1,000 Libyans hit the road in a revolutionary convoy

Tuesday, December 15, 2020

Long before, a road trip through Libya’s desert would have sounded like a holiday in hell; however, two months into a ceasefire, adventurous travelers are exploring the Sahara by four-wheel drive.

While foreigners are still staying away from the country after a decade of war –around 1,000 Libyans recently hit the road in a revolutionary convoy of 300 all-terrain vehicles through the sandy wilderness.

They wished to rediscover the natural beauty of a country that boasts of sweeping desert vistas, hidden oasis towns, ancient Greek, Roman ruins and a Mediterranean coastline.

The enthusiasts were all men, wearing sunglasses and outdoor gear. They started their journey at Al-Qaryah Al-Gharbiyah, a crossroads town known as the “Gateway to the Sahara”, 350 kilometres (220 miles) south of Tripoli.
After filling their tanks and checking their gear and supplies, the travelers headed off in a cloud of dust through a sun-baked landscape where the desert is framed by ochre mountains.

Joumaa Omar, a tour guide specialized in Sahara trips, called this journey a “reunion of brothers” and a symbol of peace in a country ravaged by violence. The group of travelers was headed for Tadrart Acacus, a mountain range near the Algerian border famous for its dramatic rock formations and World Heritage-listed prehistoric cave paintings.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, participants had to present negative tests and travel separated into “small groups, to respect social distancing”, said Omar.

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