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Tunisia Uncovered (Eclipse Special)
Group Tour
Overview
Lying at the heart of Africa’s once infamous Barbary Coast, sandwiched between the palm fringed shores of the Mediterranean and the sands of the Sahara Desert, Tunisia is a land of quite startling contrasts. Blessed with a mix of cultural traditions that can trace their origins back to the Berbers, the Phoenicians and the armies of Rome, it is home to an incredible natural diversity and a historical pedigree for its diminutive size.
Beginning in Tunis, the country’s bustling capital, we’ll ...
Lying at the heart of Africa’s once infamous Barbary Coast, sandwiched between the palm fringed shores of the Mediterranean and the sands of the Sahara Desert, Tunisia is a land of quite startling contrasts. Blessed with a mix of cultural traditions that can trace their origins back to the Berbers, the Phoenicians and the armies of Rome, it is home to an incredible natural diversity and a historical pedigree for its diminutive size.
Beginning in Tunis, the country’s bustling capital, we’ll have some time to enjoy the UNESCO grandeur of its medina and the impressive contents of the Bardo Museum, before paying a visit to the ancient ruins of once great Carthage. We will take in World Heritage Site of Dougga and pass by Berber mountain villages before we gather in the atmospheric amphitheatre of El Jem to watch the total solar eclipse.
In the south we will take in salt lakes and troglodyte dwellings, visit the oasis town of Tozeur and explore the historic Kairouan. The inviting Mediterranean coast and the captivating medina at Sousse then provide a stunning climax to this quite superlative journey.
HIGHLIGHTS
At a glance
MEALS
TRANSPORT
On this tour we will use minibuses and desert 4WDs.
GROUP SIZE
EXPERT TEAM
ACCOMMODATION
ENTRANCE FEES
FITNESS RATING
WILD MILES
ACCOMMODATION
As an overall ethos, wherever possible we aim to use characterful accommodation that enhances the overall travel experience, not just offers a bed for the night. This can obviously vary dramatically from country to country and from trip to trip.
On this particular trip we will be in comfortable hotels throughout. Some properties come with quirks and an individuality that can only be found when travelling off the beaten tourist path and, therefore, it is best to travel with an open mind.
Please note, in Le Kef and in Tozeur, depending on availability and group size, the group may be split between two hotels.
Please note, if you opt for a single supplement it will cover you for all nights of the tour except at Le Kef and Monastir.
Please note that the accommodation mentioned in the itinerary is intended as a guide only and is always subject to availability.
FITNESS RATING
LOW: You should be comfortable walking around towns and cultural sites. May include some optional walks (typically 1-2hrs).LOW/MODERATE: May be of a long duration and/or involve numerous border-crossings. May include easy/moderate day walks (up to 2-3hrs/day). You should be relatively fit and lead a generally active lifestyle.
MODERATE: May include several easy/moderate day walks (up to 2-5hrs/day) possibly at altitude. You should be relatively fit and lead a generally active lifestyle. Previous experience of similar trips helpful.
MODERATE/HIGH: May involve several days of moderate hiking (up to 3-6 hrs/day) possibly at altitude. You must be a fit and active traveller with appropriate trekking experience.
HIGH: May involve several days of moderate/strenuous trekking (up to 4-7 hrs/day) possibly at altitude. You must be a very fit and active traveller with appropriate trekking experience.
Wild Miles Club
When you book a trip with Wild Frontiers you are awarded points, which are based on the return distance from London to the arrival city of your trip. Points are awarded for all our holidays, including both our escorted group tours and tailor-made trips. When you accrue points, you will qualify for the following discounts on all future bookings:
| Blue | More than 10,000 points | 2.5% discount |
| Bronze | More than 30,000 points | 5% discount |
| Silver | More than 45,000 points | 7.5% discount |
| Gold | More than 60,000 points | 10% discount |
Map & Itinerary
Individual departures may vary so please refer to the information in the tour specific links in the Dates and Prices section below
Day 1 Tour start in Tunis: Arrival in Sidi Bou Said
Day 1 Tour start in Tunis: Arrival in Sidi Bou Said
The tour starts today in the Tunisian capital with accommodation in the nearby town of Sidi Bou Said, overlooking the Gulf of Tunis, available from mid-afternoon.
Those on the suggested group flights will arrive to the hotel in the evening. **Please refer to the GETTING THERE section for details of these.
Day 2 Tunis: The Medina & Ancient Carthage
Day 2 Tunis: The Medina & Ancient Carthage
The largest city in the country, Tunis has a long and distinguished historical pedigree. Originally a Berber settlement, it came under the influences of the Carthaginians, the Romans and the conquering armies of the Muslim Arabs. Today its historic medina is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and we pay a visit to it and the equally impressive Bardo Museum this morning. Later we’ll drive out to the nearby ruins of ancient Carthage, before returning to the Mediterranean charms and idyllic bay views of Sidi Bou Said.
Day 3 Tunis - Testour - Dougga - Bulla Regia - Le Kef: Ancient Roman ruins and mosaics
Day 3 Tunis - Testour - Dougga - Bulla Regia - Le Kef: Ancient Roman ruins and mosaics
Departing the capital this morning we head west, towards the old Andalusian town of Testour and the well-preserved ruins of Dougga. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, described as the “best preserved Roman small town in North Africa”, Dougga can trace its history back to the Berber and Punic times, pre-dating the Romans. Moving on to Bulla Regia, we then have a chance to explore the mosaics and underground ruins of this ancient archaeological site before ending our journey in Le Kef, where we will overnight.
*Please note tonight may involve splitting the group between two hotels, depending on availability and group size.
Day 4 Le Kef – El Jem: Elles’ Prehistoric Tombs & Makthar Ruins
Day 4 Le Kef – El Jem: Elles’ Prehistoric Tombs & Makthar Ruins
The provisional capital of Tunisia during WWII, Le Kef’s historic old town nestles along the cliff face of Jebel Dyr, some 40 kilometres east of the Algerian border. After a chance to explore a little of its heritage this morning, we then depart for Kairouan, stopping en route to visit the prehistoric tombs at Elles and the ancient ruins and museum in Makthar. Breaking the journey in the Berber mountain village of Kesra, one of Tunisia’s small villages, before completing the day’s journey to El Jem.
Driving time approx. 4.5 hours
Day 5 El Jem: Total Solar Eclipse
Day 5 El Jem: Total Solar Eclipse
This morning we will visit the stunning Roman amphitheatre of El Jem, another UNESCO World Heritage Site that can lay claim to being one of the finest collections of Roman ruins anywhere in the world. Unique in Africa, it is rivalled only by and modelled on the Colosseum in Rome. It is here that we hope to watch the solar eclipse in this dramatic and unforgettable setting. The eclipse will start at 08:56 with the total eclipse lasting from 10:09 until 10:13. The eclipse ends at 11:31. After viewing the phenomenon we will explore the site and have lunch before we spend the afternoon learning about the craft of mosaics in a workshop where we will have the chance to create our own pieces, perhaps taking inspiration from the many mosaics we have seen so far on the trip.
Day 6 El Jem - Tozeur: Desert Salt Flats
Day 6 El Jem - Tozeur: Desert Salt Flats
This morning we head south to the desert stopping first of all at Matmata. Here we will explore the troglodyte dwellings and visit a local home where we will learn more about the homes, and enjoy a demonstration and tea. We will then leave the hilly landscape and drive through a barren landscape of sandy desert en route to the desert town of Douz. The final part of our journey to Sahara Desert in the oasis town of Tozeur will be through the surreal salt lake landscapes of Chott El Jerid. Covering over 7,000 square kilometres, these enormous salt flats are the largest in the Sahara and daytime temperatures here can reach over 48°C!
Driving time approx. 6 hours
*Please note tonight may involve splitting the group between two hotels, depending on availability and group size.
Day 7 Tozeur: Ancient City & Oasis Villages
Day 7 Tozeur: Ancient City & Oasis Villages
Surrounded by oases and date palms, Tozeur was the site of the ancient city and former bishopric of Tusuros, before the arrival of Islam in the 7th century. With a full day to explore the town and its environs, we plan to take a 4WD jeep safari out to the oasis villages of Chebika, Tamerza and Mides this morning. Along the way, we will stop at Date Oasis for lunch and a demonstration of the local cuisine. In Chebika, we will do a short walk in the surrounding hills. The terrain is rocky with some ups and downs. Returning to the city this afternoon, we will explore the old town, taking in the narrow streets and geometric brickwork so common to this region.
*Please note tonight may involve splitting the group between two hotels, depending on availability and group size.
Due to the FCDO advising against all but essential travel within 10km of the Tunisia-Algeria border south of Kasserine Governorate, we may not be able to do the planned visit to Chebika, Tamerza, and Mides. If the travel advisory remains in place, the group will instead drive to Ong Jmel Valley to visit the Star Wars film set of Mos Espa before exploring the nearby town of Nefta. We will then return to Tozeur for lunch followed by a walk through the oasis to the Old Town.
Day 8 Tozeur – Kairouan: Sweet Pastries and Old City
Day 8 Tozeur – Kairouan: Sweet Pastries and Old City
This morning we set off for Kairouan, stopping to visit the National Museum of Islamic Art en route in Raqqada. Arriving in Kairouan for lunch we will then have the opportunity to learn how to make makroud, a delicious sweet pastry traditionally filled with dates, in a demonstration led by a local woman in her workshop. Another World Heritage recipient, Kairouan was founded by the Umayyads in the 7th century and went on to become an important centre for Sunni and Quranic learning. In the evening, we'll head to a local carpet shop where we will have the chance to see carpets being made, and a perfect opportunity to take one home as a reminder of your time in Tunisia, if you wish.
Driving time: approx. 5 hours
Day 9 Kairouan – Monastir: Forts & Medinas of the Mediterranean
Day 9 Kairouan – Monastir: Forts & Medinas of the Mediterranean
We’ll pay visits to its Great Mosque, Barber Mausoleum in Kairouan before we head to the Mediterranean coast and the coastal town of Sousse which is home to a large walled medina that has been inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage list and represents one of the earliest examples of Islamic construction in the Maghreb region. After visiting Sousse, we will lunch at a local restaurant and travel on to Monastir to explore the city. Founded on the ruins of a Punic-Roman city, Monastir is home to a well-preserved ribat (fort) and the imposing mausoleum of Habib Bourguiba, Tunisia’s first president.
Day 10 Monastir - Tunis: Journey along the Mediterranean Coast
Day 10 Monastir - Tunis: Journey along the Mediterranean Coast
This morning we will travel north along the coast heading back to Tunis. The tour ends at Carthage Airport in time for the suggested group flight.
**Please refer to the GETTING THERE section for details of these. If you are arranging flights outside of these suggested flights or are looking to extend your time in Tunisia, please contact us for further information.
ACCOMMODATION USED ON THIS TOUR
Hotel Dar Said, Tunis
The hotel is beautifully situated overlooking the village Sidi Bou Said and the Mediterranean sea. Set across traditional courtyards each of the rooms is light and airy with a blend of western and oriental decor. Facilities include an outdoor swimming pool and hammam and on site restaurant.
Dar Alyssa, Le Kef
Located in the centre of the city, Dar Alyssa is a small family run establishment with neat, clean rooms. The pretty courtyard is home to a small pool for summer days and in the winter fires blaze in the hearths, Meals are an event at Dar Alyssa with hearty dinners and breakfasts consisting of local cuisine.
Hotel Julius, El Jem
Located in the heart of historic El Jem, Hotel Julius offers simplistic accommodation, with a wonderful location, situated opposite the roman amphitheatre. The 37 double rooms offer comfortable accommodations. All the rooms are equipped with modern facilities including plasma screen televisions, hair dryers, and individual air-conditioning. In addition, the hotel has a small garden, shared lounge and a sun terrace with swimming pool.
Dar Nejma, Tozeur
In the heart of the medina behind tall walls, Dar Nejma is a small oasis of calm. Each of the individually decorated suites is typical of the region with earthy colours and traditional architecture. The two courtyards are filled with vegetation and one is also home to a swimming pool and the restaurant serves local cuisine.
Hotel La Kasbah, Kairouan
Hotel La Kasbah, located in the heart of the walled city of of Kairouan, offers a welcoming atmosphere and historic charm. Each of the rooms are decorated with classic interiors, and offer standard modern conveniences, including air conditioning, satellite television and en suite bathrooms. There are two restaurants on site, as well as an outdoor pool and Hammam.
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Accommodation displayed here should be taken as a guide only. *Please refer to the Detailed Itinerary of your individual departure for more information.
PRIVATE HOLIDAYS: DATES DON’T FIT?
All group tours can be taken on a private basis.
Additional Details
Events
Total Solar Eclipse
On 2nd August 2027, North Africa and parts of the Middle East will witness a rare and spectacular total solar eclipse, with up to 6 minutes and 23 seconds of total darkness—making it the longest eclipse visible from land this century. As the moon completely covers the sun, daylight will turn to twilight, stars may become visible and the sun’s corona will glow in the sky. This dramatic celestial event will be visible across much of the region, with ideal viewing conditions expected due to the region’s typically dry summer climate.Responsible Travel
With local people, culture and eco-systems in mind, responsible travel and sustainable tourism are at the core of Wild Frontiers. We believe that a successful trip not only delivers a unique and unsurpassable journey for our travellers but also benefits the people and places we visit.
When designing our tours, we actively seek out experiences that have a positive impact on the communities and precious environments we visit - from supporting social enterprises; resting our heads in rural homestays; and eating at locally owned restaurants; to helping fund conservation projects that protect wildlife and their habitats.
Visit the Responsible Travel area of our website to read more, including the work of the Wild Frontiers Foundation through which we fundraise to aid community empowerment and education projects.
Reducing Single Use Plastic
We recognise the environmental issues and challenges around single-use plastic in many countries we visit and are actively working with our partners on the ground to reduce plastic waste on our tours and within the hotels and restaurants we visit. You can help to reduce your personal plastic waste by taking a refillable, filtered water bottle with you on your trip. Filtered water bottles can be refilled from water sources including your hotel room and restaurant taps, drinking fountains and refill stations. Every time you refill your bottle without the use of single-use plastic, you will be helping to reduce waste and protect the environment. Filtered Water Bottles | Wild Frontiers (wildfrontierstravel.com)
Getting There
If you would like us to send you a quote for the suggested tour flights or on any alternative flight that may suit you better, please let us know, noting that for our US clients, we will most likely refer you to one of our preferred partners. For this trip our suggested flights from the UK (subject to change) are shown below.
Please note the below flights depart from London Heathrow (LHR) and arrive into London Gatwick (LGW).
If you wish to arrange your own flights you are completely free to do so and in this case we can arrange any transfers or supplementary accommodation that you may require. However please note that if you are planning on making your own flight arrangements, we recommend that you first check with us to see if the trip is guaranteed. We then suggest that you purchase flights that are flexible and ideally refundable as due to the nature of adventure travel, itineraries and destination accessibility can change at any time. For more information, please refer to our booking conditions.
| Flight Code | Departing | Arriving |
|---|---|---|
| TU 791 |
London Heathrow (LHR) 17:50
29th July 2027 |
Carthage Airport (TUN) 20:45
29th July 2027 |
| TU 792 |
Carthage Airport (TUN) 13:45
7th August 2027 |
London Gatwick (LGW) 16:30
7th August 2027 |
Visas & Vaccinations
VISAS
Visas are necessary for many of the destinations we travel to and while we aim to provide you with the most up-to-date information, requirements frequently change and as such for the latest advice we advise that you check with the relevant embassies or contact a reputable visa agency. More details can be found here - https://www.wildfrontierstravel.com/visa
For this tour UK passport holders currently do not require a visa for Tunisia.
Passports should ideally be valid for a minimum period of 6 months from the end of your tour.
Non-UK passport holders or non-UK residents should contact the relevant embassies for individual requirements.
VACCINATIONS & ADDITIONAL TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS
There are no mandatory vaccination requirements for travellers to Tunisia.
For all destinations, please make sure you are up-to-date with any standard vaccinations (e.g. MMR, Hepatitis A, Tetanus) as recommended by your local health care provider.
For the most up-to-date information on all vaccination requirements and the most suitable anti-malarial tablets, we strongly suggest that you seek advice from your local travel centre or consult an official travel health website such as www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk or www.travelhealthpro.org.uk
Covid Testing: No mandatory testing is currently required for vaccinated or unvaccinated travellers.
If necessary further details will be sent out to you upon booking, however ensuring that correct and valid visas & vaccinations are obtained remains the sole responsibility of the client.
Extensions
If you have more time available, why not arrive early to adjust to a new time zone or just to get a feel for the country before your tour starts? Alternatively, you might choose to allow a few extra days after the tour to relax or to undertake some further exploration.
The choice is completely yours and we can usually arrange anything from simply additional accommodation and transfers to full tailor-made itineraries*. Please contact the office for more details and to discuss your requirements.
*Please note bespoke, tailor-made itineraries need to be a minimum of 7 days and we can only offer them in countries where we have a tailor-made expert
Algeria: Crossroads Of The Maghreb
Why not consider combining this tour with Algeria: Crossroads Of The Maghreb which often has dates which connect conveniently? This remarkable journey takes you into the heart of Algeria as you journey from the shores of the Mediterranean to the Grand Erg Occidental. Allow 12-15 daysGovernmental Travel Advice
Many governments issue advice which highlights potential hazards their citizens might experience when travelling abroad. We strongly suggest you refer to your country’s particular advisory site before booking and contact us if you have any queries or concerns. Click to follow links to the advice of the British Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) or the US State Department.
Please note that the FCDO currently advise against all but essential travel to areas within 10km of the Tunisia-Algeria border south of Kasserine Governorate, which may affect the visit to the oasis villages of Tamerza, Chebika, and Mides on Day 7. If this travel advisory is still in place for your departure, alternative plans will be put in place. Kindly refer to Day 6 of the itinerary for further information.
Non-UK citizens should consult the travel advice of their respective governments.
Key Information
CLIMATE
In July and August Tunisia experiences its hottest and driest weather of the year. Coastal areas typically see daytime temperatures between 30°C and 36°C, with some humidity from the Mediterranean Sea. In contrast, the interior and southern desert regions can become extremely hot, often reaching 40°C to 45°C or higher, with little to no rainfall. Skies are usually clear and sunshine is abundant.
IS THIS TRIP FOR ME?
It may sound obvious, but not all Wild Frontiers tours are the same, and it is important that you choose a tour which is suitable for you. To help you decide and ensure you choose a suitable tour, please refer to our helpful guide here. As a minimum, you should make sure that you read the day-by-day itinerary and the Key Aspects to Consider sections carefully. Should you still have any concerns about your ability to partake in any aspect of the tour, then please contact us.
KEY ASPECTS TO CONSIDER
Anyone in a reasonable state of health, with an open mind and a sense of adventure should be perfectly able to cope with this tour, however, please note:
On day 6, we will do a short walk in the area surrounding Chebika. It is an easy walk but there are some ups and downs and the ground is rocky underfoot.
The summer weather will be hot ranging from 30°C to possibly 45°C. Rainfall is rare so it will be a dry heat but expect hot days and warm nights.
Vegetarians can be catered for but the selection and variety can be very limited in places, especially in the Sahara region. People with specific dietary requirements should consider such limitations carefully and we would suggest you discuss your needs with us before booking this tour.
THE NATURE OF ADVENTURE TRAVEL
We feel that it’s worth pointing out that while we will always strive to stick as close to the stated itinerary as possible, it may be necessary from time to time to make changes to our itineraries or services (due to weather, political and religious influences etc.) and this can happen with little or no notice. This unpredictability can be one of the most exciting aspects of adventure travel and for many of our clients often leads to unexpected highlights as the tour-leader necessarily adapts the tour to the changing conditions. However we are aware that this lack of assuredness may not suit everyone. As such, with the greatest respect, if you are someone who needs to know that everything will happen exactly as planned, we would kindly suggest that perhaps our tours are not for you. Adventure travel can be infectious and once you’ve caught the bug, it is likely to never leave you, but especially if this is your first such tour we would strongly urge you to give us a call if you have any concerns whatsoever about your suitability for this trip.
TRAVELLING SOLO AND SINGLE SUPPLEMENTS
As a company approximately 70% of our clients are solo travellers, so it’s very unlikely you’ll be alone!
Our prices are typically based on twin-share accommodation but single supplements are not compulsory for any Wild Frontiers tour. If you prefer not to pay a single supplement we’ll pair you with someone else of the same sex for you to share with throughout the trip.
On this trip, if you do opt to pay for a single supplement then please note that it will cover you for all nights of the tour except at Le Kef and Monastir.
Please note that paying a single supplement entitles you to lone occupancy of a single room/tent. In many cases these rooms will be of the same size as a double/twin room, but in some cases they may be smaller.
INSURANCE
Insurance that provides cover for emergency repatriation in case of a medical emergency is compulsory for all tours. You should be aware that due to some of the geographical areas visited and some of the activities included on certain of our trips some standard insurance policies may not always provide adequate cover. As such we strongly recommend that you purchase a policy that adequately covers your trip. Please see the Insurance section for more details.
General Information
TOUR PRICE
All our tours are priced on a land-only basis, giving you maximum flexibility when deciding how to get to and from your tour.
DEPOSIT
A 10% deposit is required to confirm your booking.
PROTECTION FOR YOUR MONEY
For further details please see our travelling with peace of mind page
WILD MILES
This tour will earn you 2268 Wild Miles
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
We believe in a completely transparent approach to pricing with no hidden extras. As such, please note that the following are not included in the cost of the tour.
Visas & Travel Insurance: Visas will always be tour/nationality dependent but travel insurance is mandatory
Tips: Always optional but some guidance will be given in the pre-departure information documents
International Flights: Please ask us for an obligation-free quote for flights which originate in the UK
Airport Transfers: We include complimentary transfers if arriving/departing on the suggested group flights
Beverages & any costs of a personal nature: This will include items such as laundry and souvenirs
WILD FRONTIERS COMMUNITY
If you’re still not sure if this trip is right or just want to see get some different perspectives, then why not have a look at the wide variety of resources we have on our website? Browse our community section to read our blogs, watch videos and find out about our events.
WHY WILD FRONTIERS?
We are frequently asked what makes Wild Frontiers different from other tour operators. Visit our Why Wild Frontiers page to find out.