2-day desert tour from Djerba: Ksar Ghilane oasis overnight

Sleep under stars at a Saharan oasis, then cross the cave villages of Matmata

A 2-day tour from Djerba that crosses the Roman Causeway and the Matmata mountains to reach Ksar Ghilane, a palm-lined oasis in the deep Sahara. You stay overnight in a private tent at a desert camp with beds and electricity, swim in the natural hot spring, eat traditional Tunisian dinner by firelight, and return the next day through the troglodyte villages of Tamezret and Chenini. Private transfer from your accommodation is included. A guide speaks English or French throughout.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: From Djerba to the heart of the desert

• Private transfer from Djerba or Zarzis
• Cross the Roman Causeway
• Admire Salt Lake Zarzis reflections
• Visit the cave village of Chenini
• Arrive at Ksar Ghilane oasis
• Install in Saharan camp tents
• Swim in natural hot spring
• Optional camel or quad bike ride
• Enjoy traditional dinner by fire

Day 2: From the desert to Matmata moonscapes

• Breakfast at the camp
• Explore cave houses of Matmata
• Visit Berber village of Tamezret
• Lunch before departure

The experience

You leave Djerba by private transfer and drive south across the Roman Causeway, a 7 km ancient road connecting the island to the mainland, where flamingos gather in winter. The route then climbs into the Matmata mountains, passing through Chenini, a Berber village carved into the rock with houses built into the hillside and a white mosque overlooking the settlement. By afternoon you arrive at Ksar Ghilane, an oasis ringed by golden dunes and palm trees, where the camp sits close to a natural hot spring fed by underground aquifers.

The overnight stay puts you in a private tent with a bed and electricity. Sanitary facilities are shared or private depending on the option you choose at checkout. Dinner is traditional Tunisian food cooked and served around a fire under the open sky. In the morning, after breakfast, you have time to swim in the hot spring before the return journey begins. The route back passes through Tamezret, another Berber village known for its earthen houses and winding streets, and through the underground dwellings of Matmata, where families have lived in cave houses carved into the rock for centuries to escape the desert heat.

Optional activities (a camel ride or quad bike excursion to the Roman fort of Tisavar) can be arranged at the camp but are not included in the tour price. The guide stays with the group throughout both days and speaks English or French. Children from age 2 are welcome. Moderate fitness is needed for the long drive and the uneven terrain of the villages.

What’s included

• Private transfer from your Djerba accommodation.
• overnight stay in a private tent with bed and electricity at Ksar Ghilane desert camp.
• traditional Tunisian dinner and breakfast.
• access to the natural hot spring.
• guide in English or French throughout both days.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:30

AgesAdult (17 to 64 years) · Senior (65 and older) · Child (2 to 16 years)

GroupUp to 50

Live guideEnglish and French

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 13 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 14 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Walymel Travel– Aventures en Tunisie

Is this one for you?Pick this if you speak English or French and want a continuous 2-day journey that covers the Roman Causeway, mountain villages, and desert oasis in one itinerary rather than piecing together separate excursions.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 16 years).

What is the Roman Causeway and why does the tour cross it?

The Roman Causeway is a 7 km ancient road built in Roman times that connects Djerba island to the Tunisian mainland. The tour crosses it on the first day as part of the drive south. It offers views of coastal landscapes and, in winter, flamingos gathered in the shallow water on either side.

Can I swim in the hot spring at Ksar Ghilane?

Yes, the natural hot spring at the oasis is included in the tour, and you have free time to swim in it during the overnight stay. The spring is fed by underground aquifers and sits close to the desert camp.

What are the cave houses of Matmata like?

The cave houses of Matmata are traditional Berber dwellings carved into the rock, built underground to stay cool in the desert heat. On the second day, the tour passes through the village so you can explore these ancestral homes and see how families adapted to the harsh climate. The settlement also inspired some of the Star Wars film locations.

Is the camel or quad bike ride to the Roman fort included?

No, the camel ride or quad bike excursion to the Roman fort of Tisavar is optional and arranged separately at the camp. It is not part of the tour price. You can book it if you want to add it to your stay.

What meals are provided on the 2-day tour?

Dinner on the first night and breakfast on the second morning are included. Dinner is a traditional Tunisian meal served around the fire at the camp. Other meals and drinks are not included in the tour price.

Do I need to be very fit to do this tour?

Moderate physical fitness is recommended. The tour involves a long drive on the first day and walking through uneven terrain in the villages of Matmata, Tamezret and Chenini. It is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health, or pregnant travelers.