2-day Tataouine tour from Djerba: Ksar Ghilane desert camp

Ksar Ghilane's thermal springs and a night under desert stars

A 2-day tour from Djerba into the Tataouine region with overnight accommodation at a desert camp. The route covers Berber villages in ruins, Roman fort remains, and Star Wars filming locations, ending with a night in a tent at Ksar Ghilane oasis. Includes private guide, all entry fees, meals, and air-conditioned transport.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Explore Tataouine region and desert camp

• Visit Ksar Ouled Soltane
• Explore Chenini village
• Visit Ksar Hadada
• Travel to Ksar Ghilane oasis
• Swim in thermal springs
• Ride camels or quad bikes
• Settle into Zmela desert camp
• Dinner and overnight in tent

Day 2: Visit Matmata and return to Djerba

• Stop at Tamazret village viewpoint
• Visit cave houses of Matmata
• Lunch with local family
• Visit Sidi Idriss filming site
• Stop at Toujane village viewpoint
• Return to Djerba

The experience

Ksar Ouled Soltane, built in the 15th century as a collective granary for local tribes, opens the first day: its mud-brick chambers carved into the hillside 20 kilometers southeast of Tataouine. From there the route moves to Chenini, a Berber village carved into rocky cliffs with cave houses stacked into the mountainside and narrow streets that open onto panoramic views of the surrounding desert. Ksar Hadada follows, another fortified village of traditional mud buildings and watchtowers that doubled as Tatooine in the Star Wars films. The afternoon reaches Ksar Ghilane, a Roman fort ruin at the edge of an oasis, where you have free time to bathe in the thermal springs before settling into a tent at the Zmela camp for the night.

The second day begins in Matmata, where the troglodyte houses (dwellings carved into the ground and rock walls for protection from the desert heat) form a living museum of Berber architecture. Lunch happens at a local's home, where you taste traditional dishes prepared with fresh ingredients. A stop at Sidi Idriss, another Star Wars filming site, comes after, then the drive back to Djerba passes through Toujane, a village perched for panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.

The guide speaks English, Italian, French or German and travels with you throughout. Hotel pickup in Djerba is included, as are all entrance fees, accommodation at the camp, breakfast, and dinner. The vehicle is air-conditioned. Optional activities at Ksar Ghilane (a camel ride or quad tour across the dunes) cost extra and can be arranged at checkout.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup in Djerba.
• entrance fees to all sites on the itinerary.
• private guide approved by the Tunisian national tourist office.
• air-conditioned vehicle and driver.
• one night in a tent at the Zmela desert camp.
• breakfast and dinner.
• all meals and refreshments as specified in the program.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Infant (under 12)

GroupUp to 14

Live guideEnglish, French, German and Italian

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.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats available

Operated by TRAVEL EST TUNISIA

Is this one for you?The guide delivers commentary in English, Italian, French or German, so choose the language that suits you when booking. The 2-day format means you reach the desert camp and thermal springs in one afternoon, then explore the troglodyte villages the next morning: a pace that covers both the Roman ruins and the Berber settlements without rushing either one.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, French, German and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Infant (under 12).

What is Ksar Ouled Soltane and why does it matter?

Ksar Ouled Soltane is a 15th-century Berber fortification 20 kilometers southeast of Tataouine that served as a collective granary for local tribes. It was also used as a filming location for Star Wars: Episode I, with its mud-brick chambers representing the cave dwellings of Tatooine.

Can I swim at Ksar Ghilane?

Yes. Ksar Ghilane has thermal springs where you have free time to bathe during the afternoon before dinner and the night in the desert camp.

Where do I sleep on this tour?

You spend one night in a traditional Berber tent at the Zmela camp at Ksar Ghilane oasis, with the desert sky as your ceiling and the silence of the Sahara as your backdrop.

What happens on the second day?

The second day visits Matmata's troglodyte villages (dwellings carved into the ground and rock walls) followed by lunch at a local's home to taste traditional Tunisian cuisine. A stop at Sidi Idriss, a Star Wars filming site, comes next before the return drive to Djerba.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup from your hotel in Djerba is included, along with all entrance fees, meals (breakfast and dinner), and air-conditioned transport throughout the tour.