Ksar Ghilane, Tunisia: The Complete Guide

Located in southern Tunisia, on the edge of the Grand Erg Oriental, Ksar Ghilane is a small oasis and a natural gateway to one of the most impressive dune seas in the Sahara desert.

This is the Sahara of your dreams, where extraordinary sponge-colored sand dunes stretch as far as the eye can see.

Visitors flock to Ksar Ghilane to explore the desert by camel or horseback, or to spend the night in one of the oasis' Bedouin camps.

A natural hot spring provides a place to wash the sand at the end of the day and the Roman fort of Tisavar is nearby.

We hope you enjoy watching this video about Ksar Ghilane, The Great Oasis

Source: Discover Tunisia

Main things to do

Once you arrive at Ksar Ghilane, you will be greeted by mysterious men in turbans on horseback, who will encourage you to rent their beautiful horses for a few hours of dune exploration.

Camels are also offered and are generally cheaper to rent.

Most people arrive with a 4x4 vehicle and there are a few dune trails to practice your off-road skills.

You can also rent buggies or ATVs.

Guided tours take you through the desert to the ruins of the Roman fort of Tisavar, which was claimed by Berber tribes in the 16th century.

If you have time, plan to spend the night at Ksar Ghilane.

This will give you the opportunity to take a sunset tour of the desert (either on horseback, camel, or ATV).

As the sun begins to sink below the horizon, the dunes turn orange to gold, pink, and red and stars begin to appear in an untouched sky from light pollution.

Between adventures, immerse yourself in the oasis of Ksar Ghilane.

Nestled in the middle of a date palm forest and fed by a hot spring, it is warm enough to be totally relaxing, yet still offers refuge from the desert heat.

Multi-day adventures

Most people visit Ksar Ghilane for a night or two and venture into the dunes in a single sunrise or sunset tour. However, it is also possible to visit the oasis as part of a much longer adventure in the desert.

Siroko Travel offers multi-day camel or horse trekking, including an 8-day itinerary from Douz to Ksar Ghilane.

Along the way, you will stay in open campsites or Bedouin tents and cook over campfires.

You need to be in shape because although your camel will carry all your gear, you will spend most of the trip on foot.

Ksar Ghilane is also the last stop on the two-week Adventure Treks journey from El Sabria south to the Algerian border.

If you like the idea of ​​spending a night in the desert, but don't have time for a multi-day trek, an alternative option is to book an overnight tour to a nearby Bedouin camp.

Here you can watch the desert nomads prepare their traditional meals, spend hours gazing at the stars and keep an eye on the strange nocturnal animals that live in the dunes.

Where to stay

There are several accommodation options in Ksar Ghilane. Some, like Campement le Ksar and Campement Paradis, are basic campsites with tents, restaurants, lounges, and bars serving alcoholic beverages.

The camps work with generators and normally the power is cut from 11:00 pm to 7:00 am.

Résidence La Source offers private hotel rooms with a private bathroom, as well as backpackers' dormitories with access to a shared shower.

All-inclusive rates include all meals and a camel, horse, or quad bike ride.

Camp Yadis Ksar Guilane is the most comfortable option in the oasis.

Its luxurious bedding tents are made in traditional Bedouin style and are arranged around a private, free-form pool.

All have air conditioning, heating, and a private bathroom.

The hotel also has a traditional hammam and a restaurant serving authentic Tunisian and Mediterranean cuisine. Camel and jeep excursions can be arranged.

Getting there

As there is no local bus or lounge (shared taxi) to Ksar Ghilane, the only way to get there is on an organized tour or in your own vehicle.

The oasis is approximately 145 kilometers from Douz and it takes just over two hours to get there.

Although the main road connecting the two is relatively good, once the oasis is reached, the paths between the camps are covered in deep sand.

So if you plan to rent a car and travel there on your own, make sure you get a 4x4.

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