Couples in Douz: Sunset Rides and Desert Camps

Before you book, read the latest US State Department and UK FCDO travel advice for Tunisia. Parts of the far south are military or border zones that tourists cannot enter, and desert trips should go through a licensed local operator.

Couples come to Douz for the desert and not for the town. There are no boutique hotels with rooftop dining and no waterfront. What there is: open sky, quiet dunes and a handful of simple pleasures that cost little. The cooler months of October to April are the right time to visit.

Sunset by camel

Ride out at dusk from the dune fringe south of town. Rates are about 30 TND per person for one hour and about 60 TND for two, and they differ between providers. A private ride, rather than a group line, makes it quieter. Check the animals before booking: good operators keep them watered, shaded and rested.

Camp under the stars

A night in a camp south of Douz or at Ksar Ghilane means a fire, a late dinner and a sky with almost no light pollution. Deep desert camps are reached via military zones and checkpoints, so book with a licensed local operator. Ksar Ghilane is around 130 to 145 km from Douz, and the drive takes about 2 hours. The oasis has a warm spring of about 29 C according to operator listings. Search Ksar Ghilane camps and guest houses to compare, and read the Ksar Ghilane entry on Wikipedia for how the camps are laid out.

Palm grove at the end of the day

A calèche carries two to four people through the date palms for about 25 to 35 TND per carriage over 60 to 90 minutes. The shaded tracks and water channels are calm in the late afternoon. At the end of the day, Sun Palm Douz offers a pool and a place to sit.

Hammam

For a gentler evening, try one of the town hammams, which keep separate hours for men and women, or book a private session at a hotel that has one.

What is not on offer

Douz has no sunset dinner cruises, and the salt pan of Chott el Djerid carries no boats. The sea is far away: Djerba lies some 240 km to the east. Some touts near the dunes offer photos with a captive fennec fox. Say no. Fennecs are sold to tourists, every fee supports the trade and keeping one is illegal.

Small things that help

  1. Carry cash in dinars, since cards work only at larger hotels.
  2. Take closed shoes for walks after dark.
  3. In summer, plan for dawn and dusk, as the heat is extreme.
  4. Stay inside when sand is blowing.

Browse hotels in Douz to see what is currently listed. Checkpoint etiquette and summer heat warnings are on the FCDO safety page .

Read more: multi-day trips from Douz and couple activities in Douz .