2-Day Sahara Tour from Tunisia: El Jem, Matmata & Desert Dunes

Stand at the world's second-largest Roman colosseum, then watch the sunset paint the Sahara gold.

A 2-day guided tour of the Moroccan Sahara departing from Sousse, Monastir, Hammamet or Tunis, visiting El Jem's UNESCO-listed amphitheatre, Berber underground homes in Matmata, the Star Wars filming location, Douz's desert dunes at sunset, and ending at Kairouan's Great Mosque. The tour includes an air-conditioned vehicle, a live guide, and water. Meals and optional activities like camel rides or quad tours cost extra.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: El Jem, Matmata, Sahara Desert

• Visit El Jem Roman Colosseum
• Lunch break in Matmata
• Tour Berber Troglodyte House
• Explore Star Wars filming location
• Watch sunset in Douz Sahara Desert
• Optional quad or camel tour

Day 2: Salt Lake, Canyons, Kairouan

• Sunrise at Salt Lake Chott el Jerid
• Optional Jeep tour to Ong Jmal
• Visit oasis waterfall
• Panoramic photos at Chebika Canyons
• View underground city of Tamaghza
• Lunch break in Matmata
• Visit Great Mosque of Okba in Kairouan

The experience

The tour opens at El Jem, where you'll walk through the world's second-largest Roman colosseum: a UNESCO site that still stands almost intact after nearly two thousand years. Your guide leads you through its history and architecture before you break for lunch in Matmata, a village built partly underground. There you'll visit a traditional Berber troglodyte house carved into rock, taste local bread and honey, and see the Star Wars filming location where Luke Skywalker's home was shot. The afternoon takes you to Douz, the gateway to the Sahara, where you watch the sunset over the dunes. Quad tours and camel rides are available here for an extra fee.

Day two starts before dawn at the Salt Lake of Chott el Jerid, Tunisia's second-largest salt flat, where you'll photograph the sunrise across the white expanse. You then move to the Chebika oasis, where waterfalls drop from cliffs and you can swim if you choose, followed by a stop at the Tamaghza canyons for panoramic views and a chance to feed baby camels. A second jeep excursion into Ong Jmal, the second Star Wars filming site, is optional and costs extra. After lunch, the tour ends in Kairouan at the Great Mosque of Okba, one of North Africa's oldest and most significant mosques, where you'll sample traditional sweets and tea at no cost.

An air-conditioned vehicle picks you up from your hotel in Sousse, Monastir, Hammamet or Tunis and carries the group for both days. Your guide speaks English, Spanish, Italian, French or another language depending on your booking. Meals beyond the complimentary tea and sweets cost around 9 euros per person for local lunch. Optional activities like camel rides (roughly 10–15 euros per person) and quad tours (roughly 20–25 euros per person) are booked on the day. The jeep excursion to Ong Jmal runs about 120 euros per vehicle for up to six people.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned vehicle for both days.
• live guide in your choice of English, Spanish, Italian, French or another language.
• water bottles.
• complimentary traditional sweets and tea at the Great Mosque of Okba on day two.
• hotel pickup from Sousse, Monastir, Hammamet or Tunis.

Options for this experience

2 options

From Sousse/Monastir/HammametGuide in 5 languages · 6 departure times: the first at 06:00, the last at 08:30Pickup is included for departures from Sousse, Monastir or Hammamet

Departing from the capital, TunisGuide in 5 languages · 5 departure times: the first at 06:00, the last at 08:00Includes pickup

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day6 departure times: the first at 06:00, the last at 08:30

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Under 18: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German and Italian

Audio guideEnglish and French

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 4 pickup points.

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

Prices and times updated 15 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Ayo Prestige Tour

Is this one for you?Choose the Sousse, Monastir or Hammamet departure if you're staying on the coast. Pick the Tunis option if you're based in the capital. Both routes cover the same sites and activities. The difference is only where you start and end the day.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

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

What is the El Jem Amphitheatre and why is it worth seeing?

El Jem is the world's second-largest Roman colosseum, a UNESCO World Heritage site built nearly two thousand years ago and still standing almost intact. Your guide walks you through its ancient history and colossal architecture, and it's one of the most iconic Roman landmarks in the world.

Can I ride a camel or quad bike in the Sahara dunes, and what does it cost?

Yes, both are optional on day one in Douz. Camel rides run roughly 10–15 euros per person depending on group size, and quad tours cost roughly 20–25 euros per person. You arrange these on the day with your guide.

What happens on the second day of the tour?

Day two begins with sunrise at the Salt Lake of Chott el Jerid, then moves to the Chebika oasis where you can swim by waterfalls, the Tamaghza canyons for photos and camel feeding, and ends in Kairouan at the Great Mosque of Okba with complimentary traditional sweets and tea.

Where does the tour pick me up, and what's included in the price?

Pickup is from your hotel in Sousse, Monastir, Hammamet or Tunis. The price includes the air-conditioned vehicle, a live guide, water bottles, and the complimentary tea and sweets at the end. Meals, camel rides, quad tours and the optional jeep excursion to Ong Jmal cost extra.

Is the Star Wars filming location included in the tour?

Yes, the first Star Wars filming location in Matmata is included on day one. A second site in Ong Jmal is optional on day two and requires a separate 4x4 jeep excursion costing roughly 120 euros per vehicle for up to six people.

What is a Berber troglodyte house and will I visit one?

A troglodyte house is a traditional Berber home carved inside rock like a cave, originally built for protection from enemies. You'll visit one in Matmata on day one, enjoy Berber tea, and taste locally made bread, olive oil and honey. A voluntary tip to the family is appreciated.