Ubari Lakes
Libya · Fezzan · 450 m
Description
The Ubari Lakes are a scatter of small saline pools lying between enormous dunes in the Ubari Sand Sea, remnants of a far larger lake that filled the Fezzan when the Sahara was green. Around a dozen survive, ringed by palms and reeds, and several are saltier than the sea, so a swimmer floats without effort. Gabraoun and Umm al-Maa are the best known, and a Dawada community once lived beside them harvesting brine shrimp. The lakes are reached by four wheel drive across the dunes and are usually visited with an overnight camp.
Length of stay
Recommended length of stay: 1 to 3 days (optimal 2 days)
Travel season
Best time to visit: October – March
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Highlights
- Umm al-Maa lake
- Gabraoun lake & abandoned village
- Ubari Sand Sea dunes
- Floating in the salt lakes
- Desert camp overnight
- Mandara lakes
- Ubari stargazing
- Sandboarding on the erg
- Germa & Garamantian ruins(Day trip)
Getting there
- Nearest airports:
- SEB