Southern Tunisie presents a wealth of attractions waiting to be discovered. Beyond its cultural treasures—including ksour fortified villages and the troglodyte dwellings of Matmata—the region showcases unique natural wonders. Among these, Chott El Jerid stands as an unmissable destination. It is the largest salt plain or sebkha in the country and across the Maghreb region, stretching across nearly 5,000 km² of surface area, between desert and mountains. This singular crossing awaits you during a journey from Tozeur to Kebili, spanning roughly one hundred kilometers from east to west. The salt expanse extends eastward to Chott el-Fejaj. It sits in a synclinal depression, at an elevation of 15 to 20 meters above sea level.

A Brief Geological History of Chott El Jerid

During prehistoric times, Chott El Jerid was a permanent lake. You can still find fossilized shells scattered across its surface, bearing witness to this ancient period. This lake was transformed into a barren plain through climatic and geological evolution. Thus, this "sebkha" is nothing more than the result of the improbable and striking union of water, sand, salt and wind.

Traversing Chott El Jerid

This vast salt plain will astound you with its sheer expanse! Beneath the sun's rays, salt crystals glimmer like diamonds. When rare rains visit this region, an infinite mirror spreads before your eyes. In summer, luminosity merges with the whiteness of dried salt crystals to produce authentic mirages to behold—a visual phenomenon tied to desert legend.

To avoid losing your way, stay close to the road that winds through this lunar landscape. This striking scenery has served as filming location for celebrated feature films such as "The English Patient" and select episodes of "Star Wars."

Across the salt deposits of this desert plain, you'll also have the opportunity to explore an ecological reserve enabling you to observe pre-Saharan fauna and flora.

What to Do Around Chott El Jerid?

During a visit to Chott El Jerid, you can venture to Tamerza, a mountain oasis situated 70 km from Tozeur, near the Algerian border. It is, in a sense, embedded within a rugged and wild zone. There you will admire cascades of clear water that feed streams to irrigate the palm grove. Luxurious accommodation is available to ensure a pleasant stay before launching into a desert escapade. Should your visit coincide with spring, don't miss the Tamerza Festival to immerse yourself in the culture and traditions of Berber populations.

You can also continue to Debebcha, a magnificent spot at the edge of the salt lake offering a unique landscape of petrified sand. This journey leads you to a geometric hot spring and discovery of the water-cooling system used for irrigation in several Saharan oases of the region.

Approximately 10 km from Chott El Jerid, Chebika, a mountain oasis, enchants you in the heart of the desert. Clinging to the flanks of desolate cliffs, this splendid village near the Algerian frontier offers magical scenery with ocre-colored sand and gypsum or orange-hued rock mountains surrounding it. It is the most beautiful oasis in Tunisie! Water, an essential element of every Tunisian village, is present here in the form of springs, which favors the growth of its palm grove. This grove represents a major attraction and endows the village with authentic charm. The old local dwellings are built of stone and earth while recent constructions are more modern, fashioned with concrete blocks further down the hillside. As you enjoy refreshing walks through its palm grove, children will chase after you and rose-of-the-desert vendors improvise as guides.