Rahalista: Libyan Travel Vlogger, Benghazi to the World, 50+ Countries
Who is Rahalista? Libyan travel vlogger Mohamed Elselini filming Libya and world cultures with 2.3M subscribers. Videos, facts verified Sep 2026.
Key takeaways
- Rahalista (@Rahalista) is Libyan travel vlogger Mohamed Elselini (Latin spelling varies) from Benghazi — about 2.28M subscribers in September 2026.
- Joined October 2017; ~301–304 videos and ~240–245M views; 50+ countries; rare Libya-inside series plus world culture docs.
- Start with the Tripoli unseen-side film, the Libya must-visit list and the Benghazi hometown episode.
- Arabic narration with bilingual taglines; 2022 Caribbean passport 'Freedom' phase unlocked the world; Best Tourism YouTube Channel award 2026.
Quick facts
| Information | Detail |
|---|---|
| Creator | Mohamed Elselini (Rahalista / رحاليستا) |
| YouTube channel | Rahalista — @Rahalista |
| Country / origin | Libyan (Benghazi; trackers show Turkey as channel country) |
| Language | Arabic narration, bilingual Arabic/English taglines |
| Content type | Culture/tribe/food documentary vlogs, offbeat and history |
| Subscribers | ~2.28M, ~301–304 videos, ~240–245M views (Sep 2026) — figures change daily |
| Main destinations | Tripoli, Benghazi, Misurata; Venezuela, North Korea, Medina, Ceuta, Thailand |
| Channel start | Joined YouTube Oct 23, 2017 per RSS + API mirrors |
| Official site | None listed on the channel |
Who is Rahalista?
Rahalista — رحاليستا — is the channel of Mohamed Elselini, a Libyan solo travel vlogger from Benghazi (Latin spelling unsettled across outlets: Elselini, Alselini, Al-Salini; this article uses Elselini with the Arabic original). He started in late 2017 with a Thailand trip, limited like all Libyan passport holders to easy-visa, Global South destinations — and made the constraint the concept: cultures and traditions for Arab and Libyan viewers, on a modest budget.
The 2022 Caribbean passport changed everything — his “Freedom” phase, first trip Belgium, then the world opened: 50+ countries, Libya’s representative at Doha creator awards (2024), Best Tourism YouTube Channel at the Arab Tourism Media Awards (announced August 2026).
His YouTube journey
1. Passport-limited start (2017–2021). Joined 23 October 2017; first video October 2017 (Thailand). Global-South arc plus the rare 2021–2022 inside-Libya series — Tripoli, Benghazi, Misurata — that remains his signature.
2. Freedom phase (2022–2024). Caribbean passport, Belgium first, professionalized output, wider continents; Doha awards representation.
3. World culture docs (2025–2026). Venezuela Petare barrio contrast (1.73M), North Korea entry (July 2026), Ramadan Medina (1.82M — top recent), Ceuta crossing (1.79M). September 2026: ~2.28M subscribers, ~245M views.
What kind of travel content does Rahalista make?
Based on actually published videos, not slogans:
- Inside Libya. Tripoli unseen side, Benghazi hometown secrets, Misurata horses and Romans — among the few Arab travel series filmed in Libya.
- Barrio contrasts. Rich vs poor Venezuela; Dominican Barrio 42.
- Closed countries. North Korea entry film (2026), eclipse Spain Short.
- History explainers. Vienna–Hitler episode; Siwa and Marsa Matruh tribes; Essaouira and Agadir.
- Budget contrasts. Maldives cheap vs expensive; $3 Terracotta; Canton Fair business ideas.
What he does not publish: no silent walks, no luxury content, no compilations. His value is the Libyan passport perspective — cultures filmed by someone who needed a second passport to reach them.
Countries and destinations covered by Rahalista
Representative destinations with context. For exact video dates, check the official channel.
Libya (2021–2022 series)
- Tripoli. Unseen-side film (April 2021, 1.22M).
- Benghazi. Hometown secrets (May 2021).
- Misurata. Horses, Romans, Libyan people (November 2022).
World
- Venezuela (Petare), North Korea, Saudi (Medina), Morocco–Spain (Ceuta), Thailand, Brunei, Dominican Republic, China, Austria.
Rahalista videos to discover
A selection, not a list of “best” without criteria. All links are official YouTube where available. Titles mix English and Arabic as published.
1. Tripoli, Libya the media never shows
- Destination: Tripoli, Libya
- Published: April 2021 (~1.22M views)
- Subject: The unseen side of the capital
- Why watch: The signature Libya-niche film
- Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGIpww8RNlo
2. Libya: 3 places you must visit
- Destination: Libya
- Published: June 2021
- Subject: Must-visit listicle
- Why watch: The country pitch in one video
- Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LcFGkm_-do
3. Benghazi: the famous city full of secrets
- Destination: Benghazi, Libya
- Published: May 2021
- Subject: Hometown episode
- Why watch: The personal core of the Libya series
- Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GD5QMNo2Q2g
If a link is dead, search the exact title on @Rahalista.
Rahalista travel style
Observable facts vs editorial reading:
- Narration: Arabic, curious and proud; bilingual taglines for discovery.
- Rhythm and editing: Long-form ~37 min average, bi-weekly; Shorts minority.
- Camera: Single-host POV; cinematic grade.
- Interactions: Market keepers, tribespeople, barrio residents.
- Culture: Customs and traditions as the destination.
- Food: Markets and street food throughout.
- Transport and stay: Budget roots, professional present.
- Storytelling: One culture, one contrast, one history lesson.
Difference from Global Silent Walks: Rahalista narrates every culture in Arabic; a Silent Walk lets you experience famous places without commentary, in real time and natural sound.
Who is the Rahalista channel for?
- Libya-interested viewers: The rarest Arabic inside-Libya footage on YouTube.
- Arab culture travelers: Traditions-first vlogging, offbeat by design.
- Passport-constrained dreamers: The Freedom-phase arc is the motivation.
- Not recommended as a planning tool: Barrios and closed countries need current realities; verify officially.
- Sensitive viewers: Poverty-contrast and closed-country content throughout.
No score or ranking — just fit.
Destinations inspired by Rahalista on Global Silent Walks
After watching Rahalista film Tripoli’s unseen side, you can walk Southeast Asia calmly on foot, no commentary, 4K natural sound:
- After his first-trip Thailand story: Bangkok Silent Walk.
- For calmer urban backdrops around the world, start from World Destinations.
Rahalista does not recommend, sponsor or use Global Silent Walks unless officially stated. These are independent editorial bridges.
Explore the destination differently
Rahalista’s videos answer “what do these cultures look like through Libyan eyes?” with Arabic pride. A Global Silent Walks Silent Walk answers “what does the place itself feel like?” with patience: raw sound, real time, no cuts, no opinions. Watch Rahalista for the culture, then use a Silent Walk to hear Bangkok plainly.
Start with World Destinations, France Guide and Paris Guide.
Official socials
Only official accounts. Counts from third-party trackers, September 2026, change daily:
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Rahalista — ~2.28M (Sep 2026)
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elselini (count unverified — do not cite)
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rahalista (count unverified — do not cite)
No X/TikTok linked from the channel. Snapchat @rahalista and TikTok @rahalista found but channel-unlinked — treat as unverified.
In pictures: Rahalista
FAQ
Who is Rahalista?
Libyan solo travel vlogger Mohamed Elselini (Arabic: محمد السليني; Latin spelling varies) from Benghazi, filming since 2017.
How many subscribers does he have?
About 2.27–2.28 million subscribers, 301–304 videos and 240–245M views per channel header, ReachRanking and FameLifter, September 2026. Check the live channel for today.
What is his most famous video?
The Tripoli unseen-side film (1.22M) is the Libya signature; recent peaks are Ramadan Medina (1.82M) and Petare (1.73M).
Why do trackers say Turkey?
Likely base/residence — nationality per press is Libyan. Report Libyan nationality, not Turkish.
What is the Freedom phase?
Post-2022 life with a Caribbean passport, ending Libyan-passport travel limits — his term for the turning point.
Where to start?
Watch the three Libya films (Tripoli, top-3, Benghazi), then Petare and North Korea for world range.
Sources
- Official YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Rahalista
- Official RSS: channel ID UC44hIHGE2aJmlnBj8WdtTww, join Oct 2017
- ReachRanking + FameLifter, September 2026: ~2.28M subs, ~245M views
- Alsabaah (Libya), November 2024: background, Freedom phase, 50+ countries
- Ennahar, July 2022: Libyan blogger profile
- ArabTourist, August 2026: Best Tourism YouTube Channel award
Data verified September 29, 2026. Subscribers and views change daily. Recent videos to check on the official channel.
Last verification: September 29, 2026.
