Libya: Is it possible to wander around on your own?

[Victoria Brooks]

I am considering a cruise that stops in Libyan ports including Tripoli and want to know if it is possible to ditch the bus tours and wander around as an individual traveler. i understand that you can't get a visa unless you are part of a tour group and that you are supposed to have a guide. What think? Is it possible to wander unescorted? 

[Mahmood M Poonja]

To the best of my knowledge the visas for cruise passengers are given on a group basis. This would not allow you to wander on your own. In the case of the land tours that we do, visas are granted on an individual basis and though an itinerary is prefixed, it does not restrict us to alter the program - that too without having to go back to any authorities. Mahmood Poonja / Bestway Tours & Safaris

[Victoria Brooks]

Do you do individual land tours? As an example what would the cost be to pick myself and husband up at the ship in a decent car and take us to the Medina in Tripoli for shopping for a half day? Would it be allowed for the driver/escort to drop us off and wait while we went around on our own?
We are Canadians. What is the routine and time frame with passports away for getting visas for us on an individual basis?

Mahmood M Poonja said:

To the best of my knowledge the visas for cruise passengers are given on a group basis. This would not allow you to wander on your own. In the case of the land tours that we do, visas are granted on an individual basis and though an itinerary is prefixed, it does not restrict us to alter the program - that too without having to go back to any authorities. Mahmood Poonja / Bestway Tours & Safaris

[Mahmood M Poonja]

The whole matter depends on who is the sponsoring organisation that is handling your visas. To the best of my understanding in your case it will be the official agents of the cruise company. So your entry into Libya is dependent on that. Your best bet would be to ask the cruise company to see if they can organise a private tour for you. If you were doing a long program then it would allow us or other tour operators to come into and do private tours which we have done for many of our clients. In order to see what Libya or Tripoli has to offer visit www.bestway.com and scroll under Africa or directly under Libya.

Victoria Brooks said:

Do you do individual land tours? As an example what would the cost be to pick myself and husband up at the ship in a decent car and take us to the Medina in Tripoli for shopping for a half day? Would it be allowed for the driver/escort to drop us off and wait while we went around on our own?
We are Canadians. What is the routine and time frame with passports away for getting visas for us on an individual basis?

Mahmood M Poonja said:

To the best of my knowledge the visas for cruise passengers are given on a group basis. This would not allow you to wander on your own. In the case of the land tours that we do, visas are granted on an individual basis and though an itinerary is prefixed, it does not restrict us to alter the program - that too without having to go back to any authorities. Mahmood Poonja / Bestway Tours & Safaris