Tunisia —
camel rides at sunset and the Sahara under the stars
We visited Tunisia in 2009 and it remains one of the most magical trips we have ever done. Staying right by the beach in Tunis, wandering through the ancient souks in the cool of the evening, soaking up the warmth and friendliness of the Tunisian people — and then the highlight of everything: an overnight trip to the Sahara Desert. A camel ride into the dunes at sunset, sleeping under a sky full of stars, and waking for another camel ride as the desert came back to life at sunrise. Tunisia is beautiful, affordable and genuinely special. We recommend it without hesitation.
What Tunisia gave us:
The trip with the camel ride we still talk about
Beach days, ancient souks and a night under the Sahara stars.
We arrived in Tunisia in 2009 and immediately understood why it has been drawing visitors from across the Mediterranean for centuries. Our base right by the beach in Tunis gave us the perfect combination — sea, sun and sand during the day, and then in the evenings the ancient city came alive in a completely different way.
The souks of Tunis are extraordinary — a UNESCO-listed medina of winding covered streets filled with the scents of spice, the colours of ceramics and textiles, the sound of craftsmen at work and the warmth of traders keen to share their city with you. Exploring them in the cool of the evening, with the heat of the day fading and the lights coming on in the narrow alleys, was one of those simple travel pleasures that stays with you.
But the absolute centrepiece of the whole trip was the overnight Sahara Desert excursion. We set off from Tunis and drove south into one of the world's great landscapes — and then at the edge of the dunes we mounted camels and rode into the Sahara as the sun began its descent. The colours that came — the golds, the oranges, the deep reds against the enormous sky — were breathtaking. We made camp in the desert, had dinner under a canopy of stars so bright and dense it barely seemed real, and fell asleep to the complete and total silence of the Sahara.
The sunrise ride the following morning was if anything even more beautiful. The desert at dawn has a coolness and a stillness that feels almost sacred. Riding out on camelback as the light crept across the dunes and the world slowly warmed back to life — it is one of the great travel memories of our lives.
Tunisia is affordable, welcoming, beautiful and genuinely surprising. The people we met were among the friendliest we have encountered anywhere in North Africa. It is a country that deserves far more attention than it gets and we would go back in a heartbeat.
The highlights — what Tunisia does best
Riding into the Sahara dunes as the sun goes down is one of those travel experiences that exceeds every expectation. The colours, the silence, the scale of the desert — it is simply magnificent and unlike anything else we have done.
Sleeping in the desert under a sky so full of stars it barely seems real is one of the most humbling and beautiful experiences travel can give you. No phone signal, no noise — just the desert and the night sky above you.
Waking before dawn and riding out on camelback as the Sahara comes back to life at sunrise — cool, still and impossibly beautiful. If anything even more breathtaking than the sunset the evening before.
The medina of Tunis at night — narrow lit alleys, the scent of spice and mint tea, ceramics and textiles at every turn, and the warmth of a city that knows how to welcome its visitors. A perfect evening every time.
Staying right on the Mediterranean gave us beautiful beach days to balance the desert adventures — warm clear water, good food and the easy relaxed pace of a Tunisian seaside holiday at its best.
Tunisia is one of the best-value destinations in the Mediterranean and North Africa — excellent food, good accommodation, memorable experiences and all at prices that make it a genuinely accessible holiday for every budget.
The Sahara Desert — our own photos from 2009
From the desert landscape and the camel trains to the extraordinary Sahara sunset — Tunisia through our lens.
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Book a Tunisia tour through TourRadar
Want to experience the very best of Tunisia — the Sahara Desert, the ancient medinas, the Mediterranean coast and the Roman ruins — with everything organised for you? TourRadar has brilliant tours covering this remarkable country.
Tunisia rewards exploration beyond the resort — the Sahara Desert excursion is extraordinary, the ancient ruins of Carthage and El Djem are world-class, and the medinas of Tunis, Sousse and Sfax are among the finest in North Africa. A guided tour is a brilliant way to see more of it without the hassle of figuring out logistics in a country where the rewards are greatest when you go off the beaten track.
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Book Tunisia experiences with GetYourGuide
From Sahara Desert overnight trips and camel rides to Tunis medina tours, Carthage ruins visits and Mediterranean day trips — browse Tunisia activities here:
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Common questions
Tunisia FAQ
What to pack for Tunisia
Tunisia packing essentials — what we'd bring
Tunisia is warm and sunny — lightweight clothing, strong sun protection and insect repellent are the essentials. For the Sahara overnight trip, bring a warm layer for the desert night which can be surprisingly cool, and wear covered shoes and long trousers for the camel ride.
Handy for maps and navigation around Tunis and on the journey to the Sahara — keeps you connected without expensive roaming charges.
View on Amazon →Tunisia uses Type C and E plugs — a universal travel adaptor is essential. Don't arrive after a long flight with nothing to charge your devices.
View on Amazon →The Sahara sunset and camel rides are unmissable photo opportunities — keep a power bank charged so your phone never dies at the most spectacular moments.
View on Amazon →Ideal for the Sahara trip and souk wandering — carry water, sun cream, a warm layer for desert nights and camera without weighing yourself down.
View on Amazon →Staying hydrated in the Tunisian heat is essential — particularly on the Sahara trip where the daytime temperatures can be very high. Drink more than you think you need to.
View on Amazon →Always worth having — for any minor scrapes, blisters from souk walking and anything that comes up on an adventurous trip including an overnight desert stay.
View on Amazon →Useful for desert evenings and the Tunis coastal areas — mosquitoes can be active at dusk. A good repellent makes the overnight Sahara experience much more comfortable.
View on Amazon →The North African sun is fierce — particularly in the open Sahara Desert where there is no shade. A high SPF is absolutely non-negotiable for the desert trip and beach days alike.
View on Amazon →Essential for the Sahara — you will be in full desert sun for hours. A wide-brimmed hat is one of the most important things you can pack for a Tunisia trip with a desert excursion.
View on Amazon →Lightweight, breathable and respectful for visits to the medina and mosques — also perfect for the camel ride where covered legs are far more comfortable in the saddle.
View on Amazon →Disclosure: These are Amazon affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. These are all things we'd genuinely pack for a trip to Tunisia.
Planning your own Tunisia trip?
Book the Sahara overnight trip. Get on a camel at sunset. Watch the stars come out over the dunes. Wake up at dawn and ride back out as the desert warms to life. Tunisia will give you moments you will never forget — and at a price that makes it one of the best-value adventures in the world.
Affiliate disclosure: if you book through our links we may earn a small commission at no cost to you. We only recommend trips and experiences we'd be happy to stand over.