The Tunisian Sahara and Douz

The south of Tunisia opens onto the great Sahara, and the oasis town of Douz, known as the gateway to the desert, is where the golden dunes begin. Reached across the vast, shimmering salt flats of the Chott el Jerid, this is a land of palm oases, mud-brick ksour granaries, and dramatic desert scenery. The Star Wars sets are not here: they are across the Chott near Tozeur and Nefta, or east at Matmata and the Tataouine ksour. Visitors ride camels over the dunes at sunset, camp beneath the stars, and explore by four-wheel drive.

What's there

• The Sahara dunes - the golden dunes beginning at Douz.
• A camel trek - the ride over the dunes at sunset.
• The Chott el Jerid - the vast shimmering salt lake.
• The oases - the palm groves of Douz and the Nefzaoua villages around Kebili.

When to go

October to April for bearable temperatures, as the summer desert is dangerously hot; the winter nights can be cold, so pack layers for a desert camp. Douz holds a lively Sahara Festival, usually in December, of camel races and desert culture.

Things to know

The summer heat is extreme, so the desert is really a cool-season destination. The camel treks and camps range from short tourist rides to genuine multi-day expeditions, so choose to match your interest. It is remote, in the far south, reached via towns like Tozeur or Djerba. The dunes and oases, though, are a genuine taste of the Sahara.

Nearby

The oasis town of Tozeur, the mountain oases and the Star Wars sets are within reach.