3-day Sahara Desert tour from Tunis: Dunes, oases and Bedouin tent

Three days crossing the Sahara from golden dunes to ancient ruins

A 3-day tour of the Tunisian desert departing from Tunis, Sousse or Hammamet, with two nights of accommodation and a live guide in English, Italian or French. The itinerary crosses the Sahara through Kairouan's 7th-century Great Mosque, the oases and canyons of Chebika, Tamerza and Mides, the Star Wars filming location at Ong Jemel, the salt expanse of Chott El Djerid, the troglodyte dwellings of Matmata, and the 3rd-century Roman amphitheatre at El Jem. One night is spent in a traditional Bedouin tent. Camel rides are available as an optional add-on.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Tunis to Tozeur via Kairouan

• Explore Great Mosque of Kairouan
• Visit Aghlabid Basins
• Walk through Medina of Kairouan
• Optional lunch stop in Gafsa
• Arrive and check in at Tozeur hotel
• Optional quad biking or oasis visit

Day 2: Desert Oases and Salt Lake

• Visit Chebika mountain oasis
• Explore Tamerza waterfall and canyon
• See Mides canyon viewpoints
• Tour Star Wars set at Ong Jemel
• Discover Chott El Djerid salt lake
• Overnight in desert camping tent

Day 3: Matmata and Roman Amphitheatre

• Visit troglodyte dwellings in Matmata
• Explore El Jem Amphitheatre

The experience

The tour runs three days and two nights, departing from Tunis, Sousse or Hammamet with hotel pickup included. Day one heads south through Kairouan, where the Great Mosque of Uqba stands as one of the oldest in the Muslim world, its 7th-century minaret and marble columns marking the spiritual heart of the city. The Aghlabid Basins, built in the 9th century, reveal the region's hydraulic engineering. A stroll through Kairouan's medina passes through narrow souks and artisan workshops where the city's handmade carpets are sold. The route continues to Tozeur, with an optional lunch stop in Gafsa along the way.

Day two ventures into the heart of the desert landscape. Chebika sits as a mountain oasis ringed by dramatic cliffs and waterfalls; Tamerza offers a canyon with cascading water and palm groves; Mides presents steep cliffs and winding pathways carved into the rock. Ong Jemel holds the Star Wars filming sets from The Phantom Menace, where Mos Espa's futuristic architecture rises from golden dunes. Chott El Djerid, North Africa's largest salt lake, stretches to the horizon with seasonal shifts in color: white salt flats, pink hues, or turquoise pools depending on the time of year. The night is spent in a traditional Bedouin tent beneath the stars, surrounded by desert silence.

Day three turns toward Tunisia's ancient past. Matmata's troglodyte dwellings are carved directly into the earth, their circular pits and cave-like structures revealing how people lived in harmony with the landscape for centuries. The journey ends at El Jem, where the 3rd-century Roman amphitheatre rises as one of the world's best-preserved arenas. Underground passageways and tiered seating still stand, a reminder of gladiator battles and public spectacles from the height of Roman power. A live guide leads the entire tour in English, Italian or French. Camel rides through the desert are optional and can be arranged during the tour.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup from Tunis, Sousse or Hammamet.
• two nights of accommodation (one in a 4-star hotel or Airbnb with half-board, one in a Bedouin tent).
• a live guide in English, Italian or French throughout the tour.
• entry to the Great Mosque of Kairouan, the oases and canyons of Chebika, Tamerza and Mides, the Star Wars site at Ong Jemel, Chott El Djerid salt lake, Matmata's troglodyte dwellings and the El Jem amphitheatre.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:30

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Youth (12 to 17 years) · Child (4 to 11 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, French and Italian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

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

Prices and times updated 14 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomeNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Deep Sahara Travel

Is this one for you?Departures from Tunis, Sousse or Hammamet with hotel pickup mean you don't need a rental car or arrange your own transport to the desert. The fixed itinerary covers the major sites (from ancient Kairouan to the Sahara's salt lakes and canyons to Roman ruins) in three days, fitting the full range into one trip without backtracking.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, French and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 17 years); Child (4 to 11 years); Infant (under 4): free.

What is the Great Mosque of Kairouan and why does it matter?

The Great Mosque of Uqba in Kairouan, built in the 7th century, is one of the oldest mosques in the Muslim world and stands as a masterpiece of Islamic architecture. Its majestic minaret, marble columns and intricate tilework make it a spiritual and cultural landmark you'll explore on day one of the tour.

Can I ride a camel in the Sahara on this tour?

Camel rides are available as an optional add-on during the desert portion of the tour. You can arrange this with your guide when you arrive in the Sahara region.

What are the Star Wars filming locations at Ong Jemel?

Ong Jemel is where scenes from Star Wars: Episode I. The Phantom Menace were filmed. The Mos Espa set, with its futuristic architecture, remains in the desert surrounded by golden dunes, and you'll walk through the site on day two.

What makes Chott El Djerid special?

Chott El Djerid is North Africa's largest salt lake, famous for its shimmering mirages and surreal landscape. Depending on the season, the salt flats shift between brilliant white, soft pink and turquoise pools, creating an otherworldly vista that stretches to the horizon.

Where will I sleep during the tour?

Night one is in a 4-star hotel or charming Airbnb in Tozeur with half-board included. Night two is spent in a traditional Bedouin tent in the desert, an immersive experience under the stars surrounded by the Sahara.

What is Matmata and how is it different from other Tunisian towns?

Matmata is famous for its troglodyte dwellings, homes carved directly into the earth that create a dramatic landscape of circular pits and cave-like structures. This unique Berber architecture offers a glimpse into ancient ways of life and an otherworldly environment found nowhere else in Tunisia.