2-Day Ksar Ghilane Tour from Djerba: Night in Bedouin Tent

Two days crossing southern Tunisia's Berber villages and desert oasis to sleep under stars

A 2-day tour from Djerba that moves through the Berber troglodyte villages of Chenini and Guermessa, crosses the stony desert to the Ksar Ghilane oasis, then continues to Matmata and Toujane on the return. You spend the first night in a Bedouin tent at Zmela camp on the edge of the Grand Oriental Erg, with dinner and breakfast included. A guide in English, Italian or French leads the route, and hotel pickup is included. Children from age 3 are welcome.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Tataouine to Ksar Ghilane Oasis

• Visit Roman Causeway of Djerba
• Explore Tataouine and try gazelle horns
• Discover Berber village of Chenini
• Photo break in Guermessa
• Cross stony desert to Ksar Ghilane oasis
• Optional camel or quad bike ride to Roman fort ruins
• Swim in oasis hot spring
• 4x4 drive to Zmela camp
• Watch sunset over sand dunes
• Dinner and overnight in Bedouin tents

Day 2: Matmata and Toujane Villages

• Depart for Berber village of Tamazret
• Admire landscapes shaped by water erosion
• Explore Matmata troglodyte house
• Enjoy traditional lunch in Matmata
• Photo break near Toujane village
• Return from Toujane

The experience

The route starts at the Roman Causeway connecting the mainland to Djerba, then moves inland to Tataouine, where you stop to taste gazelle horns, the region's signature pastry. From there, the day climbs into the mountains to Chenini, a Berber-speaking troglodyte village carved into the rock face, where you explore the homes and learn how residents have lived there for centuries. A photo break in Guermessa lets you capture the mountain landscape before the terrain shifts: you cross the stony desert toward Ksar Ghilane, an oasis fed by hot springs. On arrival, you can choose a camel ride or quad bike to the ruins of the Roman fort (optional, paid separately), then swim in the warm spring water.

The afternoon ends at Zmela camp, where you watch the sunset over the sand dunes of the Eastern Erg from a 4x4, then have dinner served in Bedouin tents and spend the night there. The second day takes you north to Tamazret, a small Berber village where water erosion has carved dramatic landscapes into the hillsides. You continue to Matmata, the troglodyte village with a lunar landscape that was used as a filming location for Star Wars. Here you enter a traditional Berber house to see how families live underground and have a traditional lunch. On the return to Djerba, you stop near Toujane for a panoramic view and final photos before heading back.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup from Djerba.
• a live guide in English, Italian or French.
• dinner on the first night and breakfast on the second morning at the Bedouin camp.
• a traditional lunch in Matmata.
• all transport by 4x4 vehicle across both days.
• overnight accommodation in a Bedouin tent at Zmela camp.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:00

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Under 3: can't be included in the booking

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, French and Italian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 5 pickup points.

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

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcome

Operated by Israa Travel Agency

Is this one for you?This is a shared tour with a fixed itinerary and schedule, so it suits travelers who want the route planned and guided rather than self-directed, and who are comfortable sleeping in a tent in the desert. The overnight in the Bedouin camp is what makes this 2-day version different from single-day excursions to the same region. It lets you stay for the sunset and spend a full night in the Eastern Erg rather than return to Djerba the same day.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, French and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years). Under 3: they can't be included in the booking.

What is the Ksar Ghilane oasis like when we arrive?

Ksar Ghilane is an oasis fed by natural hot springs in the middle of the stony desert. You can swim in the warm water, and the site also has the ruins of a Roman fort nearby that you can reach by camel or quad bike if you choose to pay for that option.

Do we sleep in the desert both nights or just one?

You sleep one night in a Bedouin tent at Zmela camp on the edge of the Grand Oriental Erg desert. The second night is not part of this tour. You return to Djerba on day two.

What meals are included across the two days?

Dinner on the first night at the Bedouin camp and breakfast the next morning are included. On day two, a traditional lunch is served in Matmata. Drinks are not included.

Are the Berber villages we visit actually lived in, or are they tourist sites?

Chenini and Matmata are real Berber villages where families still live in troglodyte homes carved into the rock. You explore these homes and see the traditional way of life. Matmata is also known as the village with a lunar landscape that was used in Star Wars filming.

Is hotel pickup included, and do we need our own transport?

Hotel pickup from your accommodation in Djerba is included. The entire route is covered by the tour's vehicles, so you do not need your own transport.