Tunisia is great destination for a Mediterranean escape, but it is also the land of desert oases. The south of Tunisia comprises a part of the Sahara desert, with Tozeur as the main outpost in the southwest. If you’re seeking adventure, look no further than the Tunisian Sahara: you will find charming desert villages, sand dunes, canyons, and lush desert oases.
In this guide, I’ve put together some of my travel tips to inspire you to visit this off-the-radar destination!
HOW TO GET TO THE SAHARA IN TUNISIA
Tozeur has an international airport servicing flights from Paris, Lyon and Tunis. I started my trip in Djerba, an island on the southern coast in Tunisia, so I decided to hire a private driver & guide to take me across Tunisia to Tozeur. The trip from Djerba takes around 5+ hours, but I planned stops to sightsee along the route. This was the most efficient for me because many of the spots I wanted to see in the Sahara were along the way!
I booked a 3-day tour with Gran Sahara Aventures and they accommodated all of the itinerary I wanted to see. Group tours to Tozeur are also available if you don’t want to opt for a private guide and driver. If you decide to fly direct to Tozeur, you can book your tour Tozeur as your home-base and avoid the long road trip.
TUNISIA ITINERARY
I did a lot of research to plan a perfect itinerary and hit all of the spots on my list, so let me make it easier for you! I spent an amazing week in Tunisia, traveling from the island of Djerba to the Tozeur oases with many stops along the journey. If you choose to start your trip the same way, check out my itinerary below:
Days 1-3: Explore Djerba. Check out my Ultimate Guide to Djerba for my travel tips + places to see.
Day 4: Start the journey to Tozeur at sunrise. Stop at to see the ghorfas at Medenine, Saharan sand dunes at Zaafrane and have lunch inside an oasis. Arrive at Tozeur in the afternoon and walk around the Medina before dinnertime.
Day 5: Set out to explore the Chebika Oasis, Mides Canyon, Tamerza Canyon Waterfall, and the abandoned village of Tamerza. Spend the evening at the pool and relax!
Day 6: Adventure to the abandoned Star Wars set at Mos Espa in the morning. Climb the surrounding sand dunes, then check out Ong Jml and the Nefta Oasis on the way back. Spend the afternoon exploring the Tozeur Oasis and relaxing by the pool.
Day 7: Journey back to Djerba. Stop to check out the underground homes at Matmata.
Day 8: Departure from Djerba.
WHAT TO DO IN TUNISIA
WANDER THE GHORFAS AT MEDENINE
On your way to the desert, stop by the ghorfas at Medenine. The ghorfas are ancient Berber structures made from clay and vaulted ceilings that were once used for storage. Today, they still serve the same purpose and many of them are a popular tourist attraction like those at Medenine, which were featured in the Star Wars Episode I. Some of the ghorfas even have local Tunisian goods that you can purchase from the vendors.
WALK ATOP THE SAHARAN SAND DUNES AT ZAAFRANE
What do you think of when you imagine the Sahara? I bet that your mind immediately thought of sand dunes! Zaafrane is a great stop on your journey to Tozeur to walk atop the massive white sand dunes. The dunes are unique with palm trees sprinkled among the stretches of sand!
DINE IN AN OASIS
After your morning desert trek, dine in a desert Oasis. After exploring the sand dunes at Zaafrane, head to Restaurant ElBey for an authentic Tunisian meal in an idyllic setting. P.S. this spot is extra photo-worthy!
GET LOST IN THE TOZEUR MEDINA
Once you have finally made it to the end of your road trip in Tozeur, refresh at your accommodation and talk a leisurely stroll around the historic medina in the town center. Tozeur looks like it is straight from a movie set, with high stone walls and picturesque corners. The medina has lots of charm and it’s definitely worth spending some time exploring the winding alleyways and perusing the local shops for authentic Tunisian goods. Grab a pick-me-up at Cafe Berber with mint tea on a rooftop with a view over the medina.
HIKE THE CHEBIKA OASIS FOR THE BEST VIEWS
The Chebika Oasis is one of the most famous and most beautiful oases in Tunisia. You can wander around the oasis from below and visit the waterfall and palm groves or you can hike to the top to see epic views of the oasis stretching into the vast Sahara desert in the distance. To enter the oasis, you will need to hire a guide who will walk you around the site. This can also be arranged with your tour driver.
EXPLORE MIDÈS CANYON
If you’re a Star Wars fan, you might recognize this canyon from Star Wars Episode I. This canyon was used for the famous pod racer scene. Even if you’re not a fan, it was such an amazing experience to hike down into the canyon and explore the gorgeous rock formations that were once created by flowing water.
COOL OFF IN A DESERT WATERFALL
I know what you’re thinking… how can there be waterfalls in the middle of the Sahara desert?! Well, in Tunisia there is! The run off from the Tamerza Oasis creates several small waterfalls for the perfect way to cool off from the desert sun.
VISIT THE ABANDONED VILLAGE OF TAMERZA
While on your desert journey, make a stop in Tamerza for local lunch at Restaurant Chedli and take a short drive with your guide to look at the scenic views of the abandoned village of Tamerza. Can you believe that this desert village was once destroyed by a flood?!
SPEND THE EVENING POOLSIDE
Once you’re back in Tozeur, take a much needed dip in the pool and relax after a long day of adventure. Check out my recommendations for accommodation below for my favorite pool in Tozeur!
PLAY PRINCESS LEIA AT AN ABANDONED STAR WARS SET
Mos Espa is the location of the abandoned Star Wars Episode I set that was used as a settlement for the fictional Tatooine planet. After production of the movie finished, the set was left amidst the Saharan sand dunes and is open to the public to explore. It was such a surreal moment to explore here! The buildings look real from afar, but when you get closer you realize that they truly are a set – they are shell facades made of man-made materials in the middle of the Tunisian desert. After exploring the set, hike the sand dunes and ride over to Ong Jml to check out the famous “camel’s neck” rock formation.
VISIT THE NEFTA OASIS
The Nefta oasis is far less visited than its neighbor Tozeur, but it is definitely worth a stop. You can view the oasis from above at a designated viewpoint or you can take a guided tour through the oasis. Nefta is a unique town because it is one of the world’s major areas for the mystical dimension of Islam known as Sufism. This sect of Islam includes a belief in spirits, fortune telling and amulets.
TAKE A CARRIAGE RIDE IN THE TOZEUR OASIS
A carriage ride through the Tozeur oasis is an absolute must. Tozeur is one the the largest and most well-known desert oases in Tunisia. The oasis itself is privately owned and divided between the residents of the city. Cultivating produce, specifically dates is their main source of revenue. To enter the oasis, you must pay for a carriage ride with a local guide as this is the only authorized entry to the private property. Ask your accommodation for a local guide and get ready to explore the gorgeous oasis!
WHERE TO STAY
DAR TOZEUR
Dar Tozeur was the perfect place to come back to after a long day of exploring. This accommodation is beautifully designed with two pools, a wonderful restaurant and garden area right in the heart of Tozeur. The hosts were beyond helpful and I can not recommend a stay at this gorgeous location enough!
TRAVEL TIPS
Tozeur is a desert oasis and the heat is just as intense as the open desert, with highs reaching 110+ degrees Farenheit. If you’re planning a trip, it’s ideal to travel between March-June and August-November.
The local language is Arabic, although French is also common. For those that are only English-speaking, make sure to hire a guide in advance that speaks English.
The local currency is the Tunisian Dinar, so make sure to exchange money at the airport as this will be the only way to make purchases while on the desert.
WHAT TO WEAR
The heat in the Sahara can be very overwhelming, so make sure to pack loose, breathable clothing that protects your body from the sun. Tunisia is an Islamic country, so remember to dress modestly!
Are you ready to set out & explore? I can’t wait to adventure here again!
