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Ghedamess is an oasis in the middle of the desert, south-west of Tripoli . it is accessible by road or by plane. It is certainly the most illustrious and prettiest oasis of the Libyan Sahara to which visitors have given it the name of " the jewel of the desert ".

It is one of the most ancient cities in the Libyan Sahara. It was called Idamus it was occupied by Carthage in 790 B. C and after six centuries, the city fell under the roman domination and played an important role as the last roman site in the Tripoli desert area. In the 7th century, it was conquered by the Arab Muslims under the leadership of Okhba Bin Nafaa.

Ghedamess city was surrounded by a semi-circular wall which a number of gates closed at sunset time in the old days.

The buildings were constructed using clay and there are four main streets dividing the city, each street ends at a square for public gathering.

The main streets are connected by narrow roofed lanes, also Ghedamess city is famous for its upper streets which are devoted for women only.

In general Ghedamess is characterized by its local Islamic architecture including some religious sites such as Sidi Younis Mosque and Okhba Mosque.

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Ghat

Ghat is situated in the south-west of Libya, in the valley of Tanzoft surrounded by the mountains of Missak Milt and to the east by the Akakuss mountains, to the west by the hills of the eastern Tassili, the attitude of this little desert town is estimated at 697meters above sea level.

Twareg called it "land of peace"
In the old Libyan language it was called "land of sun".
Its foundation dated back to the Garamante period, as an advanced defense point.
Ghat reflects the image of the old Sahara cities with all of their marvel and ambiguity.
It was erected on ruins of a town called "Rana" at the end of the first century B. C.
Ghat acquired its present name in the 14th century as it came in the books of geographers and travelers
Its quadric wall towers are still being seen as a concrete evidence on its prosperous days during the old ages
In the neighboring area, there are dozens of prehistoric rock-arts in caves of "Akakuss" and "Tassili" mountains which extend from Ghat to the Niger borders.
At a distance of 6 kilometers west Ghat, there are caves of wadi Fit, wadi Tchiwenat.

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Jebel Akakus

This is one of the more fascinating and beautiful areas of Libya. The mountains of Jebel Akakus cover a vast area of Fezzen east of Ghat. They contain some of the world's best examples of cave art, some dating back 12,000 years. The scenes depict hunting, festivities, wild and domesticated animals and love making. They suggest there was a higher rainfall and more temperate climate here in the past.

The area appears like an extensive, high sandstone plateaus that has been eroded away into hundreds of complex rock formations and wadis. Many days can be spent exploring this magnificent wilderness. There are several water holes in Akakus and occasionally you may encounter a Tuareg with his dog or see their grass hut or their goats. These people have often refused education and better housing preferring instead to live in this wilderness in their traditional manner.

This is one of the better areas for trekking in the deserts, shady wadis wind their way through magnificent rock scenery and some of the mountains may be scrambled up in a short time offering beautiful panoramas.

Wadi Tashwinet or Wadi Tashween, is one of the major wadis of Akakus. It is about 60 kilometers long with innumerable side wadis leading off. It is popular not only for its scenery but for its concentration of caves with some of the better examples of Akakus cave carvings and cave paintings. It is likely that you will encounter another group in this wadi.

Visitors are required to have a guide with them here. Not only to help them find their way through the intricate maze of wadis but also to help protect the unique treasures of the area. Sadly some of the drawings have already been defaced by souvenirs hunters or others trying to make copies.

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Waw Al Namuss and Zwila

Described by one guide book as the most remote place in the world on account of it lying almost in the middle of the Sahara Waw al-Namuss lives up to this reputation when you are driving to it. However is also referred to as the eight wonder of the world. The ancient volcano has several superbly set lakes in its crater and a full day can be spent here waking up the volcano and swimming in the lakes - but bring a mosquito repellant.

On the way to Waw al-Namuss one passes the old town of Zwila where at a place called As-Sahaba seven tombs are found belonging to seven of Mohammed's followers who died here in battle.

Wadi Methkandoush and Idehan Murzuq

The Idehan Murzuq is one of the world's greatest sand dune deserts, where few people ever venture. Dune after dune rise 100 or 200 meters above the flat-bottomed valleys of white sand. Sharp sand ridges lead to elegant summits. The edges of this great sea of sand offer good campsites and bases for visiting the unique Wadi Methkandoush that lies just 30km. north of the Murzuq Dunes.

The sandy Murzuq dunes give way to a stony desert that appears like an endless, flat sea of black rock. Wadi Methkandoush is about 12km long and contrasts sharply to the barren stone desert surrounding it. It winds gently amongst cliffs of sandstone out of which have been carved numerous fine animals, some carvings as old as 12,000yrs. and depicting elephant, hippopotamus, crocodile, giraffe and ostrich all suggesting a much more hospitable climate existed in the past with water was abundant.

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Ubari Oases

One of the wonders of the south-western Fezzen are the Ubari oases with their palm fringed saline lakes. Around the lakes rise beautiful sand dunes. After crossing the desert a swim in the lake followed by a rinse with nearby fresh well water is a most wonderful experience. Often Tuareg traders stay near the oasis selling a variety of souvenirs.

Recent lowering of the water table has caused the water level in some of the Ubari lakes to drop. Mandara, once on of the biggest, is now almost dry. The drop in water level has been attributed to the Great Man Made River Project.

The oases lie only 30 kilometers north of Germa but the journey involves some difficult passages in the Ubari sand dunes – a good 4 WD vehicle is essential.

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