Djerba Desert Tour: Ksar Ghilan, Douz Bivouac, Berber Villages

Swim in a desert spring, ride camels on red dunes, sleep under stars in the Sahara

A private 2-day tour from Djerba that takes you deep into the Sahara with an overnight camp 25 km south of Douz. Day one covers the pebble desert and Ksar Hallouf's Berber storehouses, then Ksar Ghilan oasis where you swim in a hot spring and ride camels or quads across ochre dunes before heading to the desert camp. Day two visits three Berber villages (Tamazret, Matmata and Toujane), where you're welcomed into a family's underground cave home. The tour includes tent accommodation, sleeping bags, all meals, and an air-conditioned vehicle with a guide who speaks English, Spanish, Italian and French.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Djerba to Douz desert camp

• Visit Berber Ghorfas at Ksar Hallouf
• Visit oasis and swim in hot spring
• Ride camel and quad in dunes
• Have lunch in Ksar Ghilan
• Travel to Douz desert camp
• Enjoy dinner and folk entertainment
• Camp overnight in Sahara desert

Day 2: Berber villages and cave dwelling

• Have full breakfast in desert camp
• Visit Berber villages Tamazret, Matmata, Toujane
• Meet Berber family in cave dwelling
• See Star Wars decor at Sidi Driss

The experience

You leave Djerba and drive south into the Sahara, stopping first at Ksar Hallouf to see the Berber ghorfas: stone structures where families once stored grain and provisions. The landscape shifts from pebble desert to sand dunes as you reach Ksar Ghilan, an oasis in the middle of the desert where a hot spring feeds palm groves. Here you swim in the spring's warm water, then choose between camel rides or quad biking across the red ochre dunes. A rich lunch is served in the shade. By late afternoon you head deeper into the sand desert, arriving at the camp 25 km south of Douz as the sun sets.

The evening is the point of the whole trip. After dinner cooked on a wood fire, the group gathers around the flames for folk entertainment, music and songs under a starry sky and the Milky Way. You sleep in a tent on a camp bed with sleeping bags and blankets provided. In the morning, a full breakfast is served in the camp before you pack up and drive north toward the Berber villages.

Day two takes you to Tamazret, Matmata and Toujane, where you visit a Berber family living in an underground house carved into the hillside: the traditional way of life in these mountains. You see the cave dwellings and learn how families adapted to the climate and terrain. The tour ends with your return to Djerba. Mineral water is provided throughout, and the vehicle is air-conditioned for the drives between sites.

What’s included

• Tent accommodation with camp bed, sleeping bags and blankets.
• mineral water.
• air-conditioned vehicle for all transfers.
• breakfast on both days.
• one dinner cooked on a wood fire.
• and a live guide in English, Spanish, Italian, French or one of the other languages offered.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 06:30

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (12 to 80 years) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Under 3: can't be included in the booking

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German and Italian

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.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Caravane du sahara

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English, Spanish, Italian and French, so you can follow the commentary if any of those languages work for you. The overnight camp is 25 km into the sand desert, which means the evening and starry night are the real heart of the trip. Book this if sleeping under the Milky Way and the desert quiet matter more than staying in a town.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

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

Can children come?

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

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the overnight camp like in the desert near Douz?

The camp sits 25 km south of Douz in the sand desert. You sleep in a tent on a camp bed with sleeping bags and blankets supplied. Mineral water and meals are included. The evening features a wood-fire dinner, folk music and songs around the fire under the stars.

Can I swim or ride animals at Ksar Ghilan?

Yes. At Ksar Ghilan oasis you can swim in the hot spring under the palm trees, and you can choose to ride a camel or ride a quad bike across the red ochre dunes. A rich lunch is served at the oasis.

What are the Berber cave homes like in Matmata?

The underground houses in Matmata are carved into the hillside and are the traditional dwellings of Berber families. You visit a family home and see how they live in these cave structures, which keep cool in the desert heat.

Does the tour include pickup from my hotel in Djerba?

Yes, pickup is included. The air-conditioned vehicle collects you from your accommodation and returns you at the end of day two.