From 06 to 11 May 2022 I was so fortunate to travel to the desert town Tozeur in Southwestern Tunisia with the German Travel Association (DRV). A journey far from what I imagined Tunisia to look and feel like - a journey back in time to a tranquil desert oasis with a slow pace of life, extraordinary landscapes and a world apart from modern Frankfurt where we started our journey.
The backstory
Tunisia is widely known as a sun and beach destination. The trip with the German Travel Association in cooperation with the foreign trade office of Tunisia aimed at revealing another side of Tunisia: the magic of the Southern region and the Tunisian Sahara as a tourism destination focusing on innovative and sustainable offers.
I can already say that much: successfully.
How it all started
On the 6th of May my friend Sabrina and I flew with Tunisair from Frankfurt straight to Tozeur. Joining the DRV on their trip to Tunisia was a rather spontaneous decision (in fact, we decided two days in advance). While packing I realized my passport was untraceable. Blessing in disguise, for German nationals the entry to Tunisia is possible with an ID Card under the condition that a package tour has been booked. Lucky me.
Arriving in Tozeur we were warmly welcomed from local press representatives. Due to the Covid situation the region didn't see any tourists for a long period and was suffering from consequential lack of revenue. Coming here now with DRV was seen as a sign for the beginning of tourism again.
Arriving in Palm Beach Palace
Driving to the hotel, I got a first glimpse of Tozeur and the region. Streets touched by desert sand nestled with palm trees and the hot, dry air coming from a town being located amidst the Sahara. The hotel we were accommodated was in the middle of the city center with two large outdoor pools and lush gardens. It stood out as a resort full of character, decorated with regional craftsmanship and the typical Tozeur bricks. Each of their suites was decorated in warm colors with fine fabrics.
After some welcome-drinks (oh the Tunisian peppermint tea!), we checked in and made our way to the Welcome dinner, a generous buffet serving the best of Tunisian delicacies.
The first day: Star Wars filming location Ong el Jmel
I've to admit, I've never been a huge Star Wars fan, however, seeing the filming location in the middle of the Tunisian Sahara is a rather surreal experience. Approaching the location, that is located 43 kilometers west from Tozeur, you have to travel by 4WD vehicle which is an adventure itself! Bashing through the sand, surrounded by dunes and dunes of golden sand with nothing around apart from the occasional camel, Frankfurt couldn't have been any further.
The filming set itself is a bizarre place. You drive for 40 minutes through endless dunes and suddenly fantastical structures, towers made of wood and fibreglass with dome-shaped houses pop up. Even for not-so-Star Wars fan the filming location transports a kind of otherworldly atmosphere.
Hungry and thirsty we then arrived to a picnic located in a beautiful tent amidst the desert accompanied by lively traditional dances and folklore.
Roaming the Sahara on a quad
The best way to experience the Tunisian Sahara probably is to get into it. And this is exactly what we did on our way back to Tozeur. It was my first time going on a quad trip and I was a bit scared at first. I mean, how do you navigate in the sand?
After some starting difficulties I fully enjoyed the experience. Driving with a quad through the Tunisian desert fully immerses you in it. Surrounded by only dunes, the Tunisian sun shining from above and a fun group of people: it was a thrilling adventure!
From desert to desert oasis
Later that day we were out on bikes cycling around Tozeur one the way to the city's desert oasis. Driving on red-dirths paths through lush, rather undeveloped agricultural land, you will take in Tozeur's vibe at a slower pace. After a while we arrived at an in every aspect outstanding Hotel - Diar Abou Habibi - which comprises of several wood-made huts located in a lush Palmtree garden. If I will come back to Tozeur, this is a hotel I would keep in mind as it's of an unique charme and set in a gorgeous location. And who would have expected to have such greeneries in the middle of the desert?
The second day: Up in the air
The next day we started early. Very early. Around 4.30 am we woke up and drove straight back to the desert from where we left the day before. The plan was to go on an hot-air balloon ride and see the Sahara from bird's eye view.
It was my first time in an hot-air balloon - and what can I say? Watching the sun rise above the desert and witnessing the vastness of the Sahara is an once-in-a-lifetime experience I can highly recommend to anyone (who is not that afraid of heights eventually).
The salt lake Chott el Djerid
In the afternoon we made our way to the Sahara's largest salt pan Chott el Djerid. At the time we were visiting the lake was completely dried up leaving salt crust on top. We were walking across the lake, stretching for miles and miles to the horizon and I was once more blown away by the vastness and variety of this country's landscape. In the distance it seemed as if there was a huge body of water laying in front of us but - as the guide explained, this was a Fata Morgana caused by atmospheric refraction. My first Fata Morgana.
Tozeur's true gem the Medina
Later that afternoon my friend and I decided to explore Tozeur's old town on our own and luckily, we did so. Saying the Medina is charming wouldn't do it any justice. The old town totally got us. Strolling through the streets, you notice Tozeur's traditional and very unique architecture. It's full of brick-pattern houses, horse carriages driving around, colorful rugs and a palm grove in the back. What an escape. Another thing we noticed was, the locals are outstandingly friendly, kind and appreciative of tourists. We chatted here and then and couldn't believe that every second local we met spoke basic German!
Would I come back?
I would. And I will. Whether it was roaming the Tunisian desert on a quad, witnessing sunrise on a hot-air balloon from above, exploring the ancient Medina or just mix and mingling with locals - each part of this three-days trip made up for an extraordinary experience. Tunisia surprised us with historical attractions, the sweetest people and the most outstanding scenery. Southern Tunisia's landscape is wild. The vast Sahara, Atlas mountains, the canyons with almost alien-like formations, isolated Berber villages - it's rough and soft, dangerous and peaceful at the same time - and definitely: really hot. In a world where more and more places look alike, coming to Tozeur has been an intimate, immersive journey far from mainstream tourism - and from everyday life.
