HomeSahara ToursTunisia: 3-Day Sahara Desert Tour with Camp & Bivouac

Tunisia: 3-Day Sahara Desert Tour with Camp & Bivouac

4.9 (9 verified reviews)

About This Experience

The three-day version exists to solve the complaint the two-day tours attract: too many hours in a vehicle. The same landmarks are here, spread over an extra day, and the middle day is spent in the sand rather than on the road.

Day one is the familiar southern run — El Jem's amphitheatre, the troglodyte houses at Matmata, then a private Bedouin tent at a camp on the edge of the Grand Erg Oriental, with sunset mint tea, sand bread and a folklore evening.

Day two goes deep into the erg with local guides and camel drivers and ends at a nomadic bivouac out in the dunes, which is a different experience from a permanent camp — no fixed structures, no lights.

Day three returns by way of the mountain oases at Chebika and Tamerza and the UNESCO-listed medina at Kairouan.

Highlights

  • Feel the thrill of a camel ride or 4x4 safari through the Sahara Desert
  • Explore the UNESCO World Heritage sites of El Jem and Kairouan
  • Spend a night in a Bedouin tent and another under the stars in the desert
  • Discover Berber culture and enjoy a traditional lunch with a local family
  • Visit the stunning mountain oases of Chebika and Tamerza in Tozeur

What's Included

  • ✓ Transportation from Tunis, Sousse, Hammamet, or Monastir
  • ✓ Visit to El Jem Roman amphitheatre
  • ✓ Visit to Matmata troglodyte houses
  • ✓ Traditional lunch
  • ✓ Accommodation in Bedouin tent at Dunes Insolites Camp
  • ✓ Traditional dinner under the stars
  • ✓ Breakfast at the camp
  • ✓ Guided desert trek with camel drivers
  • ✓ Bivouac setup in the desert
  • ✓ Traditional dinner cooked over a wood fire
  • ✓ Visit to Chebika and Tamerza mountain oases
  • ✓ Visit to Kairouan medina and Great Mosque
  • ✓ Traditional lunch in Kairouan

Not Included

  • Optional activities (camel ride, 4x4 desert safari, quad biking, sandboarding)
  • Personal expenses

What to Bring

  • Comfortable shoes
  • Warm clothing
  • Hat
  • Camera
  • Sunscreen
  • Water
  • Toiletries

Good to Know & Caveats

  • The tour involves long hours of travel and walking
  • Weather in the desert can be extreme; prepare accordingly
  • Optional activities are available at an extra cost

Not Suitable For

  • People with mobility impairments
  • People with heart problems
  • People with respiratory issues

Meeting Point

Early hotel pickup in Tunis, Hammamet, Sousse or Monastir on day one.

What Travelers Say

Rated 4.9/5 by 9 verified GetYourGuide travelers.

Excellent time. Nageeb was the best driver. He was very accommodating and informative. Within this trip you will manage to see many historical and significant Tunisian sites in such a short period of time. Perfect if wanting to see a lot in a short period of time. After reaching the desert after site seeing during the day we had a great time quad biking and travelling on camels under the sunset and setting up camp under the stars. Great views. The camel guides Abdul Majeed and Moises were also very chilled and cool. The other night we stayed at the main camp itself (Camp Insolites). The cabin tent we had was very nice and the show put on the evening was also enjoyable. The food was good and the service from the staff was great and very accommodating to everyone

— Zach, Septemb

One of the most wonderful experiences of a lifetime. You have to experience it for yourself, and all your preconceptions about the Sahara will disappear: no dangerous animals, the heat is bearable even in the middle of summer, and there's no danger. And all this thanks to a team of experts from the desert and southern Tunisia. It started with a customised organization that took our wishes into account, starting with pick-up at the location of our choice. And on site, a superb camp completely immersed in the middle of the dunes, with top-notch comfort and simplicity, respecting the surroundings. People who accompany us with extraordinary kindness. Special mention to Boubaker, who accompanied us during these 3 days, Abdel, who shared with us all his Bedouin authenticity and his love of the desert, Sami for his very extensive knowledge, and of course all the others, whom I cannot mention because I am limited to 1,000 characters! In conclusion, I recommend it and I want to come back for a longer stay. Thank you all for sharing this with us, with no hidden costs.

— Louis, Septemb

Amazing experience, absolutely recommended! The whole team and staff were kind, attentive, and always available to help us throughout the trip. Everything was organised, and the food was really good. Our guides, Boubaker and Sami, were super friendly, helpful, and professional from beginning to end. Thanks to them, we were able to enjoy this adventure in a relaxed and fun way, and we will always have a wonderful memory of this experience. The night at the bivouac with Mr. Mouldi was truly unforgettable. It was an amazing experience and definitely one of the highlights of the trip. The visits to the most famous places and the different stops along the way were also beautiful and interesting. Doing everything together over the three days allowed us to see so many different places while still enjoying the trip in a comfortable, well-organised, and relaxing way.

— Caterina, August

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between the camp and the bivouac?

The camp on night one is a permanent site with fixed Bedouin tents and facilities. Night two is a bivouac pitched out in the dunes — no buildings, no electricity, and the reason this itinerary exists.

Is three days worth the extra cost over two?

It buys pace rather than new landmarks. If long driving days are what you dread, it is the version to book; if you mainly want to see the Sahara once, the <a href='/2-day-sahara-tours/'>two-day tours</a> cover the same headline stops for less.

Where does it depart from?

Hotel pickup in Tunis, Hammamet, Sousse or Monastir on the first morning.

How fit do you need to be?

The desert trek involves walking and riding on soft sand. There is no technical difficulty, but it is a full day outdoors with limited shade.