3-Day 4x4 Safari from Sousse: Four Oases Deep in the Sahara

Ksar Ghilane to Thamerza: Four Oases in Three Days Instead of Four

A 3-day 4x4 safari from Sousse, Hammamet or Tunis that visits all four major Tunisian oases (Ksar Ghilane, Chebika, Tozeur and Thamerza) in a single trip, with one night in a desert tent 100km inside the Sahara and one night in a 4-star hotel at the edge of an oasis. The itinerary includes the Roman amphitheater at El Jem, three Star Wars filming locations, camel and quad riding on the dunes, and a swim in a salt lake. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included. The guide speaks English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian and other languages.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Roman sites and desert camp

• Visit Roman amphitheater
• Explore underground cave houses
• Viewpoint at moon landscape
• Visit Sidi Driss Star Wars location
• Photo break at Berber village
• Taste local mint tea and cake
• Overnight in desert tent camp

Day 2: Berber villages and desert landscapes

• Visit Berber fortified granary
• Walk ancient Berber village
• Relax with coffee on mountain
• Explore Sahara desert dunes
• Optional camel riding
• Walk at large salt lake
• Visit largest oasis by carriage
• Guided walk in oasis
• Overnight in 4-star hotel

Day 3: Star Wars sites and off-road adventure

• Visit Star Wars desert town
• See Ong Jmel mountain
• Dune riding and off-road
• Off-road on salt lake
• Walk in Atlas Mountain oasis
• Visit canyon oasis
• Photo break at Sidi Oqba mosque
• Buy souvenirs and carpets

The experience

Ksar Ghilane sits 100km deep in the Sahara, and this tour is built around reaching it and three other oases (Chebika, Tozeur and Thamerza) without the usual multi-day split across different operators. The route starts at the UNESCO-listed Roman amphitheater of El Jem, where the guide walks you through the best-preserved arena in Africa, then moves into the desert landscape itself: underground cave houses, the moon-like terrain around Sidi Driss (a Star Wars location), and a Berber village viewpoint where you stop for mint tea with almonds and honey cake. The first night lands in a tent at Ksar Ghilane oasis, inside the deep desert.

Day two covers the Berber and nomad heartland. You visit Chebika, a fortified granary and another Star Wars set, then the ancient mountain village of Tamerza with its easy walk and coffee break overlooking the settlement. Tozeur, the desert capital and home to many nomad tribes, opens onto the Grand Erg Oriental: an endless sea of sand where camel riding is available as an optional extra. The Chott el Djerid, the largest salt lake in North Africa at almost 5,000 square kilometers, gives you time to walk and photograph the absolutely flat expanse. The second night is in a 4-star hotel at the edge of Tozeur oasis, with an optional guided walk through the largest oasis in Tunisia (carriage rides available for an extra fee).

The final day is built around off-road driving and the Star Wars town set: the original film location in the middle of the desert. Ong Jmel mountain, shaped like a sitting camel and used in The English Patient, sits on rough terrain. Then comes dune riding and off-road driving across the moon-like salt lake landscape. The route ends in the Atlas Mountains at Chebika and Thamerza, the most beautiful and most dramatic of the Tunisian mountain oases, with time to walk and photograph before a photo stop at the Sidi Oqba mosque in Kairouan on the way back. Hotel drop-off is included.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off from Sousse, Hammamet or Tunis.
• two nights accommodation (one in a desert tent at Ksar Ghilane oasis, one in a 4-star hotel at Tozeur oasis).
• a live guide in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian or other languages.
• access to four oases, three Star Wars locations, two salt lakes, cave houses and Atlas Mountain scenery.
• time for swimming in a desert salt lake and walking through mountain villages.

Options for this experience

2 options

Private from Sousse/HammametGuide in 6 languages · 07:004x4 vehicle, includes pickup

Private from TunisGuide in 6 languages · 05:00Two-hour transfer to and from Tunis, pickup is included

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 dayDepartures at 05:00 and 07:00

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (12 to 70 years) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Under 3: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

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

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

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

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Paid on siteUS$ 11.36

Prices and times updated 12 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Agence Sahel Voyages

Is this one for you?Pick the shared group tour to split costs with other travelers, or book private if your group wants to control the pace and choose where to stop. The 3-day length is needed to see all four oases: shorter trips skip one, longer ones add sites beyond the main desert route.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

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

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years). Children under 3 can't be included in the booking.

Can I join a group tour or do I need to book a private 4x4?

Both options are available. You can join a shared group departure from Sousse, Hammamet or Tunis, or book a private vehicle from either city. The itinerary and inclusions are the same for both.

What is the Roman amphitheater at El Jem like?

El Jem is a UNESCO-listed site and the best-preserved Roman amphitheater in Africa. The guide explains the historical details and significance of this important location as part of the first day's route.

Do I sleep in a tent both nights?

No. One night is in a tent at Ksar Ghilane oasis, 100km inside the Sahara desert. The second night is in a 4-star hotel located at the edge of Tozeur oasis.

Is camel riding included, or do I pay extra?

Camel riding is optional and costs 12 euros extra if you want to add it. Quad riding on the dunes is also available as a paid option.

What Star Wars locations are on this tour?

Three Star Wars filming locations are included: Sidi Driss (an underground cave house), Chebika (a Berber fortified granary), and the Star Wars town set in the middle of the desert used in the first released film of the series.

Does the price include meals?

Hotel pickup and drop-off and two nights accommodation are included. Drinks at lunch and dinner are not covered, and some attractions like the El Jem amphitheater entrance are optional paid extras.