GRAND-SAHARA-AVENTURES
PRIVATE DAY TRIPS • DESERT TREKS • TOURS IN TUNISIA
SOUTHERN TUNISIA TOUR OR DESERT TOUR:
WHICH SHOULD YOU CHOOSE?
A Southern Tunisia tour focuses on oases, Berber villages and cultural sights, with a stop in the Sahara depending on the itinerary.
A Tunisia desert tour focuses on desert tracks, dunes and nights in the Sahara, particularly around Tembaine and the Grand Erg Oriental.
100% private tours · Departures from Djerba, Zarzis or Gabès, depending on the itinerary · ONTT-licensed guide
Both types of trip can last three or four days and use a private 4x4. The best place to start is with the experience you want, then the time you have available.
This guide explains the differences and helps you choose your route.
GUIDE CONTENTS
SOUTHERN TUNISIA TOUR OR DESERT TOUR: WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?
The Tunisian Sahara is part of Southern Tunisia. The difference is how the trip is planned and how much of it is spent in the desert.
In this guide, we distinguish between sightseeing tours across the south and tours built around a journey into the Sahara.
A SOUTHERN TUNISIA TOUR: EXPLORE SEVERAL REGIONS
Tozeur: oases, palm groves and desert architecture
A tour of Southern Tunisia combines different landscapes and places to visit.
Depending on the route, these may include Tozeur and the mountain oases, Chott El Jerid, Matmata, the Dahar mountains, Chenini and the fortified granaries known as ksour around Tataouine.
It may also include Douz, Ksar Ghilane and a night in a Sahara camp.
The aim is to discover several sides of the south: Berber heritage, traditional cave homes, oases and a first taste of the dunes. The desert is one part of a wider journey.
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Main focus : Southern Tunisian tour.
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Priority : A varied trip combining culture, villages, oases and landscapes.
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Places on our routes : Tozeur, mountain oases, Matmata, Dahar, Chenini and the ksour.
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Role of the desert : One part of a broader itinerary.
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Travel: Journeys between towns, villages and sights.
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Accommodation : Hotels or local guesthouses, combined with a desert camp.
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Best suited to : Travellers who want to see a variety of places.
A TUNISIA DESERT TOUR: SPEND MORE TIME IN THE SAHARA
The desert tours featured here reach Tembaine and the Grand Erg Oriental.
Travel along desert tracks, journeys through the dunes and nights in the Sahara shape the itinerary. The four-day tour goes further, to the lake at Houidath Erreched.
Cultural visits can still be part of the trip, particularly on the three-day route through Tataouine and Matmata.
The main focus remains the journey into the desert and the time spent there.
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Main focus : Tunisia desert tour
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Priority : Time in the Sahara, with desert tracks, dunes and overnight stays.
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Places on our routes : Ksar Ghilane, Tembaine, Grand Erg Oriental and, on the four-day tour, Houidath Erreched.
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Role of the desert : The central focus of the trip.
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Travel: Longer stretches on desert tracks and routes through dune areas.
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Accommodation : Sahara camps and, depending on the route, a bivouac.
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Best suited to : Travellers who want more time among the dunes.
Ksar Ghilane is a desert experience in its own right.
A night at this oasis lets you enjoy the dunes and an evening in the Sahara. It is a different experience from travelling further into the desert towards Tembaine.
A 4x4 vehicle or a three- or four-day duration can feature in either type of trip, so these alone do not tell you what the journey will be like.
SOUTHERN TUNISIA TOURS: OASES, KSOUR AND BERBER VILLAGES
These three sightseeing tours focus on cultural visits and a variety of landscapes.
All include a desert stop, but none travels to Tembaine or Houidath Erreched.
Sightseeing tour : Tozeur, Douz and Ksar Ghilane.
Duration: 3 days
Main focus : Mountain oases, a salt lake and a Sahara stop.
Price starting from*: €320
Sightseeing tour : Berber villages, Dahar and desert.
Duration: 3 days
Main focus : Villages, heritage and a guided walk.
Price starting from*: €340
Sightseeing tour : Southern Tunisia Grand Loop
Duration: 4 days
Main focus: A varied journey through oases, villages and Sahara landscapes.
Price starting from*: €440
Indicative prices as, per person based on five people travelling together on a private tour.
The price for your party depends on its size; see each itinerary for details.
3-DAY SOUTHERN TUNISIA TOUR: TOZEUR, DOUZ AND KSAR GHILANE
This route takes in Chebika, Tamerza, Midès, Ong Jmel, Chott El Jerid, Douz and Ksar Ghilane, followed by Matmata and Tamezret.
It offers a wide range of landscapes, from oases and canyons to the salt lake and dunes.
Where you stay: one night in a four-star hotel in Tozeur and one night in a private tent at a Sahara camp.
Before you choose: expect long days on the road.
The route does not include Chenini, Douiret or the main ksour around Tataouine, so it can be a good option if you have already visited that area.
Chott El Jerid: a salt lake, mirages and an infinite horizon
3-DAY BERBER TOUR: KSOUR, DAHAR AND DESERT
This itinerary includes Tataouine, Ksar Ouled Soltane, Ksar Beni Barka, Chenini, a walk to Douiret, then Ksar Ghilane, Matmata and Toujane.
It gives more time to Berber villages, local traditions and distinctive places to stay.
Where you stay: one night in a cave guesthouse in Douiret and one night at a Sahara camp.
Before you choose: the walk between Chenini and Douiret needs to suit everyone in your party. This tour does not visit Tozeur, Chott El Jerid or the mountain oases.
The Dahar: Berber villages, mountains and ksour
4-DAY SOUTHERN TUNISIA TOUR: THE GRAND LOOP
The Grand Loop combines Matmata, Douz, Chott El Jerid, Tozeur, the mountain oases of Chebika, Tamerza and Midès, Ong Jmel, Mos Espa, Ksar Ghilane, Chenini and the ksour around Tataouine.
It is a good choice for a first visit if you want to explore several parts of Southern Tunisia in one trip.
Where you stay: two nights in Tozeur and one night in a private tent in the desert.
Before you choose: the extra day allows the visits to be spread out more evenly, but you will still spend several hours travelling.
This tour suits people who enjoy moving between different places.
Chebika, Tamerza and Midès: the mountain oases
TUNISIA DESERT TOURS: TEMBAINE AND THE GRAND ERG ORIENTAL
These two private 4x4 tours are built around travelling into the Sahara.
Your choice depends on the time you have, how much sightseeing you want to include and how many nights you would like to spend in the desert.
Desert tour : Ksar Ghilane and Tembaine
Duration: 3 days.
Saharan route: Ksar Ghilane, Jbil National Park and Tembaine, returning via Douz
Overnight stays: Two nights at desert camps.
Price starting from* : €440 per person.
Deserted tour: Tembaine and Houidath Erreched.
Duration: 4 days.
Saharan route: Douz, Tembaine, the Grand Erg Oriental dunes and Houidath Erreched lake.
Overnight stays: Two nights at camps and one bivouac night
Price starting from* : €585 per person.
Indicative prices for private tours, per person based on 4 travelers.
The applicable price depends on the size of your group; please refer to each program.
3-DAY TUNISIA DESERT TOUR: KSAR GHILANE AND TEMBAINE
This route combines visits around Tataouine and Chenini with Ksar Ghilane, before continuing towards Jbil National Park and Tembaine in the Grand Erg Oriental.
The return journey takes you through Douz, Tamezret, Matmata and Toujane.
The journey to Tembaine and the night in the Grand Erg Oriental are the heart of the trip, with cultural visits on the way out and back.
Where you stay: one night at Zmela camp near Ksar Ghilane and one night in a private tent at a camp near Tembaine.
Before you choose: reaching Tembaine within three days means a busy itinerary and long stretches on desert tracks.
This tour suits travellers who are comfortable with full days in a 4x4.
The dunes of the Grand Erg Oriental in Tunisia
4-DAY TUNISIA DESERT TOUR: TEMBAINE AND HOUIDATH ERRECHED
From Douz, this tour heads towards Tembaine, crosses the dunes of the Grand Erg Oriental and reaches the lake at Houidath Erreched.
All three nights are spent in the Sahara. After the transfer to Douz, most of your time is devoted to the desert journey, evenings at camp and time among the dunes.
Where you stay: two nights at Sahara camps and one night at a bivouac, a temporary camp set up in the desert.
Before you choose: this tour is generally offered from October to May.
You need to be comfortable with simpler facilities, long stretches on desert tracks and possible changes to the route as conditions require.
Endless dunes of the Sahara
HOW MANY DAYS DO YOU NEED?
Two trips of the same length can offer very different experiences.
A three-day Tozeur and Ksar Ghilane sightseeing tour and a three-day desert tour to Tembaine are designed for different travel priorities.
To explore Southern Tunisia:
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2 days: Focus on one area, such as the Dahar, Tozeur or Ksar Ghilane
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3 days : Choose between the Tozeur oases and the Berber heritage of the Dahar
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4 days: The Grand Loop combines Tozeur, the mountain oases and Berber villages
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One week: Combine a tour with time to relax in Djerba
For a desert experience:
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2 days: A night at Ksar Ghilane offers a first taste of the Sahara; it is a different trip from the Tembaine routes featured here
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3 days: Reach Tembaine via Ksar Ghilane, with two camp nights and a busy itinerary
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4 days: The Tembaine and Houidath Erreched tour includes three nights in the Sahara
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One week: Ask about a longer Sahara journey or a trek, depending on the pace and comfort you want
If you are comparing the sightseeing routes, the four-day Grand Loop adds a second night in Tozeur, Chenini and the ksour to the three-day Tozeur and Ksar Ghilane itinerary.
The extra day spreads out the visits, although several hours of travel are still part of the experience.
Ksar Ghilane: oasis, dunes and hot spring
WHICH TOUR WORKS BEST WITH CHILDREN OR SPECIFIC NEEDS?
With young children, choose a sightseeing itinerary with room to adjust the breaks.
A two-day Ksar Ghilane tour can be easier to fit into a holiday in Djerba.
For a longer journey, compare the time spent travelling each day and the number of accommodation changes. Child seats can be provided on request.
If you need to limit fatigue, tell us before booking about any walking difficulties, discomfort on rough tracks, bathroom requirements or need for frequent stops.
A route focused on one area may suit you better than a longer loop.
The Chenini–Douiret walk and the desert journeys towards Tembaine need particular consideration when planning around these needs.
WHERE SHOULD YOU START YOUR TOUR?
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Djerba: tthe most versatile starting point for the tours featured here. Pick-up can be arranged from your hotel, accommodation or the airport, depending on the itinerary.
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Zarzis: a convenient option for routes towards Tataouine, the Dahar and Ksar Ghilane, with pick-up times adjusted accordingly.
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Gabès: a practical starting point for Matmata, Douz and routes towards Tozeur. Pick-up arrangements should be confirmed in your quote.
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Tozeur: well placed for the mountain oases, Ong Jmel, Mos Espa and Chott El Jerid. Ask for an itinerary adapted to your departure point: most of the sightseeing routes featured here are planned from Djerba and need adjustments when starting elsewhere. Some desert tours also offer departures from Tozeur.
Request a suitable itinerary: the tours in this selection are mainly designed from Djerba and not all tours are identical.
WHEN TO GO, WHERE TO STAY AND WHAT TO PACK
CHOOSING THE TIME OF YEAR
October to May is generally the most comfortable period for sightseeing and desert travel.
For sightseeing routes, September or June may also be possible with adjusted schedules.
Trips into the deeper Sahara follow their own operating season: the three-day Tembaine tour is offered from 15 September to 15 May, while the four-day desert tour is generally available from October to May.
Confirm availability for your exact dates.
July and August are not recommended for these touring itineraries or journeys into the deep desert because of the intense heat.
In winter, Sahara nights can be cold even after a mild day. Consider the season as well as the type of accommodation when planning your trip.
UNDERSTANDING THE ACCOMMODATION
Depending on the itinerary, you may stay in a hotel, a cave guesthouse, a traditional property, an established desert camp or a bivouac.
Before choosing, tell us what you expect from the beds, bathroom facilities and access to the camp.
A private tent does not necessarily include a private bathroom. A bivouac is a temporary camp in the desert and offers a simpler experience than an established camp.
WHAT TO PACK
Bring closed shoes, a sun hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, a scarf, a reusable water bottle, a power bank and a head torch. In autumn and winter, add warm layers and a windproof jacket for the evenings and nights.
WHY CHOOSE A PRIVATE TOUR?
Your vehicle, driver and guide are dedicated to your party.
On a journey with long distances between stops, this allows direct pick-up and breaks planned around the people travelling.
You can discuss your interests, your children's needs and your accommodation preferences while we prepare the itinerary.
Photo stops and some adjustments can be arranged, taking account of the terrain, distances and accommodation bookings.
The price per person generally falls as the number of travellers increases, because the cost of the vehicle and team is shared within your party.
PRACTICAL QUESTIONS BEFORE BOOKING
SHOULD YOU BOOK BEFORE ARRIVING IN TUNISIA?
Booking ahead is recommended, particularly from October to May and during school holidays.
A tour requires the vehicle, guide and several places to stay to be coordinated in advance.
DO YOU HAVE TO GO QUAD BIKING OR TAKE A CAMEL RIDE?
No. These activities are optional and are paid for locally where available.
You can enjoy the oasis, dunes and camp without taking part.
NEED HELP CHOOSING YOUR TOUR?
Send us your travel dates, the number of adults and children, the children's ages, your departure point and the number of days available.
Tell us whether you are most interested in oases and villages, desert journey towards Tembaine and the Grand Erg Oriental.
Let us know the level of comfort you would like, and we will suggest a suitable itinerary.
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CONCLUSION
A tour in southern Tunisia or the desert is a journey through several Tunisias: the Berber Tunisia of the villages of the Dahar, the Saharan Tunisia of Douz and Ksar Ghilane, the Tunisia of the oases of Tozeur, the troglodyte Tunisia of Matmata and the mythical Tunisia of the great landscapes of the Sahara.
The most important thing is to choose an itinerary that suits your time, your pace and your real desire: culture, desert, oasis, Berber villages or Saharan adventure.