Sahara desert tour in Libya

WHAT TO DO AND WHAT TO SEE IN LIBYA?

This trip review illustrates an adventurous tour though the sand dunes and rocks of central Sahara desert in Libya, Fezzan region. After a flight from Italy to Sebha via Tripoli, the Sahara desert's "capital" of the south, the great adventure begins on a 4x4 with overnights in a tent. The itinerary follows Oued Mathendous, the caves of Techouinet and In Habater with their beautiful ancient paintings, the Acacus, Murzuk sand dunes and the ancient ruins of Germa. The trips ends between the orange sand dunes of Ubari (Oubari) oasis with its fantastic lakes and palm trees. Short stop in Tripoli and the ancient Leptis Magna, before flying back to Italy.

A trip to Libya is therefore recommended for all enthusiasts of the desert and to those who love the outdoors life in such harsh and unusual landscapes. Who is interested in geology will find this tour particularly interesting because the total absence of vegetation exposes the history of this immense region, through the surface of the rocks. A hike in the beautiful Leptis Magna (near Tripoli), an ancient Roman city among the most spectacular in the world, will be a pleasant diversion between sand dunes and rocks.

HOW TO GET TO THE SAHARA DESERT IN LIBYA?

The main gateway to the Sahara desert in Libya is usually the city of Sebha, that can be reached by almost daily flights from Tripoli (flight time is approximately one hour). Alternatively, Sebha may be also reached via land through a long day trip by 4x4 from Tripoli. Once in Sebha, the real adventure starts driving further south into the desert. Traveling in the Sahara requires lot of experience and you will need good guides and Toyota (or similar) cars: there are a number of local agencies offering these trips and they usually work together with tour operators from all over the world, to offer complete packages including flights and transfers.

WHAT IS THE BEST SEASON TO GO TO LIBYA?

The best season to visit Libya and the Sahara Desert is from October to March, when temperatures make excursions in the heart of the desert with fewer risks for the cars and for the tourists (summer temperatures often exceed 40-45 degrees Celsius). During the winter you must not forget that although the journey takes place in the middle of a desert, the night temperatures can drop a lot, occasionally approaching the freezing point. This happens because of the distance from the sea that leads to a markedly continental climate. Usually, you will not need a good rain gear while traveling in the Sahara desert :-) although everything may happen...

IS IT SAFE TO TRAVEL TO LIBYA?

This Libya trip review comes from an expedition to Sahara desert in year 2007. At that time, I've found Libya to be safe and full of wonderful people only, but I have no authority to say if the country is actually safe or not, as many things have changed in the Middle East during the followings years. To check updated safety situation and travel advisory for Libya, please consult the Foreign Minister's web site of the country where you live.