Libya
Because of continuing political upheavals, all our trips to LIBYA are on hold until further notice.
Libya is home to some of the most magnificent Greek and Roman ruins, sites of prehistoric rock art and stunning desert scenery anywhere on earth.
From the beautiful Mediterranean coast, where the ancient civilisations of Leptis Magna and Sabratha amaze the visitor, to the stunning sand seas, desert lakes, canyons and spectacular mountains of the Fezzan, Libya is a fascinating country.
Bordering the Mediterranean Sea to the north, Libya lies between Egypt to the east, Sudan to the southeast, Chad and Niger to the south, and Algeria and Tunisia to the west. With an area of almost 1.8 million square kilometres (700,000 sq mi), 90% of which is desert, Libya is the fourth largest country in Africa by area, and receives a fraction of the visitors to its neighbours, so the sites as yet remain uncrowded.
Home to so many incredible ancient sites; such extraordinary and differing unspoilt desert landscapes and such a truly hospitable and welcoming people, for the intrepid traveller Libya makes a perfect short-haul cultural or adventure destination.
How to book a trip
Group Tours
We currently have no group tours scheduled to Libya
What to do in Libya
Camp among the Sahara dunes
Acacus Desert
Drive by 4WD Jeep through the town of Al-Awainat (Serdeles in Tuareg language), which is the gateway into the Jebel Acacus region of the Sahara desert. Spend the next two days exploring this fascinating region and viewing some of the famous prehistoric rock paintings and carvings dating back as far as 12,000 years. During your exploration, you will visit the breathtaking scenery of Wadi Awiss, Wadi Tashwinat and Wadi Anshal, the dark basalt monoliths, the spectacular 150 metre high natural arch of Afozeghar, the famous "finger rock" of Wadi Adhad and, literally, thousands of paintings including wedding and social scenes, chariots and herding and hunting images.
Visit the amazing sites of Cyrene
Cyrene & Apollonia
Enjoy a excursion to Cyrene and Apollonia. Cyrene was founded in 630BC by settlers from the Greek island of Thera (modern day Santorini) and soon became the leading Greek city of the Pentapolis, its wealth built on the export of Silphium (giant fennel, now extinct) . The city remained an important centre until the earthquake of 262AD, after which it fell into decline. Cyrene gave eastern Libya the classical name Cyrenaica that it has retained to modern times. Afterwards visit Apollonia which served as the harbour of Cyrene - today it is particularly famous for its 3 Byzantine churches and the 100 room Palace (previously the Roman commanders house), as well as its Romano-Greek ruins.
Explore the oasis of Ghadames
Ghadames
Ghadames is a real highlight and we recommend a visit here should be inluded in your tour. Walk around the delightful old town with its labyrinthine of passages (covered walk ways that create what is almost an underground network of passageways), intricately decorated mud brick buildings, palm-trunk doors and a fascinating museum. Have lunch in a traditional house; the ground floor is used to store supplies, the first floor is for the family and, at the top, open-air terraces reserved for the women. In the afternoon take a 4WD excursion into the desert to see the sun set over the sand dunes and Ras al-Ghoul (mountain of ghosts).
Discover the Nafusa Mounatins
Tripoli
South of Tripoli explore the historical sites within the Nafusa Mountains. First visit to Qasr al-Haj, that hosts the most important example of Berber architecture in the country - a wonderfully preserved centuries-old grain store. Next see the abandoned village of Tormisa with its stunning views atop an escarpment and then onto Gharyan where we visit a Berber troglodyte house with its rooms circled around a central courtyard 6-7 metres below ground.
Go back in time at Sabratha
Tripoli
Enjoy an excursion to stunning Sabratha, one of the three Tripolitanian cities and perhaps only second to Leptis Magna as one of the most beautiful ruined Roman cities on the Mediterranean coast. Discover its many streets with all the features of Roman cities. Some of the most significant monuments are a stunning 2nd century Colonnaded Theatre, the Temple of Liber Pater, Forum, Imperial Basilica, Temple of Serapis, Basilica of Justinian and Temple of Hercules. There is also a museum housing fine mosaic work.
Sleep in a Troglodyte Guesthouse
Gharyan
Gharyan is located in Nafusa Mountain, about 100 km south of the capital Tripoli. It's famous troglodyte caves that have been dug vertically down into the rocky ground, apparently to protect from the weather and are also well hidden and almost invisible from the outside. Local people have carved homes from inside the rock caves and several have been turned into traditional guesthouses. The rooms allow guests to really experience Libyan culture while getting a good night's sleep.
Visit the ruins of Leptis Magna
Tripoli
With your guide, begin to explore the paved streets of this World Heritage Site visiting the market place, theatre, the many forums, pink marble baths and the vast amphitheatre, you'll be amazed. Walking through the ruins, it is difficult to conceive that the buildings you pass through are over 1700 years old. Overlooking the Mediterranean the setting is wonderful and such is the state of preservation that it is easy to imagine the bustling city in its heyday.
See the sights of Tripoli
Tripoli
During your stay we suggest you explore Tripoli Green Square and the old walled medina. Visit the Roman Arch of Marcus Aurelius, dedicated to the Emperor in AD 163; the Karamanli House, its open courtyard surrounded by colonnaded balconies are an excellent example of 19th century bourgeois life; and some of the various mosques including the Gurgi Mosque, its slender minaret being the tallest in the medina. Your guide will also take you around the magnificent Jamahiriya or National Museum. The museum has an impressive collection of ancient artefacts as well as displays tracing Libyan culture and history.
How to book a trip
Group Tours
We currently have no group tours scheduled to Libya
Where to stay in Libya
Al-Nouran Hotel
Benghazi
The Al-Nouran is a new four star hotel that has an almost European sense of style and decor.All rooms are very...
Ben Yedder Hotel
Ghadames
The Ben Yedder Hotel is a centrally located three star family-run hotel near to old city, making a good base from which...
Corinthia Bab Africa Hotel
Tripoli
This five star hotel has 299 luxurious rooms with spectacular views over the city and the sea.All have broadband,...
Dar Arkno Villa
Tripoli
The newly enlarged Dar Arkno villa sits in a quiet street approximately ten minutes walk from Tripoli city centre and...
Dar Ghadames
Ghadames
The four star Dar Ghadames Hotel has been newly built, and carefully designed to look like a traditional local...
The Severus Hotel
Leptis Magna
The three star Severus hotel is situated near Al-Khoms and is only a few kilometres from Leptis Magna , making it the...
Wild Camping
Acacus Desert
Camp in the desert in modern dome tents. All camping equipment is provided although you might like to bring your own...
How to book a trip
Group Tours
We currently have no group tours scheduled to Libya
Suggested Itineraries
How to book a trip
Group Tours
We currently have no group tours scheduled to Libya
Libya Travel Guide
Benghazi
The second city of Libya, Benghazi is a bustling port and commercial centre. This stretch of Mediterranean coastline has seen many invaders, from as far back as the sixth century BC. More recently in WW II the city saw over a thousand bombs fall upon it, causing great damage. This now modern city, with luxury hotels and up to date facilities is the ideal from which to explore the Cyrenaica region.
Cyrene & Apollonia
The Greek ruins at Cyrene are only partly excavated have a fantastic setting in the beautiful Akhdar Mountains, looking out in direction of the Mediterranean Sea. Wandering around the remains, with a green and fertile valley below, and a forest on the hill above, it is not difficult to imagine life here 2,500 years ago when it was a wealthy, important city. Cyrene’s port, Apollonia is 18 km away and is on a beautiful part of the coast.
Al Bayda
Al-Bayda is the best base for those exploring the great ruins of Cyrene and Apollonia. Cyrene's port, Apollonia is 18 km away and is on a beautiful part of the coast. The town itself has a number of colonial-style buildings, and an influential Islamic university. It lies on a high ridge of the Green Mountains, 30 km south of the Mediterranean Sea. Much of the economy is reliant on agriculture, of which the region is famous for its apples, grapes and shmari fruit.
Sebha
Once the capital of the Fezzan, Sebha is an important regional town. Still a major Saharan transportation hub motor caravans from Algeria, Niger, Chad and even Tunisia pass through Sebha on their way to the Mediterranean Sea. Local agriculture is quite diverse, producing barley, wheat, onions and dates although much of the town's food and water must be transported from other oases. A few sections of the old quarters still stand, with mud-brick houses and covered alleyways. The old Italian Fort Elena rests on a nearby hill, and is used as a military base. Sebha is also known as the town where the Libyan leader, Mu'ammar Gadhafi, was educated.
Tripoli
On the shores of the Mediterranean sits Tripoli, the Libyan capital, and buried beneath lies Oea, which together with Sabratha and Leptis Magna give the western province its Roman name of 'tripolis' or Tripolitania - 'the land of three cities'. Fanned by the sea breeze, Tripoli enjoys a pleasant temperature year round, making it a joy to explore. The old whitewashed walls, some of which date from the fourth century, enclose the old Medina. It is the most northerly point of Tripoli, with the sea lapping at two of its sides. The architecture of this old city has a European influence, with many iron balconies and wooden window shutters. Although damaged in World War II, during the Italian occupation, the old city has remained mostly intact.
Leptis Magna
Leptis Magna on the Mediterranean Sea coast is considered to be the most attractive archaeological site in Libya and one of the best preserved ancient cities in the world. The city was founded by the Phoenicians in the 5th century BC and reached its zenith under the Romans in the 3rd century AD. As the birthplace of the Emperor Septimus Severus (ruled 193-211AD) much money was spent on the city creating an architectural masterpiece, much of which remains today due to being covered by the desert sand for centuries.
Ghadames
Known as the 'pearl of the desert', the ancient city of Ghadames was an important stopping off point on the trans-Saharan caravan route. An ideal location between Timbuktu and the Mediterranean coastal cities of Libya, Ghadames grew into a large town. Standing in an oasis, the whitewashed mud brick city of Ghadames is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site recognising the oldest pre-Saharan city as an outstanding example of a traditional settlement. Its desert architecture is unique.
Tobruk
Tobruk has a long history stretching back to the Greeks who colonised it before it became a Roman fortress town guarding the frontier of Cyrenaica. Later it was an important way point for traders travelling along the coastal caravan route. It became infamous however during the Second World War as the site of intense armoured fighting between the Axis and Allied forces. Today Tobruk is still an important port but the most poignant sights are the war cemeteries on the outskirts of town. On the 10th April 1949 the Allied garrison was attacked by Rommel's Africa Korps who laid siege to the town for 240 days.
Acacus Desert
The Acacus is the name given to the mountainous region of Libya’s south-western Sahara. An officially designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Acacus region offers spectacular desert and mountain scenery. There is a large variation of landscapes, from differently coloured sand dunes to arches, gorges, rocks and mountains. Major landmarks are the arches of Afzejare and Tin Khlega. Although this area is one of the most arid of the Sahara, there is some vegetation, such as the callotropis plant.
It is well know for its rock art and paintings extend back 12,000 years depicting the development of human societies and the animal life that was once abundant in the Sahara, such as giraffe and elephant. Travel in this remote area is invariably in 4WD vehicles and offers the perfect opportunity to step back into pre-history.
How to book a trip
Group Tours
We currently have no group tours scheduled to Libya
Libya Travel Information
Visa Information
UK Passport holders need a visa to enter Libya.
Your passport must be valid for at least six months after the end of your tour, and it must have at least one blank page for each visa required.
Please ensure the passport details we hold for you are correct.
Please note it is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct visa documentation when starting your tour. Country entry regulations can alter daily and it is always best to check with the relevant embassies for any changes.
The Libyan visa is issued on arrival at Tripoli Airport but must be pre-authorised. Therefore we need to send a scanned copy of your passport photo-page to our Libyan partner to arrange this. We will send you a copy of the Libyan visa authorisation a few days before you travel. PLEASE ENSURE YOU WILL HAVE ACCESS TO YOUR EMAILS AND A PRINTER, OR A FAX MACHINE AT THIS TIME AND THAT WE HAVE YOUR CONTACT DETAILS.
The Libyan authorities now require all visitors to obtain an Arabic translation of their passport details page stamped into their passport. Although at the time of writing this requirement has been officially withdrawn, our experience has shown that Libya can change its entry requirements without warning, and this has caused problems in the past with people being able to get their visa. Therefore we strongly recommend that you obtain this official Arabic translation in your passport before you depart the UK. You can either obtain this yourself or use a visa services company such as:
Travcour (UK)
Tempo House
15 Falcon Road
Battersea
London SW11 2PJ
Tel: 020 7223 5295
Fax: 020 7738 2617
Email: info@travcour.com
Website: www.travcour.com
Insurance:
Insurance that provides cover for emergency repatriation in case of a medical emergency is compulsory for all tours.
You should be aware that many standard insurance policies may not cover you adequately for all aspects of a Wild Frontiers trip and so we strongly recommend that you purchase a suitably designed insurance policy.
One such policy is the "Wild Frontiers" policy underwritten by Ace European Group Limited (ACE " firm reference 202803), which is available to EU residents (which excludes Norway & Switzerland) through our website or via the insurance company direct on 0845 345 3456. Under this policy there are two different levels of cover available.
Standard policy: a comprehensive travel insurance policy that provides cover for all Wild Frontiers activities, including trekking up to 6,000m. This policy does not provide cover for travel to areas where the FCO is advising against all or all but essential travel.
Elite policy: provides the same comprehensive level of cover as the standard policy. In addition the Elite policy also provides cover for travel to areas where the FCO is advising against all or all but essential travel. The policy will not provide cover for any claims arising from or relating to the reasons why the FCO is advising against travel.
If purchasing the Elite policy you also have the option to extend the cover provided by the policy to include cover for claims arising from a terrorist act in an area where the FCO is advising against travel. You can add this cover to your policy when purchasing online or over the telephone.
These policies are only available to those travelling on a Wild Frontiers holiday.
For more information and to purchase your policy online please visit the Insurance section of our website.
The cover is underwritten by Ace European Grou
Health and Vaccinations:
There are no mandatory immunisations for travellers to Libya though you should be up-to-date with Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio and Hepatitis A.
We also recommend:
• A dental check-up prior to travelling.
• You inform us now of any pre-existing medical conditions or medication.
To be on the safe side you can also check on www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk
How to book a trip
Group Tours
We currently have no group tours scheduled to Libya
