Book cheap flights to Benghazi

The best time to visit Benghazi is during the summer time, occurring between May and October, when you can enjoy the sunny Mediterranean coast. The cooler months, between November and February are also pleasant as the city doesn’t experience much rainfall and the low season attracts fewer tourists. Unfortunately, Benghazi is a very volatile area at the moment, having recently experienced terrorist attacks in and around the region. Avoid travelling to areas targeted by criminal activity and stay updated on current affairs in the country.

South African passport holders travelling to Benghazi do require a visa to enter Libya.

Leaving Libya requires the right stamps in your passport. Your hotel is expected to present your passport to the authorities where your visa will be stamped – make sure this is done prior to checking out. Ensure your South African passport has at least 6 months remaining on it from your return date and that there are at least 3 blank pages available for stamps.

Libyan Immigration officials are known to frequently change visa regulations, so contact the embassy for the latest updates. The Libyan Embassy in South Africa is at 900 Church/ Balmoral Street, Arcadia, Pretoria. Tel: 012 342 3902.

The South African Embassy in Libya is in Tripoli. Address: Al-Jamhuriyah Street (Al-Qadisiyah Square), Bin Ashour, Tripoli. Phone: 218 21 333 7006.

Travel to Benghazi is currently not advisable, due to its volatile political situation with terrorist groups. This is unfortunate, as the port city has many attractions and beautiful scenery to offer visitors. If you do plan on visiting Benghazi, make sure accommodation and other travel arrangements are confirmed ahead of time. Consider security arrangements (especially when commuting to and from the airport) and contingency plans, should you feel unsafe. If you are unsure of safety regulations, check with the local Libyan Embassy.

There are no vaccinations required for travellers to Libya, although a vaccination against Typhoid is strongly recommended due to the possibility of contaminated food and water. Note that not all bottled water is safe to drink – stick to international brands of bottled water. It is strongly advised to take out comprehensive medical and travel insurance before departing.

Benghazi has a small range of accommodation options, from basic hotels to luxury establishments. The locals are extremely friendly and hospitable and often welcome tourists to stay at their homes. If you find yourself staying in a family’s home, be respectful of their customs and avoid discussing controversial topics. If you are staying near a mosque, you can expect to hear prayer callings starting in the early mornings, carried out at intervals throughout the day.

The beachfront caters for more upmarket accommodation, with most of the hotels suited towards business travellers.

The best and safest way to get around the city is via taxis. The small black-and-white taxis are generally safe, but make sure you learn the term “Shweyah-Shweyah”, which means “slow down”. Negotiate the price before getting in – a trip around town should cost between 5 and 10 Dinars. If you are needing transport for a few days, try to strike up a good relationship with a reliable driver and get his number for future trips.

Bear in mind that shuttling between the airport can be expensive as the airport is a long drive from town.