2-Day Sahara Desert & Berber Experience from Djerba

Underground homes, a Star Wars film set, and a night under the stars in the Sahara

A 2-day Sahara tour from Djerba that combines Berber village visits, troglodyte homes, and desert camping with a local guide in English or French. Day one takes you to Chenini's rock-carved architecture and Ksar Ghilane's hot spring oasis, ending with an overnight in a Berber tent and traditional Bedouin dinner. Day two explores Tamazret and Matmata's underground dwellings, includes lunch at the Sidi Idriss hotel (a Star Wars filming location), and returns to Djerba via the Roman road. Hotel pickup in Djerba is included. Breakfast and dinner are provided.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Explore the Berber villages of Chenini

• Hotel pickup in Djerba
• Stop at salt lake of Chahbania
• Visit Ksar Ouled Soltane granary
• Explore Chenini village and have lunch
• Swim in Ksar Ghilane hot spring
• Settle in Berber tent camp
• Prepare sand bread and dinner
• Enjoy Bedouin musical evening

Day 2: Troglodyte Villages & Star Wars Film Locations

• Breakfast at camp
• Photo stop at Tamazret village
• Visit troglodyte house and meet family
• Explore Matmata troglodyte dwellings
• Visit Sidi Idriss hotel and have lunch
• Stop at Toujane village viewpoint
• Return to Djerba via Roman road

The experience

The tour starts with hotel pickup in Djerba and heads south toward Tataouine, stopping first at the salt lake of Chahbania before reaching Ksar Ouled Soltane: a fortified granary with stacked stone chambers and the same landscape used in Star Wars filming. From there you move into Chenini, an ancient Berber village carved into rock with cave-like homes and a white mosque perched between peaks. A local lunch there fuels the drive to Ksar Ghilane, an oasis where palm trees meet sand dunes and a natural hot spring sits in the middle of the greenery. You swim in the warm water, then head to your camp to help prepare sand bread baked under embers the Bedouin way. Dinner happens under the stars, followed by a Bedouin musical evening before you sleep in your private tent.

The second day begins with breakfast before a photo stop in Tamazret, where you visit a troglodyte house, a home dug underground, and meet a Berber family inside. They offer tea with homemade bread, honey, and olive oil. Next is Matmata, famous for its sunken courtyards and cave rooms built into the earth to escape the heat. The Sidi Idriss troglodyte hotel, used for interior Star Wars scenes of Lars Homestead, is where you stop for a midday lunch. A final stop in Toujane, a mountain village of red mud-brick houses built into hillsides, offers panoramic views before the return to Djerba follows the Roman road.

A live guide fluent in English or French leads the group throughout. The minimum group size is four participants. Camel rides and ATV rides on the dunes are available as optional add-ons at extra cost. Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, a swimsuit, towel, and sneakers for walking on sand. Inform the operator of any dietary restrictions or food allergies before the tour.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup in Djerba.
• a live guide in English or French.
• overnight accommodation in a private Berber tent.
• breakfast and dinner.
• lunch on both days.
• entry to Ksar Ouled Soltane, Chenini, Ksar Ghilane, the troglodyte house in Tamazret, Matmata, and Sidi Idriss hotel.
• hot spring swim at Ksar Ghilane.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:00

GroupUp to 30

Live guideEnglish and French

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 97

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availableNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by monia travel

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want to sleep in the desert and meet Berber families in their homes: the overnight tent and the troglodyte visits are what set it apart from day trips to the same region. Camel and ATV rides on the dunes are optional add-ons, so you can customize the second day's pace.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and French.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What are the troglodyte homes in Matmata actually like inside?

Troglodyte dwellings in Matmata are underground homes dug into the earth with sunken courtyards and adjoining cave rooms, built by locals to escape extreme heat and winds. You visit one and meet the Berber family who lives there, sharing tea and homemade bread with them.

Do I swim in the hot spring, or just see it?

You swim in the natural hot spring at Ksar Ghilane oasis. The water is warm and sits in the middle of the oasis surrounded by palm trees and sand dunes.

What exactly is the Sidi Idriss hotel, and why does it matter?

Sidi Idriss is a troglodyte hotel built into underground chambers, famous as a Star Wars filming location where the interior scenes of Lars Homestead were shot. You visit it on day two and have lunch there.

Is the overnight tent camping, or something else?

You sleep in a private Berber tent at a desert camp. The evening includes a traditional Bedouin dinner under the stars and a Bedouin musical performance before you settle in for the night.

What's included in the meals, and are there options for dietary needs?

Breakfast and dinner are included. On day one, you have a local lunch in Chenini and dinner at the camp. On day two, lunch is at the Sidi Idriss hotel. Inform the operator of any dietary restrictions or food allergies before booking so they can accommodate you.