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The Total Solar Eclipse of 2006 March 29 is set to be one of the best of recent years - it will be the longest until 2009, and certainly the most easily accessible for the next 10 years!
This total solar eclipse begins at sunrise at the coast of Brazil and the moon’s shadow swiftly crosses the central Atlantic before making a landfall at the Ivory Coast / Ghana border. The path of totality then curves through Togo and Benin, before entering and crossing Nigeria. Exiting that country, the path then traverses central Niger, gaining in duration all the time before sweeping across the very northwestern tip of Chad. Maximum eclipse duration of 247 seconds is reached just across the Libyan border, and the umbra again departs land at the border of Egypt and Libya. After crossing the Mediterranean Sea, Turkey is quickly crossed and then Russia, where the moon’s shadow leaves earth at local sunset.
The Wild Frontiers / Africlipse tour group will observe the eclipse, a mere 3 seconds off maximum duration, in north-central Libya, south of Jalu Oasis. This location has been chosen for maximum duration, best chance of clear skies, and the dramatic desert scenery in the vicinity. It is also the most easily accessed site closest to the point of maximum duration. Geographic coordinates of the planned centreline camp are:
28º 13.83’ North
21º 30.40’ East
These coordinates are EXACTLY on the centreline (based on a Delta-T of 68.6 seconds) and our position can very easily be adjusted by several hundreds of meters (if necessary) to accommodate any slight change in Delta-T.
This location is approximately 10 km west of the main desert road from Benghazi to Al Kufra. |
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At this location, there is virtually no chance of cloud, and the sun will be handily placed at an altitude of about 65 degrees. The desert scenery at this location in the Libyan Great Sand Sea, to say the least, is both dramatic and awesome. |
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Luxury 3-man trekking tents with 3” mattresses and blankets but only 2 per tent to ensure comfort. |
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Local circumstances (eclipse timings) at Wild Frontiers Centreline Camp are expected to be Phase Time UT Libyan Local Time
1st Contact (eclipse begins) 09:08:21 11:08:21
2nd Contact (totality begins) 10:26:30 12:26:30
Mid Eclipse (mid totality) 10:28:32 12:28:32
3rd Contact (totality ends) 10:30:34 12:30:34
4th Contact (eclipse ends) 11:49:55 13:49:55
The group will stay at the pre-erected camp RIGHT ON the centreline and will be accommodated in 3 man trekking tents (only 2 people per tent) with bedding and mattresses etc, with toilets and showers provided. A large "mess area" is being set up, large enough for our group to eat and socialise etc, and also as shelter from the desert wind and sun.
A recent 3-day reconnaissance trip to the planned campsite has forced the change from "walk-in tents" to trekking tents – the desert wind can get HEAVY across the Great Sand Sea, and one night out in the desert convinced us that walk-in tents had inherent problems with getting blown away!!
Showers will be communal – male and female – and toilet and washing areas will be adjacent to the groups of tents.
The trip has been split into modules, to allow people maximum freedom of choice.
Note: This tour is attracting phenomenal interest and due to the logistics involved we are limited to taking only 100 guests to our “desert camp”. A nonrefundable deposit of USD 250 per person is required to secure your place, with the balance due in good time. |
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DAY 1 – 21 MARCH – On arrival in Cairo we are met and transferred to our hotel (use of day rooms). Later we meet our guide and enjoy a tour to the superb Egyptian Museum, the Pyramids and Sphinx. In the evening we board the overnight sleeper train to Aswan.
DAY 2 – 22 MARCH – On arrival in Aswan we are taken to our comfortable Nile Cruise boat where we leave our bags for check-in. There is an option to visit the amazing monuments carved out of the “mountain” at Abu Simbel or Philae – the temple complex of Isis. (If one takes this option, lunch will not be included!). For those who want to explore Aswan, we take a walk through the colourful Nubian Bazaar before enjoying lunch on board. In the afternoon we sail to Komombo. FB (depending on options taken).
DAY 3 – 23 MARCH – At Komombo we visit the delightful classically-ruined Temple of Sobek, the crocodile-headed God, and then continue cruising down river to Edfu, where we explore the very well-preserved Temple of Horus, the falcon-headed God. FB.
DAY 4 – 24 MARCH – Enjoying timeless scenes of river life, we negotiate the lock at Esna and arrive in Luxor, known in ancient times as Thebes, with its outstanding collection of ancient tombs, temples and other attractions. We recommend a visit to the Karnak Temple this afternoon followed by the sound and light show in the evening (optional not included). The Temple is a spectacular complex of sanctuaries, kiosks, pylons and obelisks, all dedicated to the Theban gods and to the greater glory of Egypt’s pharaohs. FB.
DAY 5 – 25 MARCH – Early this morning we cross the Nile to visit the principal sites on the West Bank. With our guide we explore the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon. We then return to the east bank where day use hotel rooms are provided. We catch the lunchtime flight to Cairo to connect to Libyan Arab Airlines flight to Tripoli at 1425. Continued in Module 2 |
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Please remember - there are ONLY 100 places on this tour! Very definitely first come first served. Click to download details. [MS-Word] [Text]
E-mail Peter now for details or download the detailed itinerary by clicking on the links above.
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Please remember - there are ONLY 100 places on this tour! Very definitely first come first served. Click to download details. [MS-Word] [Text]
E-mail Peter now for details or download the detailed itinerary by clicking on the links above.
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DAY 1 – 31 MARCH – evening flight to Sebha. Overnight Hotel.
DAY 2 – 01 APRIL - in quality 4x4’s with experienced guides, we travel to the Dhan Meziqu dunes via Germa and Wadi Methandouch. Camping. DAY 3 – 02 APRIL – cross-country to the Akakus Mountains, via Massak and the Dan Cassa dunefields. Camping.
DAY 4 / 5 – 03/ 04 APRIL – exploration of the area. Camping. |
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DAY 6 – 05 APRIL – via Ghat en route to Oubari Dunes. Camp after Ghat.
DAY 7 – 06 APRIL – via the Oubari Dunes to camp near the lakes.
DAY 8 – 07 APRIL – explore the famous lake / oasis region, evening flight to Tripoli. Overnight 4 star hotel.
DAY 9 – 08 APRIL – transfer to airport. |
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Please remember - there are ONLY 100 places on this tour! Very definitely first come first served. Click to download details. [MS-Word] [Text]
E-mail Peter now for details or download the detailed itinerary by clicking on the links above.
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LATEST NEWS IMPORTANT STUFF RE VISAS, TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS ETC. |
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Remember - there are ONLY 100 places on this tour! Very definitely first come first served. Click to download details. [MS-Word] [Text]
E-mail Peter now for details or download the detailed itinerary by clicking on the links above.
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Yep - we were there all right! And made to feel very welcome by all Libyans! |
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Our team in Libya is made up of desert-hardened men. Here is a picture of John and I with the reconnaissance crew, who were of inestimable value, and whose desert craft (and cooking) left us in no doubt that we were in good hands. |
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