Wild Bivouac in the Desert

For the wild bivouac excursion in the desert of Tunisia, camels are essential to move around. Obviously, in the desert you can only find what you bring, camels are tireless walkers and they can carry up to 300 kg of luggage… And for a bivouac in the desert you need tents, mattresses , blankets, food, water, and all the kitchen equipment… Of course they also carry your bags. You can walk light!

At a minimum, you can do this experience for just one night.
Although the duration is short, it will leave you with unforgettable memories and will surely make you want to come back for longer.

You will leave with the dromedaries and their camel drivers in the afternoon, around 3 am in winter, around 4.30 pm when it is warmer.

For 1h30 or 2 hours you will walk (on the dromedaries or next to it… you have the choice).
Then, before nightfall, your camel drivers will set up the bivouac and you can help find the wood to make the fire.

When night falls, it’s time to enjoy a delicious couscous by the wood fire.
After dinner, it is the preparation of the traditional green tea. Traditionally it is during the tasting of the tea that we speak, that we tell stories, that we sing…

When it’s time to go to bed, you have to find your place to sleep. According to your desire, the temperature, the wind, you choose to sleep under the tent or under the stars. When the weather is clear, most of the time, the sky is extraordinary. The luminous night, without pollution offers the landscape of these sparkling and numerous stars. The silence is total…
For your comfort we provide tents, mattresses and 2 blankets per person. If possible bring a sleeping bag, if you don’t have one we have some to lend…

When you wake up, at sunrise, breakfast is ready. A good smell of bakery!!! the flatbread baked in the sand, it is eaten hot with jam, cheese, olive oil and biscuits… A real treat.
Then, after breakfast, it’s time to set off again and return to the starting point.

About the Wild Bivouac excursion

  • Duration : 2 days
  • Departure Time : 6h30 a.m 
  • Pick up : Djerba – Zarzis – Tataouine and Gabès (our team picks you up wherever you are in these cities)
  • Confirmation : immediate 
  • Guide : Arabic – French – English – German – Italian
  • Type de transport : Air-conditioned tourist vehicle
  • A trip approved by the Tunisian Tourist Office
  • Cancellation : See Terms and conditions

Highlights

Take advantage of pick-up at your address in Djerba or Zarzis
Enjoy a local experience and go off the beaten track
Leave the island of Djerba via the ferry (ferry) and return via the Roman road to discover the 2 entrances to the island.
Enjoy a camel ride of about 2 hours in the dunes of the Sahara.
Help find the wood, light the fire and prepare dinner over a wood fire.
Watch the sunset in a unique setting in the middle of the desert
Spend a night under the stars in a Bedouin tent
Enjoy a Bedouin evening with the camel drivers
Eat organic and enjoy a dinner prepared over a wood fire
Attend a demonstration of the preparation of sand bread (bread cooked under embers)
Visit the local market in Douz
Visit a Berber family in a cave house and learn more about Berber tribes
Explore the Hotel Sidi Idriss and the world of Star Wars
Discover the Berber village of Toujane nestled between two mountains.

Program

Day 1

Our team will pick you up in the morning at your accommodation to accompany you during these two days of discovery.

You will leave the island via the ferry (a ferry that carries about twenty cars for a crossing of about 20 minutes) and you will head towards Matmata, the troglodyte village par excellence.

On your arrival, you will visit a Berber family in their troglodyte house. With your guide, you will be entitled to all the rooms to discover the characteristics of its dwellings and you will even be welcomed by a good rosemary tea, served with olive oil and honey.

If you are a woman, your host will also be happy to put on the traditional outfit of the region for you to take some pictures.

Before going out, don’t forget to thank your hosts by leaving them something.

Continuation to Douz, the gateway to the desert. Arrival and visit of the colorful souk (if it is a Thursday it will be the best day as you could discover the cattle souk).

Lunch in a typical restaurant.

After the meal, continue to the small sandy village of Sabria where you will meet the camel drivers and begin a camel trek of about 2 hours.

At the end of the journey and when you arrive at the camp site, install yourself under the Berber tents in the middle of the large fine sand dunes (no tourist camp).

Free time to admire the colors of the sunset in the middle of nowhere… and the possibility of contributing to the search for wood to light the fire and even to the preparation of dinner on site.

During this evening, attend the preparation of the sand bread (bread prepared on site by the camel drivers and cooked under the embers) and enjoy a Berber dinner and an evening hosted by your friends the camel drivers.

Dinner and small entertainment around the fire.

Night in tents

Day 2

After breakfast, we take leave of the camel drivers and get into the 4×4. Departure to Douz and possibility of a quad ride in the sand dunes (extra). Continue to the city of Matmata and visit the sets of the Star Wars film.

Lunch in a typical underground restaurant.

After the meal we will go to visit the famous Berber village of Toujane where you will enjoy a hike of about 1 hour with a local guide. Visit the village, discover its houses and learn more about the 1969 floods. Discover the oil mill and the water point, then return to Djerba by the Roman road.

At this time, it would already be noon, so it’s time to eat, Djerbienne style! Your guide will accompany you to the fish market in Houmt Souk. The place where you will be introduced to a rare method of selling fish either “auction” or auction! Visit and your guide will take care of choosing the fish of the day. Then, in the restaurant next door, the gentleman will take care of grilling them for you and serving them at the table accompanied by a good Tunisian salad and fries.

Once your stomach is full, it’s time to digest a little! Then follow your guide for a walk in the alleys of Houmt Souk. Discover with him the old caravanserais also called “Fondouks” and learn more about the caravanners! Discover the spice market and the covered souk where you will find everything you need for your shopping and your gifts!

At the end of the day, head to Djerba Explore and take the time to visit these 3 modules! Start with the Lella Hadhria museum, the Heritage module and of course the crocodile park!

Once the visit is over, our team will accompany you to your hotel and it will be the end of your services, hoping to see you again for other activities and other discoveries.

Good to know

No sanitary facilities on site during the night: so plan your toilet bag.
The bivouac excursion in the Tunisian desert requires authorization from the Tunisian authorities, we will need a copy of your passport
For the camel ride it is best to wear trousers
For walking in the desert it is best to provide walking shoes.
Please let us know if you have any food allergies.
During the winter, the nights are cold, bring warm clothes.
The tent, mattresses and blankets are provided by our agency.
After the homestay visit we leave a tip to the family, do not hesitate to take some pocket money.

The Wild Bivouac in the desert in pictures

Excursion Bivouac au Désert Tunisien
Excursion Bivouac au Désert Tunisien

The Wild Bivouac in the desert in video

Itinerary

Price and Reservation

This excursion is exclusively private, requiring a minimum of two participants. You will be the only ones in the vehicle, allowing you to enjoy the experience at your own pace, away from the tourist crowds.

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