Tozeur & Nefta

Tozeur and Nefta form the heart of the Djerid, an oasis region of south-west Tunisia bordered by the Chott el Jerid, an immense salt lake. Hundreds of thousands of date palms produce the deglet nour here. Tozeur’s medina, with its ochre brick façades and geometric patterns, and Nefta’s “basket”, a palm-filled hollow, make it a destination in its own right on a tour of the south.

Things to see and do

• The Ouled el Hadef medina in Tozeur and its brick architecture.
• Tozeur palm grove, on foot or by carriage, and the Dar Chraïet museum.
• Nefta’s basket and its marabout domes.
• The Chott el Jerid: crossing on the causeway road, mirages and white light.
• The mountain oases of Chebika, Tamerza and Midès, with waterfalls and a canyon.
• The Star Wars sets at Ong Jemel (Mos Espa), in the desert west of Nefta.

How to get there from Djerba

Houmt Souk to Tozeur: about 330 km via Gabès or via Kebili and Douz, then across the Chott el Jerid; allow 5 hours by road. The destination is therefore visited as part of a three-day tour combining Douz, the Chott, Tozeur and Nefta, with a night on site. Tozeur has an airport, but flights are few.

When to go

October to April for pleasant days; November and December coincide with the date harvest. Spring is mild and bright. Summer is very hot (often above 40 °C): best avoided unless you start very early.