Ong Jemal and Mos Espa
A camel-shaped rock in the Sahara beside the standing set of a Star Wars desert town.
Updated 2 September 2026
Ong Jemal, the camel's neck, is a rock formation in the desert north of Nefta whose profile gives it the name, and it stands above a plain of dunes and dry lake bed. A short distance away is Mos Espa, the set built for the Star Wars prequels in the late 1990s and left standing: domed plaster buildings, moisture vaporators and market stalls, which the desert has been slowly reclaiming while volunteers occasionally shore it up.
The main sights
- Ong Jemal - the camel-shaped rock formation above the desert plain.
- Mos Espa - the standing Star Wars set of domed buildings and vaporators.
- The dune field - the sand and dry lake bed around the sites.
- The sunrise - the classic time to be at the rock, with tours leaving before dawn.
When to go
October to April is the season; summer heat here is dangerous. Sunrise trips are standard and leave from Tozeur before dawn. Sandstorms can close the tracks.
Before you go
A four-wheel drive and driver are necessary and the trip is sold as a package from Tozeur. Mos Espa is deteriorating and is a plaster film set, not a building. Vendors at both sites are persistent.
Nearby
Nefta is south, and Tozeur is southeast.
What to pack for Ong Jemal and Mos Espa
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
- Loose, light, long clothing - Covering up beats bare skin in the desert - and locals dress this way for a reason. Find on Amazon
- Comfortable walking shoes - Sightseeing means kilometres of pavement and cobbles daily. Find on Amazon
- A wide-brim hat + sunglasses - Shade for your face and eyes where there is none overhead. Find on Amazon
- A slim anti-theft daypack - Zips that close properly; keep it in front in crowds and on transit. Find on Amazon
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Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.
