2-Day Sahara Tour from Djerba: Matmata, Chenini & Oasis Camp

Troglodyte houses, a salt lake, and a night under the stars in the Sahara

A 2-day tour from Djerba through Southern Tunisia's quietest sites: Matmata's underground Berber dwellings and Star Wars museum, Chenini village perched on a mountain, Ksar Ghilane Oasis with hot springs, and an overnight stay in a desert camp with traditional music and bread baking. Pickup from Djerba or Zarzis; breakfast and dinner included; live guide in English, Spanish, Italian, French and two additional languages.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Djerba, Matmata, Sahara Oasis, Tent Night

• Pickup and start point
• Pause and tour Medenine village
• Visit Star Wars site and troglodyte houses
• Lunch with traditional Tunisian menu
• Explore Sahara desert oasis by quad or camel
• Enjoy traditional dance and music
• Taste sand bread made by nomad
• Dinner under the stars
• Shower and sleep in tent

Day 2: Tataouine, Chenini, Salt Lake

• Explore hidden mountain village
• Visit Tataouine city
• Lunch at traditional Tunisian restaurant
• Visit Zarzis Salt Lake and take photos

The experience

The route reverses the usual direction through this region, which means you reach Matmata and Chenini during their quietest hours: no crowds at the troglodyte houses or the hilltop village. Day one starts with pickup in Djerba or Zarzis, then a stop in Medenine's market before heading to Toujane, a Berber village where you meet locals and photograph the landscape. From there you visit the Star Wars filming locations and explore the underground homes carved into the earth, then eat lunch before pushing into the desert.

The afternoon takes you to Ksar Ghilane Oasis, where hot springs feed a pool surrounded by palms. You can add a quad or camel ride to explore the empty space, then return to the camp as the sun sets. Dinner happens under the open sky, followed by a traditional Saharan party with live music and dance. A nomad baker prepares sand bread, mella, in front of you, and you taste it fresh. After eating you shower and sleep in a comfortable tent with towels, blankets and pillows provided.

Day two begins with breakfast, then a guided hike through Chenini, the hidden village camouflaged into a mountainside. You visit Tataouine, the city that inspired Star Wars, and eat lunch at a traditional Tunisian restaurant. On the return to Zarzis, the guide stops at a vast salt lake where you can touch and collect the natural salt, photograph it, and learn how it forms. The tour ends with your return to Djerba or Zarzis.

What’s included

• Pickup from Djerba or Zarzis.
• guided visits to Medenine market, Toujane Berber village, Matmata's troglodyte houses and Star Wars museum site, Ksar Ghilane Oasis with hot springs, Chenini mountain village, Tataouine city and traditional lunch, and Zarzis Salt Lake.
• one night in a desert camp tent with towels, blankets and pillows.
• dinner under the stars with traditional Saharan music and dance.
• fresh sand bread baking demonstration.
• breakfast on day two.
• live guide in English, Spanish, Italian, French and two additional languages.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 06:00

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (1 to 2 years)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German, Italian and Arabic

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

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.

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availableNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Saoud Voyages

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want to avoid the peak-hour crowds at Matmata and Chenini. The reversed route reaches both sites during their quietest hours. The overnight desert camp is the core of the experience, so plan for a moderate level of physical fitness and comfort sleeping in a tent. The hike on day two is guided but uneven terrain is involved.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian and Arabic.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (1 to 2 years).

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 houses in Matmata?

Matmata's troglodyte houses are underground Berber dwellings carved into the earth, built centuries ago to shelter from the desert heat. The tour includes a visit to these homes and the nearby Star Wars museum, which used the location for filming.

Is the overnight camp comfortable, and what's included?

The camp provides comfortable tents with towels, blankets and pillows. Dinner and breakfast are included. Dinner is served under the stars with traditional music and dance, and a nomad baker prepares fresh sand bread at the camp.

Can I add activities like camel or quad riding?

Yes, quad and camel rides are available as extra activities in the Sahara desert portion of day one, allowing you to explore the open space beyond the oasis before returning to camp.

What is Chenini, and how long is the hike there?

Chenini is a hidden Berber village built on top of a mountain, designed to blend into the landscape. Day two includes a guided hike through the village. The exact duration depends on the group's pace and interests.

Will I see the Zarzis Salt Lake?

Yes, on the return journey to Zarzis on day two, you stop at the salt lake where you can touch and collect real natural salt, take photographs and learn how it forms from your guide.