Libya

Getting around

In this era of organised tours, getting around Libya couldn’t be easier because all transport within the country will be organised by your tour company.

Car & motorcycle

If you have your own vehicle, especially a 4WD, there are few limits on where you can go – the Tibesti region in the far southeast of the country is one area that is off-limits to travellers. You must be accompanied by at least one representative of the Libyan tour company who arranged your visa and who remains responsible for you for the duration of your stay.

Driving is on the right-hand side of the road, and Libyans generally drive as fast as they think they can get away with. For the record, all cars (including 4WDs) must stay on or below 100km/h on highways and 50km/hinside towns.

Libyan roads are maintained in excellent condition and petrol is cheap; you’ll fill your tank for around US$4. No matter how many times you’ve been waved through a checkpoint, never assume that you will be. Always slow down or stop until you get the wave from your friendly machine-gun-toting soldier.

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Tours

The following companies are among those that we either recommend or have had recommended to us by travellers. All are based in Tripoli unless stated otherwise.

Al-Muheet Tours (in Benghazi 061-9082084; www.almuheettours.net) The owner, Samy al-Ghibani, has a reputation for running an efficient and flexible company. It’s Benghazi-based.

Destination Libye (in Tripoli 021-4779854; www.dlibye.com) Specialises in French-language tours.

Robban Tourism Services (021-4441530; www.robban-tourism.com) Outstanding and professional small company with flexible itineraries and good guides; Hussein Founi should be your first port of call.

Sahara Link Travel (021-3343209; saharalink@hotmail.com)

Shati Zuara Travel & Tourism (in Zuara 091315 8229; www.shati-zuara.de in German) Very good Libyan company with its main base in Germany.

Sukra Travel & Tourism (021-3340604; www.sukra-travel.com)

Taknes Co (021-3350526; fax 021-3350525) The owner is the helpful Ali Shebli.

Wings Travel & Tours (021-3331855; www.wingstours.com)

Winzrik Tourism Services (021-3611123; www.winzrik.com) Libya’s largest and longest-standing tour company.

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Air

Libya’s domestic airline network is expanding rapidly with flights connecting Tripoli to Benghazi, Ghat, Houn, Lebreq (near Al-Bayda) and Sebha. There are also occasional flights to Ghadames, with more regular flights planned.

The two airlines that fly domestically in Libya are Al-Buraq Air (021-4444811; www.buraqair.com) and Libyan Arab Airlines (021-3616738; www.libyanarabairline.com).

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