Trip to Tunisia

[Timanfaya]

Hi there!
Anyone planning a trip to Tunisia next winter (2025)? Or willing to join us?

 

[El-Dracho]

Hi Sylvie,

I don't have any plans for 2025 yet. Maybe there is someone here from Europe who would like to go to Tunisia. Maybe you could write a few more details. How are you traveling (more off-road in the dunes or more culture)? Camping or hotel? For how long? etc. Such details could help in the search for a travel buddy.

Enjoy planning your trip!

Greetings from Germany,
Bjoern

 

[Timanfaya]

Hi everyone!
Yes, true, here you are more details:
We're planning to go with our 4x4 rig of course, by boat probably from Genoa to Tunis. Traveling through the whole country (from 2 to 4 weeks) from North to South till the desert.
Mainly wild camping or campsites.
Period: January / February 2025.
2 or more rigs for some areas and the desert are recommended and also more fun, who's willing to join?

 

[SStusek]

Hello Silvy and everyone.
I am also planing a Tunisia trip with my family and friends next month, three maybe four 4wd`s. There is still room for a good company to join with us too.
Any way I still have some unanswered questions or better unconfirmed facts. Since this is the only real topic about Tunisia I hope it's ok if I ask right here. The answers will surely come in handy to you or to someone else planing a Tunisia trip.

I belive everyone here is going to Tunisia mainly because of the desert. We are also planning 4 days of real southern sand desert. Something like classic route from Douz to Khsar Ghilane to Lake Houidhat and back via Tembaine to Douz or or vice versa to finish in Tataouine.

But, it is not entirely clear to me whether we need a guide this far south or what are the current rules for traveling / entering the desert in own 4wd. Maybe here someone has the latest information and knows that?

Travel information on the forums are confusing and out of date. It is not clear if registration with the authorities (military/police) and desert fees associated with it are enough (of course meeting the basic desert conditions equipment in a convoy). Or a tour agency with a guide is now mandatory for the desert? These guides come at a pretty high price!

Somehow I understood that there is no problem on route forom Douz to Khsar Ghilana route. Or that there are some zones, or basically it depends on who or what authorities you meet on the way?
Oh and that that the satellite phones are not allowed in Tunisia and will be confiscated at the border. What is that all about?


Thanks for any replies.
Simon

 

[Timanfaya]

Hello Silvy and everyone.
I am also planing a Tunisia trip with my family and friends next month, three maybe four 4wd`s. There is still room for a good company to join with us too.
Any way I still have some unanswered questions or better unconfirmed facts. Since this is the only real topic about Tunisia I hope it's ok if I ask right here. The answers will surely come in handy to you or to someone else planing a Tunisia trip.

I belive everyone here is going to Tunisia mainly because of the desert. We are also planning 4 days of real southern sand desert. Something like classic route from Douz to Khsar Ghilane to Lake Houidhat and back via Tembaine to Douz or or vice versa to finish in Tataouine.

But, it is not entirely clear to me whether we need a guide this far south or what are the current rules for traveling / entering the desert in own 4wd. Maybe here someone has the latest information and knows that?

Travel information on the forums are confusing and out of date. It is not clear if registration with the authorities (military/police) and desert fees associated with it are enough (of course meeting the basic desert conditions equipment in a convoy). Or a tour agency with a guide is now mandatory for the desert? These guides come at a pretty high price!

Somehow I understood that there is no problem on route forom Douz to Khsar Ghilana route. Or that there are some zones, or basically it depends on who or what authorities you meet on the way?
Oh and that that the satellite phones are not allowed in Tunisia and will be confiscated at the border. What is that all about?


Thanks for any replies.
Simon

Hi Simon and nice to virtually meet you!

Are you planning for a trip to Tunisia in October/November then? We're going to be there in January/February 2025 since in autumn we'll be in the Blakans
Let us know because it will be nice to join you!

Concerning the desert: we heard about several rigs traveling alone on the most common and well-known pistes in the desert, as you said the "Piste du Biben" and around. We know it's better to be a convoy and you should tell the Garde Nationale de Douz you're tackling that piste, just in case.. no need of any permit as far as we know. But actually it would be better if someone who has already driven it could comment on this.
Different thing will be the further South which isn't accessible.

No idea about satellite phone. Good question. We read that we should check this website before reaching the country: douane.gov.tn

Looking forward to reading your answers

 

[SStusek]

Hi, nice to meet you.
No, I wrote we are planning Tunisia trip next month :) so October/November 2024.

Regarding desert trips my last information is that, from 2022 I guess, a guide and autorization from official agency and tourism office is madatory?
But that's what the guides and agencies say, which of course have interest in making some money. I have no problem with that, but they are really very expensive for what they offer.
I would like to hear it from someone independent or someone who has recently been to Tunisian desert and knows what are the current rules in play there.

I guess we will probably have to find that out on the spot.

Thanks,
Simon

 

[El-Dracho]

Hi,

Check out the (german language)

Wuestenschiff Forum:

Maghrebstaaten und Nordafrika - wuestenschiff.de

There you will find plenty of Africa overlanders and latest infos.

And there is a FB Group called Overlaning Africa. Guess, also there many up to date information.

As far as I know there is still a guide mandatory for the so called restricted area in the south of Tunisia.

Safe travels
Bjoern

 

[SStusek]

Hi Bjoern,

Thank you for the link, I will try with the Wuestenschiff forum.

Thanks,
Simon

 

[w_entures]

Hello Sylvie!

We have been planning where to go during winter months and Tunisia has been one of our options. We could be interested to join you on the trip if you are still planning to go. I will send you a PM.

-Väinö

 

[SStusek]

Hello Sylvie and Väinö.

We have just returned from a 14 day trip through Tunisia and I have to admit it was one of the more beautiful trips. We had fantastic company and a mix of the beautiful Tunisian desert, mountain canyons and getting lost in the magical old medinas and souks. The people are incredibly friendly and hospitable.

What we managed to find out about the trip deeper into the southern desert (Ain Oudette or Sif Essuane) is that the guide and authorization from official agency at Garde de Tourism office is mandatory. Our guide also stopped at the Garde de Tourism Douz at the beginning of the route, where he filed our route. The guide also implied that there shouldn't be problems on routes that are not so south, for example Douz-Jebil-Ksar Ghilane or Douz-Jebil-Tembaine, and you could go without a guide if you are confident in your vehicle, equipment and are familiar with driving on sand.


Regards, Simon

 

[cinnamonroll]

Hi Sylvie,

I don't have any plans for 2025 yet. Maybe there is someone here from Europe who would like to go to Tunisia. Maybe you could write a few more details. How are you traveling (more off-road in the dunes or more culture)? Camping or hotel? For how long? etc. Such details could help in the search for a travel buddy.

Enjoy planning your trip!

Greetings from Germany,
Bjoern

I totally agree having a few more details can really help with planning and finding the right travel buddy! When I traveled somewhere new, I actually tried hiring a local guide, last time when I travel Indonesia I did book mine here Indonesia Private Tours & Local Tour Guides and it was a great experience. You could check out them also. It made navigating a lot easier, and having someone who knew the area added so much to the trip. Plus, a travel buddy can definitely make things more enjoyable!

Looking forward to hearing more about Sylvie’s trip—it sounds like an amazing adventure! Post some pictures. Have a safe travel!

 

[w_entures]

Hello all!

We had agreed to travel with Sylvie and Alfred, but unfortunately we just got the news that their Landy has broke down badly. Due to Christmas holidays and long delivery time for the spare parts, it looks there is a big risk they will not get the car fixed on time.

So, I'm asking if anyone else would be interested to join us on the trip?

We have acquired a ferry ticket from Rome (CIVITAVECCHIA) to Tunis for 2 cars, 4 persons and 1 four-person cabin. Due to ticket being special request, it is non-refundable. However, we have confirmed from the ferry operator that the names on the ticket can be changed at no cost. The dates can also be altered. The original dates are 15th January and return 4th February, but we are somewhat flexible with dates. (Unfortunately, Sylvie and Alfred cannot flex on schedule to wait the car to get fixed due to work).

The cost for you would be half of the ticket price, 1020€/2 = 510€. We are happy to have a video call (or meet in person in Greece) to discuss on the details and get to know each others before you decide whether you want to join us on the trip.

Some words about ourselves and our wishes for the trip. We are Väinö and Venla, both 28 and from Finland. We have been travelling now three months full-time on our Land Rover Discovery 3. Car is fully prepared for overland travel, we have experience on off-road driving (not from desert though) and we mostly like to wild camp. On Tunisia trip, we are looking forward to see of course the desert offroad pistes, but also local culture and cities, ancient ruins and other attractions.

-Väinö

 

[El-Dracho]

Hello all!

We had agreed to travel with Sylvie and Alfred, but unfortunately we just got the news that their Landy has broke down badly. Due to Christmas holidays and long delivery time for the spare parts, it looks there is a big risk they will not get the car fixed on time.

So, I'm asking if anyone else would be interested to join us on the trip?

We have acquired a ferry ticket from Rome (CIVITAVECCHIA) to Tunis for 2 cars, 4 persons and 1 four-person cabin. Due to ticket being special request, it is non-refundable. However, we have confirmed from the ferry operator that the names on the ticket can be changed at no cost. The dates can also be altered. The original dates are 15th January and return 4th February, but we are somewhat flexible with dates. (Unfortunately, Sylvie and Alfred cannot flex on schedule to wait the car to get fixed due to work).

The cost for you would be half of the ticket price, 1020€/2 = 510€. We are happy to have a video call (or meet in person in Greece) to discuss on the details and get to know each others before you decide whether you want to join us on the trip.

Some words about ourselves and our wishes for the trip. We are Väinö and Venla, both 28 and from Finland. We have been travelling now three months full-time on our Land Rover Discovery 3. Car is fully prepared for overland travel, we have experience on off-road driving (not from desert though) and we mostly like to wild camp. On Tunisia trip, we are looking forward to see of course the desert offroad pistes, but also local culture and cities, ancient ruins and other attractions.

-Väinö

Hi Väinö,

Welcome to Overland Bound!

Sounds like a good adventure ahead. Is there anything we as community could help Sylvie and Alfred with to get the Landy fixed in time?

By the way, if you like to introduce yourself to the community, you can do that here:

Member Introductions *NEW MEMBERS INTRODUCE YOURSELF* | OVERLAND BOUND COMMUNITY

Bjoern