Tunisian Sahara Oases Road Trip

Overview

Taking your own car from the Netherlands to the edge of the Sahara is an unforgettable European-to-African overland journey. Once across the Mediterranean, southern Tunisia boasts smooth, scenic paved roads connecting lush date-palm oases, dramatic gorge canyons, subterranean Berber towns, and the vast dunes of the Grand Erg Oriental. This 12-day round-trip itinerary (incorporating the ferry crossing) is paced for families, offering an exciting blend of culture, history, natural wonders, and iconic film landscapes.

Getting There

• Route: Drive south through Belgium, France, and northern Italy to the ferry port of Genoa (approx. 1,150–1,250 km from the Netherlands, about 12–14 driving hours, ideally broken with an overnight stay in Switzerland or northern Italy). Alternatively, sail from Marseille (approx. 1,200 km).
• Ferry Crossing: Board an overnight car ferry (operated by Grandi Navi Veloci or CTN) from Genoa or Marseille directly to the port of La Goulette (Tunis). Sailing time is roughly 21 to 24 hours. Book a private four-berth cabin for a restful family voyage.
• Driving in Tunisia: From Tunis, modern multi-lane toll highways (Autoroute A1) connect swiftly down toward Gabès and Sfax before branching inland on well-maintained regional roads (P3, P16, P20) into the desert.

Day-by-day

Day 1: Drive from the Netherlands to Northern Italy

• Depart early from the Netherlands and drive south through Germany/France and Switzerland towards northern Italy.
• Break the journey with family rest stops along the Swiss lakes.
• Overnight near Milan or Genoa.

Day 2: Ferry Departure from Genoa to Tunis

• Drive to the Port of Genoa, complete customs formalities, and embark with your car on the overnight ferry to Tunis.
• Settle into your family cabin; relax on deck watching the Mediterranean sunset.

Day 3: Arrival in Tunis & Drive South to Kairouan

• Arrive at La Goulette Port in Tunis around midday; complete vehicle import paperwork.
• Take highway A1 south toward Kairouan (approx. 2 hours / 160 km), the historic spiritual capital.
• Stroll through the Medina and admire the monumental Great Mosque of Kairouan.

Day 4: Kairouan to Tozeur via Sbeitla

• Drive west and south through central Tunisia toward the Sahara.
• Stop at Sbeitla (Sufetula) to explore stunning, uncrowded Roman temples that kids can wander freely.
• Arrive in Tozeur, the primary oasis gateway, surrounded by hundreds of thousands of date palms.

Day 5: Mountain Oases & Desert Canyons (Chebika, Tamerza, Midès)

• Take an excursion north into the dramatic Atlas foothills bordering Algeria.
• Walk the rocky paths to the natural spring and waterfall in Chebika.
• Marvel at the breathtaking river gorge and abandoned mud-brick ruins in Midès.
• Return to Tozeur for a relaxed afternoon wandering the brick-patterned Old Town (Ouled el-Hadef).

Day 6: Chott el Djerid Salt Lake to Douz

• Drive across the mesmerizing Chott el Djerid, a massive salt pan spanning over 5,000 square kilometres. Stop midway at roadside lookouts to spot shimmering mirages.
• Arrive in Douz, known as the "Gateway to the Sahara."
• Treat the kids to a late-afternoon camel trek or dune walk as the sun sinks beneath the rolling sand ridges.

Day 7: Desert Oasis of Ksar Ghilane

• Drive along the asphalt desert highway to Ksar Ghilane, an oasis fed by a thermal spring surrounded by golden sand dunes.
• Swim in the naturally warm pool under the shade of palm trees.
• Take a guided 4x4 or quad ride to the ancient Roman outpost fort of Tisavar.

Day 8: The Ksour & Troglodyte Villages (Tataouine to Matmata)

• Head northeast into the rugged Dahar mountains.
• Explore the multi-tiered fortified granaries (ksour), such as Ksar Ouled Soltane and Ksar Hadada.
• Continue into Matmata, famous for its subterranean courtyard homes carved out of the earth by indigenous Berber families.

Day 9: Matmata to El Jem Amphitheatre & the Mediterranean Coast

• Drive north toward the Mediterranean coast.
• Visit the colossal Amphitheatre of El Jem, a UNESCO World Heritage site almost as large as the Colosseum in Rome, where children can explore underground animal chambers and climb the upper tiers.
• Continue north to Sousse or Hammamet for an evening seaside dinner.

Day 10: Carthage, Sidi Bou Said & Evening Ferry

• Drive to Tunis's northern coast; explore the blue-and-white cliffside village of Sidi Bou Said and the Roman ruins of ancient Carthage.
• Proceed to the port of La Goulette in the late afternoon to board the overnight ferry back to Italy.

Day 11: Sea Crossing to Genoa

• Spend a relaxing day sailing across the Mediterranean with full onboard restaurant and lounge facilities.
• Disembark in Genoa in the evening and stay overnight near the Italian/Swiss border.

Day 12: Return Drive to the Netherlands

• Complete the northbound drive back home through Switzerland/Germany to the Netherlands.

Where to Stay

• Genoa/Milan (Transit): Family-friendly motorway hotels with secure parking for an early ferry check-in.
• Tozeur: Traditional guesthouses (dars) or family resort hotels featuring lush courtyards and swimming pools located near the palm groves.
• Douz & Ksar Ghilane: Bedouin-style desert camps with private family tents, or small oasis lodges at the dune edge.
• Matmata: Authentic troglodyte cave hotels where rooms are hollowed directly into the cool sandstone ground.
• Northern Coast / Tunis: Coastal boutique hotels in Sidi Bou Said or family beach resorts near Gammarth.

Budget

• Ferry (Round-trip): €800–€1,400 (car + 4-berth private cabin for a family of 4, depending on booking season).
• Fuel & European Tolls: €400–€550 (approx. 2,500–3,000 km total driving across Europe and Tunisia).
• Accommodation: €70–€140 per night for family rooms and desert camp tents (~€650–€1,100 total for land nights).
• Food & Dining: €40–€75 per day for a family (Tunisian dining offers fantastic value, with fresh flatbreads, couscous, and tagines).
• Sightseeing & Activities: €150–€250 (camel rides, entry to El Jem and Roman sites, oasis park fees).
• Estimated Total: Approximately €2,200–€3,500 for a family of four.

Know Before You Go

• Vehicle Paperwork: You must carry your original vehicle registration document (kentekenbewijs), an International Insurance Motor Card (Green Card) explicitly valid for Tunisia (code 'TN'), and an International Driving Permit. At Tunisian customs, you will receive a temporary vehicle import permit (Diptyque/Passavant); keep this safe as it is checked on departure.
• Visas: EU/Dutch passport holders can enter Tunisia visa-free for tourism stays up to 90 days.
• Driving Conditions: Main south routes (P3, P16, C211) are paved and fully drivable in a standard 2WD family car. Avoid driving off-road deep into unpaved sand dunes without a dedicated 4x4 and a licensed local desert guide.
• Navigation & Currency: Download offline maps (such as Maps.me or Google Offline Maps) beforehand, as desert mobile coverage can drop between towns. Tunisian Dinars (TND) cannot be imported or exported legally; withdraw local currency at airport/port ATMs upon arrival. Keep small cash notes for fuel and village markets.