Tunisia sits on the Sahara's doorstep, so 4x4 safaris across the sand are easy to come by. But this tour takes things to the next level. You'll travel among the dunes in an off-road vehicle, visit the village of Tamazret and explore ‘the planet Tatooine' from Star Wars. Finally, a camel ride completes the experience. Hamdi, one of our local guides, says, ‘Hidden deep in the arid hills of southern Tunisia is Matmata, an underground village where homes are in caves dug into the soft sandstone. First, a large pit is hollowed out and then caves are dug into the rock around the pit, to form the underground rooms. The base of the pit becomes a central courtyard.'
First, we'll stop for a Tunisian coffee at the hilltop village of Tamazret. Its characteristic mudbrick houses blend into the surrounding landscape. While its streets wind upwards to a whitewashed mosque gazing over the desert plains. Next, you'll head to Douz, home to Tunisia's biggest oasis. The town is known as ‘the Gateway to the Sahara' – beyond the date plantations, the desert stretches as far as the eye can see.
And you'll get a closer look at Tunisian culture when you set off on an optional camel ride, a true flavour of desert life. Afterwards, enjoy a typical local lunch before your visit to the troglodyte village at Matmata. Once you see its ancient cave dwellings, you'll understand why it landed a role as Luke Skywalker's home on Tatooine in the first Star Wars movie.
