Voyagez en famille sur les traces des nomades en Tunisie

Upon arrival at Djerba-Zarzis Airport, a warm welcome awaits you: smiles, the first scents of jasmine, and the golden light of the South. You will then be transferred to the charming town of Houmt Souk, the beating heart of the island, where whitewashed alleys and blue shutters tell centuries of history. Check-in at a boutique hotel nestled in the old town — a peaceful haven with traditional décor, perfect for settling in and starting to dream of the desert. In the evening, savor a dinner infused with local flavors, in a soft and serene atmosphere. Your first night on Tunisian soil… lulled by the distant echoes of the sea and the whisper of the wind through the palm trees.

An early morning departure marks the beginning of a deep immersion into the soul of southern Tunisia. You leave Djerba via the Roman causeway, a path steeped in history, heading towards Médenine, where a coffee break invites you to enjoy a moment of calm and conviviality. The journey continues towards Guermassa, one of the most impressive ridge villages in southeastern Tunisia. Perched about 10 km southwest of Ghomrassen, this ancient village houses a genuine archaeological citadel listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Every stone tells the story of a rich and fascinating past. Further on, you reach Chenini, a Berber village carved into the cliffside, stretching up to the ruins of an ancestral ksar perched at the summit. Take your time to climb to this spectacular viewpoint: the panorama over the surrounding valleys is breathtaking. Accompanied by a local guide, you explore the semi-troglodyte houses, witnesses of architecture adapted to the climate and terrain, and an authentic way of life. In Tataouine, a well-deserved lunch awaits you in a warm hotel, followed by a convivial moment around traditional tea. In the afternoon, head to Ksar Ouled Soltane, one of Tunisia’s most remarkable ksour, famous for its double courtyard dating from the 15th and 19th centuries — a rare feature reflecting its evolution through the centuries. Then, you discover Ksar Jelidat, an impressive complex of fortified granaries remarkably well preserved, illustrating communal life and resource conservation techniques in this arid region. The day ends with your stay in a troglodyte guesthouse, perfectly integrated into its natural surroundings, offering an authentic atmosphere and a peaceful night under the sign of Berber tradition.

After a refreshing breakfast, you set off towards Ghomrassen, where you will explore the mysterious protohistoric rock paintings in the caves of Aïn Sefri. These millennia-old artworks, engraved in the rock, open a fascinating window onto the first inhabitants of the region and their ways of life. Next, a delicious break awaits you at a local pastry shop, to taste the famous "cornes de gazelle," sweet treats that melt in your mouth and awaken the senses. You then stop at the foot of the cliff housing the Marabout of Sidi Arfa, a sacred site watching over the town of Tataouine from its heights, with multiple caves carved into the rock, bearing witness to a spiritual and mysterious past. Back in Tataouine-les-Bains, you stroll through the local market, a true kaleidoscope of colors, scents, and flavors, where artisans and merchants keep ancient crafts alive. Lunch at the hotel offers a chance to recharge before visiting the captivating Memory of the Earth Museum, which reveals the impressive presence of dinosaurs in the region during the Mesozoic era—a surprising dive into a distant and grand past. You continue with a visit to the artisan village, where skilled hands still craft traditional objects today, keeping a living cultural heritage. In the afternoon, a trail leads you to the heights overlooking the town, where you explore the remains of a former French military prison, closed in 1938. This historically charged site offers a moving perspective on past hardships. The day ends with a convivial dinner and a restful night in your troglodyte guesthouse, in the heart of a landscape sculpted by time.

After an energizing breakfast, the adventure continues on the desert tracks toward the magical Saharan oasis of Ksar Ghilane. On the way, a stop is made at the Monument of the Leclerc Column, a historic symbol marking the Liberation, a moment of remembrance in the heart of the Sahara. Upon arrival at Ksar Ghilane, you find yourself in a dreamlike setting: a lush oasis in the middle of the desert, where a natural hot spring bursts forth, perfect for a welcome moment of relaxation (free access). You can choose to explore this peaceful haven on the back of a dromedary, for an authentic desert-paced ride, or take an optional quad excursion to the mysterious Roman Fort, a relic of an ancient past, for an even more intense adventure (extra cost). Lunch on site offers a convivial moment, surrounded by this unique landscape of palm trees and golden dunes. In the afternoon, you resume your journey to Douz, crossing the breathtaking landscapes of the Ksar Tarcine region. The evening ends with a warm dinner and a comfortable night in a 4-star hotel, perfect for recharging before the next part of the trip.

Early in the morning, let yourself be immersed in the unique atmosphere of the Douz livestock market, an authentic gathering where herders and nomads come together to trade, sell, and share stories. The bustle of colors, voices, and animals creates a spectacle all its own. Around 10 a.m., you get back into your 4x4 vehicles to cross breathtaking landscapes: Nouaïl, Blidet, Telmine… until you reach the vast Chott el Djerid, the endless salt lake. A photo stop is a must to capture this mysterious white expanse sparkling under the sun. You then continue toward Nefta, a charming oasis where a local lunch awaits you, followed by a relaxing walk around the site called the Basket of Nefta and along the Ras el Aïn trail, offering panoramic views of the palm grove and surrounding desert. The day continues in Tozeur, where you visit the fascinating Eden Palm, an open-air museum dedicated to the palm tree, a vital symbol of the region. You end this outing with a horse-drawn carriage ride through the lush oasis, a moment filled with softness and poetry. After a day full of contrasts, a delicious dinner awaits you in a local guesthouse, where you will spend a restful night.

This morning, head towards Metlaoui, the starting point of a unique railway adventure aboard the legendary Bey’s train, nicknamed the Red Lizard. This small red train winds through the spectacular Selja Gorges, grand natural settings that served as the backdrop for the film Wild Wild West. A timeless experience where each turn reveals breathtaking panoramas. After this railway journey, get ready to explore the splendid mountain oases by 4x4: the canyons and waterfalls of Midès, the lush valley of Tamerza where a well-deserved lunch awaits you, and the peaceful springs of Chebika, true havens of freshness in the heart of the desert. Returning to Tozeur still offers some discoveries: a visit to a traditional brick factory, where ancestral know-how and traditional techniques combine to shape typical bricks, followed by a guided stroll through the old medina, the vibrant heart of the city, rich in picturesque alleys and local crafts. The evening ends with a gourmet dinner, perfect for resting after an emotionally rich day.

This morning, you cross the Chott el Djerid, a vast salt lake with a surreal landscape, reaching the hot springs of Kebili, true thermal oases in the heart of the desert. Your journey continues towards Douz, then the charming Berber village of Tamezret, where a photo stop allows you to capture the beauty of traditional houses clinging to the hillside. In Matmata, you enjoy a convivial lunch before diving into local history with a visit to an authentic troglodyte dwelling carved into the rock, offering a fascinating glimpse into this ancestral way of life. On the way back, a photo stop at the Berber village of Toujane invites you to appreciate its narrow streets and stone houses, witnesses of a living heritage. The trip ends with the ferry crossing linking the mainland to the island of Djerba, with the majestic cliffs of Jorf as a backdrop. You rediscover the island charm with dinner and an overnight stay in a charming hotel or a 3-star hotel, perfect for savoring the softness of this unique island.

The sun rises one last time over Djerba, bathing the streets of Houmt Souk in a soft golden light. After a peaceful breakfast, it’s time to pack your bags — though a part of you will surely remain here, somewhere between the desert and the sea. Your transfer to Djerba-Zarzis Airport awaits, punctuated by final glimpses of palm trees, whitewashed domes, and the endless blue sky. Assistance is provided for departure formalities, ensuring that this final moment unfolds in complete serenity. You leave Tunisia with sand in your pockets, images in your eyes… and perhaps a piece of the Sahara in your heart.