancient empires. Home to the Mediterranean’s richest store of Roman and Greek cities – Sabratha, Cyrene and, above all, Leptis Magna – each of which is overlaid by remnants of Byzantine splendour, it’s a place where history comes alive through the extraordinary monuments on its shores. Every corner of cosmopolitan Tripoli resonates with a different period of history. It’s where the Sahara meets the Mediterranean.

Libya is also home to Africa’s most exceptional and accessible desert scenery. The Sahara engulfs over 90% of the country, offering up vast sand seas the size of small European countries. Visit the enchanting oasis towns of Ghadames and Ghat, where the caravans once showcased the riches of Africa. Marvel at palm-fringed lakes surrounded by sand dunes in the desert’s heart. Be bewitched by extinct volcanoes, such as Waw al-Namus, where black sand encircles multicoloured lakes. Go deeper into the desert and experience Jebel Acacus, one of the world’s finest open-air galleries of prehistoric rock art.

One important point to note is that visits to Libya can only be made as part of an organised tour. While those of you accustomed to travelling independently would probably love the chance to do so in Libya, remember that Libya is a vast country and on a tour you’ll be able to cover so much more territory than you otherwise could. Remember also that organised groups can be as small as a party of one (plus guide) and with most tour companies you can design your own itinerary.

Last updated: Jul 28, 2010

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Thorn Tree forum discussion

Recent posts

  1. martinbreidenbach avatar
    TC

    by martinbreidenbach 5 replies, last post 03 September 2010

    Can you still not use travellers cheques in Iran? Thanks
  2. mateosh40 avatar
    Anyone one want to join me on my Libyan Sahara Trip in November 2010?

    by mateosh40 0 replies, last post 30 August 2010

    I'm hoping someone will join me on my trip to the Libyan Sahara both for the company and to save on the cost. Azgar Tours is organizing…
  3. bannedagain avatar
    Whats the current situation in Libya?

    by bannedagain 7 replies, last post 02 September 2010

    In 2009 i looked into visiting Libya, but from what i could find out, i needed an organised tour, which seemed pretty expensive, and as…

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