Sahara tour from Djerba: Ksar Ghilane, Matmata & Star Wars set

Swim in natural hot springs, walk through a Star Wars film set, and sleep in an underground home: all in one Sahara day

A private 4x4 tour from Djerba that crosses the Sahara to four distinct stops: the Ain El Amba viewpoint in the highlands, the thermal springs of Ksar Ghilane, the Sidi Idriss troglodyte village where Star Wars was filmed, and the clifftop Berber settlement of Toujane. A professional driver and certified guide lead the 10-hour journey. Lunch, all entry fees and vehicle transport are included. Children from age 3 are welcome, and the guide speaks English, Spanish, Italian, French and two additional languages.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Sahara and Star Wars sites

• Climb Beni Khedache highlands
• View from Ain El Amba balcony
• Relax at Ksar Ghilane hot springs
• Optional camel or quad trek
• Lunch under date palms
• Visit Star Wars set at Sidi Idriss
• Tour troglodyte home in Matmata
• Stop at Berber village Toujane

The experience

You start from Djerba with a driver and guide in a climate-controlled 4x4, heading inland toward the highlands. The first stop is Ain El Amba, a mountain viewpoint that opens onto the Great Oriental Erg: the Sahara stretches flat and endless from here. From there the route descends into Ksar Ghilane, where you can bathe in the natural sulfurous hot spring or, if you prefer, take a camel or quad trek to the Roman Fort of Tisavar ruins nearby. Lunch arrives under the date palms, an authentic Sahara meal served in the shade.

The afternoon takes you to Matmata and Sidi Idriss, the actual film location where Luke Skywalker's home was shot for the original Star Wars trilogy. You walk through the craters and enter a real subterranean house to meet a local family and see how they have lived underground for centuries. These are working homes, not museum exhibits: the families still inhabit them. Before the return to Djerba, you stop at Toujane, a Berber village carved directly into the mountain rock on the cliffs. It is the last stop and often the final photo moment of the day.

The 10-hour timeline means an early departure and a late return, but it compresses four distinct landscapes and two cultural sites into one journey. All entry fees, the guide's expertise and the vehicle are settled before you book. Lunch is included. Drinks and tips are optional.

What’s included

• Professional driver and certified guide fluent in your choice of language.
• climate-controlled 4x4 vehicle with air conditioning.
• all entry fees to Sidi Idriss and the other sites.
• lunch served in the Sahara.
• visit inside a troglodyte home with a local family.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 06:30

Book up to9h before

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

GroupUp to 12

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

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.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 12 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availableNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Saoud Voyages

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you have a full day free from your Djerba stay and want to see the Sahara's interior in one trip. The 10-hour timeline packs four stops into a single journey, so you trade an early start and late return for the chance to swim in thermal springs, stand on a Star Wars film set, and visit an underground village: all without splitting the experience across multiple days.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

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

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years). Children under 3 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 is the Star Wars site at Sidi Idriss actually like?

Sidi Idriss is the real filming location of Luke's home from the original Star Wars trilogy, built into the natural craters of Matmata. You walk through the site and step inside an actual troglodyte home where a local family lives, so you see both the film set and the ancient underground dwellings that inspired it.

Can I swim in the thermal springs at Ksar Ghilane?

Yes, the natural sulfurous hot spring at Ksar Ghilane is included in the tour. You can bathe in it, or choose a camel or quad trek to the Roman Fort of Tisavar ruins instead if you prefer not to swim.

How early do we leave Djerba, and what time does the tour end?

The tour runs 10 hours total, which means an early morning departure from Djerba and a late afternoon or early evening return. Your guide will confirm the exact pickup time when you book.

Is lunch included, and what if I have dietary needs?

Lunch is included and served under the date palms at Ksar Ghilane as part of the authentic Sahara experience. Mention any dietary requirements when you book so the guide can arrange it in advance.