Africa

Libya

Location

Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Egypt and Tunisia.

We advise against all but essential travel to all areas bordering Chad and Sudan. Libya shares with the rest of the North Africa region a threat from terrorism. Violent crime is not a major problem, although you should be aware of pickpockets and petty street crime. Weapons (various), ballistics danger areas, mines, vehicle security, personal security, bandits / corruption, gunfire, legal / illegal checkpoints, armed robberies, general travel, navigation, off road driving, building / office security, hot weather injuries, personal hygiene, sanitation / sterilisation, clothing & equipment, emergency first aid, helicopter safety, terrorism, cultures / customs, communications, emergency shelters.

Use bottled water only.

Mostly barren, flat to undulating plains, plateaus, depressions.

Mediterranean along coast; dry, extreme desert interior.

Hot, dry, dust-laden ghibli is a southern wind lasting one to four days in spring and autumn; dust storms, sandstorms.

Bacterial diarrhoea, bilharzia, cholera, hepatitis A, meningitis, polio, rabies, typhoid fever, yellow fever.
Hospital: El Khadra Hospital, Tripoli. Tel: 21-903301

Desertification; very limited natural fresh water resources; the Great Manmade River Project, the largest water development scheme in the world, is being built to bring water from large aquifers under the Sahara to coastal cities.

The roads are generally in good condition, although driving standards are poor. All off road ventures into the desert should be conducted in groups,with well prepared safety stores.

For more in-depth general information please download our Preparation and Training document.