2-Day Tunisia Sahara Tour: Kairouan, Tozeur, Douz & Matmata

Stand in the Great Mosque of Kairouan, sleep under stars in the Sahara, walk Matmata's troglodyte homes

A 2-day private tour through Tunisia's desert heartland, departing from Hammamet, Sousse, Monastir or Tunis. You visit Kairouan's Great Mosque on day one, drive through Tozeur's lunar landscapes and oases to Douz for a traditional Bedouin dinner and night in a desert camp, then explore the troglodyte dwellings of Matmata and the Roman amphitheater at El Jem on day two. An air-conditioned vehicle and driver are included. Accommodation in luxury tents is provided, though meals beyond the Bedouin dinner are not.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: From Religious Heart to Desert Magic

• Depart hotel early to Kairouan
• Visit Great Mosque in Kairouan
• Travel to Tozeur desert region
• Explore lunar landscapes and oases
• Observe stars astronomically
• Arrive in Douz desert gateway
• Enjoy traditional dinner under stars
• Overnight in Bedouin camp

Day 2: Berber and Roman Heritage Tour

• Depart for Matmata troglodyte homes
• Experience Berber lifestyle and mint tea
• Travel to El Jem archaeological site
• Visit Roman amphitheater

The experience

The route opens in Kairouan, the fourth holiest city in Islam, where you walk through the Great Mosque: a masterpiece of Arab-Muslim architecture. From there, the drive carries you south toward Tozeur, the desert's edge, passing through lunar landscapes, oases and natural waterfalls. An astronomical observation happens in the afternoon, and you arrive in Douz, the gateway to the Sahara, exactly as the sun sets. A traditional dinner under the stars precedes your night in a Bedouin camp deep in the dunes.

Day two starts in Matmata, where the Berber people live in homes carved into the earth. You spend time there, share mint tea, and see how the troglodyte dwellings work. The afternoon route takes you to El Jem, home to one of the world's best-preserved Roman amphitheaters: a site that rivals anything in the Mediterranean. An air-conditioned vehicle carries you the whole way, and your driver is local, punctual and trained for the route.

Pickup happens from your hotel in Hammamet, Sousse, Monastir or Tunis, depending on which you choose at checkout. The luxury tent accommodation is included. Meals beyond the Bedouin dinner are on you. WhatsApp support runs 24/7 if questions arise before or during the trip, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned vehicle with a professional local driver.
• luxury tent accommodation in a Bedouin camp in Douz.
• traditional Bedouin dinner on night one.
• hotel pickup from Hammamet, Sousse, Monastir or Tunis.
• 24/7 WhatsApp support throughout the trip.

Options for this experience

2 options

Hammamet, Sousse and Monastir07:30Pickup from Hammamet, Sousse or Monastir, wherever you are staying. Pickup is included.

Tunis Capital5 departure times: the first at 06:30, the last at 08:30Pickup from Tunis, wherever you are staying. Pickup is included.

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day5 departure times: the first at 06:30, the last at 08:30

Book up to4h before

GroupPrivate

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.

Paid on siteUS$ 171

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Hannibal Tours

Is this one for you?The fixed 2-day schedule packs four distinct regions (a holy city, desert oases, a Bedouin camp and Roman ruins) into one trip, so you see the range of Tunisia without committing to a week. Private transport from your hotel means no meeting points or group waits.

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Top questions

What is the Great Mosque of Kairouan like?

The Great Mosque in Kairouan is a masterpiece of Arab-Muslim architecture and stands in the fourth holiest city of Islam. You visit it on the morning of day one before heading south toward the desert.

Where do I sleep on this tour?

Night one is in a luxury tent in a Bedouin camp in Douz, in the heart of the Sahara. The accommodation is included in the package price.

What happens in Matmata?

Matmata is famous for its troglodyte dwellings: homes built into the earth by the Berber people. You explore these homes on the morning of day two and share mint tea with locals.

Which hotel pickup location should I choose?

Pickup is included from Hammamet, Sousse, Monastir or Tunis, depending on where you are staying. Choose your location at checkout and your driver will collect you from your hotel on the morning of day one.

What meals are included?

A traditional Bedouin dinner is included on the evening of day one in Douz. Breakfast, lunch and other meals are not part of the package.