Omar Mukhtar - The Lion of the Desert
“We win or we Die” – Omar Mukhtar 1931
Day 1
Midday flight from the UK to Tripoli, followed by our flight to Benghazi. Greeted
and escorted to our hotel for one night. (D)
Day 2
Transfer to our hotel by the sea at Sousa. Rest of the day at leisure. Day includes a
tour of the ancient city of Apollonia. (B L D)
Day 3
Morning visit to the Cars battlefield above Sousa, then onto the village named Omar
Muktar and the site where the “Lion” was captured in 1931. Returning to Sousa we
visit the Italian built Town Hall where he was held prisoner until sent to Benghazi.
(B L D)
Tour Dates:
1st - 7th September
Tour Price:
TBC
Single Supplement:
TBC
Deposit per person:
TBC
Group Price:
On Request
Bespoke Price:
On Request
Price includes all flights, all 4/5 Star hotels, all meals and all entrance fees, and
Battlefield Guide
Follow
in
the
footsteps
of
Omar
Al
Mukhtar,
a
teacher
by
profession,
resistance
fighter
by obligation. Inspirational leader of the Libyan resistance 1911 – 1931.
Following
the
1911
Italian
invasion
of
Libya
Omar
Al
Mukhtar
led
resistance
groups
of
Arabs,
Berbers
and
Sanussi
in
a
twenty
year
struggle
for
freedom,
despite
the
most
inhuman measures undertaken by the Italians.
Despite
using
aircraft
and
tanks
in
the
desert
for
the
first
time,
and
thousands
troops,
the
Italians
were
continually
embarrassed
by
these
“mere
Bedouins”
who
fought
with
fanatical
bravery,
so
much
so,
that
they
would
bind
one
of
their
legs
so
that they could not run away.
A
master
strategist
in
desert
warfare
Muhktar
would
attack
Italian
troops
where-
ever
he
could
find
them
and
then
disappear
back
into
the
desert.
Mussolini
then
sent
General
“Butcher”
Graziani
to
Libya
for
a
final
and
bloody
confrontation
with
Omar
Al
Muhktar
and
the
Libyan
resistance.
Eventually
in
1931
Sidi
Omar
as
he
was
known
to
his
followers
was
captured
in
battle,
tried,
and
executed
in
front
of
his
own
people at Solluch.
The
Italians
had
hoped
that
the
resistance
would
die
with
Muhktar,
but
Omar
Al
Mukhtar
lived
on
in
the
hearts
of
his
people,
and
remains
a
true
symbol
of
defiance
to
oppression to this day.
This
little
known
Libyan
folk
hero
and
martyr,
never
forgotten
in
Libya,
was
brought to the world in the 1981 film “Lion of the Desert”.
Join
us
as
we
visit
the
places
and
battlefields
associated
with
Omar
Al
Muhktar
-
Solluch,
Benghazi,
Tripoli,
Wadi
el
Kuf,
Al
Bayda,
The
Green
Mountains,
Derna
and
more.
Mohamed
the
only
son
of
Omar
Al
Muhktar
will
be
joining
us
for
a
short
time
on this tour.
Day 4
Drive to Benghazi through the Green Mountains to Cyrene and the Wadi Kuf, site of
Omar Muktars greatest battle with the Italians. Transfer to our hotel in Benghazi.
During the day we will meet Mohamed Omar el Mukhtar. (B L D)
Day 5
Drive to Solluch site of the enormous Italian concentration camp and where Omar
Mukhtar was executed and is now buried. (B L D)
Day 6
Morning flight to Tripoli. Rest of the day at leisure. (B L D)
Day 7
Tour of Tripoli, including the Red Castle which houses artefacts belonging to Omar
Mukhtar including the gallows on which he was hanged. (B L D)
Day 8
Return flight to the UK or other destination. (B)