Major city · Tunisia
Ksar Ghilaneقصر غيلان
One night in a desert camp is enough: swim in the hot spring, ride a camel or quad, see the Roman fort and the Leclerc column. A day trip from Douz is tight (2 h each way).
Ksar Ghilane is the southernmost Tunisian oasis, a palm-fringed stop on the edge of the Grand Erg Oriental. Its draw is the hot-spring pool, a small Roman fort, and a handful of tent camps that offer camel rides, quad biking and silence. Most travellers use it as a one-night desert camp between Douz and Tataouine or as a half-day swim stop.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- TND
- Best months
- Oct–Apr
- avoid Jul–Aug (extreme heat, over 45°C (113°F))avoid Jul–Aug (extreme heat, over 113°F (45°C))
- Airports
- DJE · TOE
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- North Africa ↗Plan links between North African countries by air or by ferry via Europe; the only regularly usable land borders for visitors are Tunisia–Algeria and Morocco–Mauritania via Western Sahara.
- North Africa ↗Book Saharan nights (dunes, desert camps, oasis tours) between October and April; from May to September desert day temperatures regularly exceed 40 °C and many tours stop.
- Tunisia ↗Check entry rules for your passport with official Tunisian government sources or your nearest consulate; visa exemptions depend on nationality.
- Tunisia ↗The Tunisian dinar is a closed currency: it cannot legally be taken in or out; exchange on arrival and keep receipts to change leftovers back.
- Tunisia ↗Do not bring a drone without prior authorisation; they are confiscated at customs.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Ksar Ghilane197 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Ksar Ghilane, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Tunisian dinar (TND).Tunisia-wide
- SIM or eSIMcheckOoredoo, Orange and Tunisie Telecom sell SIMs at airports and shops with a passport; 10–20 GB for about TND 20–40 — check.Tunisia-wide
- Tap waterTap water is treated but tastes of chlorine; most drink bottled.Tunisia-wide
- TippingRestaurant: About 10%.Tunisia-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/E. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Tunisia-wide
- SafetyKsar Ghilane is safe for tourists; the main risks are heatstroke in summer, sunburn and dehydration.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern in hotels; squat in older cafés; carry tissue.Tunisia-wide
- Emergency numbers197 police · 190 ambulance (samu) · 198 fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidayscheckFriday afternoons are slower; museums often close Mondays (check).Tunisia-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckDJE Djerba–Zarzis International (About 2.5 h drive; check for charter flights.).
- Getting aroundThe oasis is walkable on foot.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Sit-down mealDinner at camp (set menu)checkTND 20–30
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi from Douz to Ksar Ghilane (one way)check; negotiate before departureTND 80–100
- Budget bedShared Berber tent (dormitory), a night, per personTND 40
- Mid-range bedPrivate Berber tent (double), a night, per roomTND 150
- High-end bedPrivate Berber tent (double), a night, per roomTND 250
A day, not counting the bed: Budget TND 80 · Mid TND 180 · High TND 350
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- DJE Djerba–Zarzis International (About 2.5 h drive; check for charter flights.) · TOE Tozeur–Nefta International (About 2.5 h drive; limited flights.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Feb
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Mar
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Apr
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
May
not flagged
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Jun
not flagged
39°C (102°F)102°F (39°C)
Jul
Avoid
42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)
Aug
Avoid
41°C (106°F)106°F (41°C)
Sep
not flagged
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
Oct
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Nov
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Dec
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Best: Oct–Apr. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)), coolest Jan (5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C) low), wettest Mar (3 rain days), driest Jun (0). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Ksar Ghilane: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
2 rd
Feb
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
2 rd
Mar
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
3 rd
Apr
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
2 rd
May
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
1 rd
Jun
39°C (102°F)102°F (39°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
0 rd
Jul
42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
0 rd
Aug
41°C (106°F)106°F (41°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
0 rd
Sep
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
1 rd
Oct
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
2 rd
Nov
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
2 rd
Dec
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
2 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The oasis is walkable on foot. Camps arrange transfers from the parking area. For the Leclerc Column, it is a 1 km walk east from the fort.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: 2 h
Paved road, about 2 h by car
Douz has the Sahara Museum and the weekly camel market (Thursday).
Door to door: 1.5 h
Paved road via Ghomrassen, about 1.5 h by car
Base for the ksour (granaries) and Star Wars film sets.
Door to door: 1.5 h
Paved road, about 1.5 h by car
Troglodyte houses and the Hotel Sidi Driss (Star Wars set).
Jebil National Park
cautionDoor to door: 45 min
4×4 from Ksar Ghilane, about 45 min
Requires a guide and a 4×4; arrange through your camp.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Desert camps around the oasis
All are tent camps with shared facilities; book ahead in season.
Ksar Ghilane Hotel (luxury tents)
The only hotel-style option; 60 air-conditioned tents with en-suite bathrooms.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- TND 80–120 excl. bed
- Mid
- TND 150–250 excl. bed
- High
- TND 300+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Private Berber tent (double)1 × 1 night × TND 150 | TND 150 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × TND 180 | TND 360 |
| Camel ride (1 h)2 × TND 40 · check | TND 80 |
| Quad bike (1 h)2 × TND 80 · check | TND 160 |
| Dinner at camp (set menu)2 × TND 25 · check | TND 50 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | TND 80 |
| Trip total≈ TND 440 per person per day, bed included | TND 880 |
check
2026 estimate in Tunisian dinars; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Camel ride (1 h)check | TND 40–60 |
| Quad bike (1 h)check | TND 80–120 |
| Dinner at camp (set menu)check | TND 20–30 |
| Bottle of water (1.5 L) | TND 1–2 |
| Taxi from Douz to Ksar Ghilane (one way)check; negotiate before departure | TND 80–100 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No ATM in Ksar Ghilane: bring enough cash (TND) for the whole stay.
- The hot spring is a communal pool; bring a swimsuit and sandals.
- Quad and motorbike tours can be noisy; ask your camp about quiet hours.
- Last fuel stop before the desert: fill up in Douz or Matmata.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 197
- Ambulance (SAMU)
- 190
- Fire
- 198
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Ksar Ghilaneقصر غيلان
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
إلى هذا العنوان، من فضلكTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police197
- Ambulance (SAMU)190
- Fire198
Embassy
The US embassy is in Tunis; most other embassies are in Tunis. No consulate in the south.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Douz → Ksar Ghilane by taxi: about TND 80–100, about 2 h (check)
- Ksar Ghilane → Tataouine by taxi: about TND 70–90, about 1.5 h (check)
Say or show
- السلام عليكم — Hello (as-salamu alaykum)
- شكراً — Thank you (shukran)
- قداش؟ — How much? (qaddash?)
- نعم / لا — Yes / No (naam / la)
- بسلامة — Goodbye (bislema)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Ksar Ghilane. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Oct–Apr · avoid Jul–Aug (extreme heat, over 45°C) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Camp pages with verified amenities (hot water, dinner time, generator hours).
- Quad and camel tour operators with price lists and safety gear checks.
- Hot spring pool hours and temperature (check).
- Leclerc Column access: walkable or 4×4 track (check).
Sources
Ask about Ksar Ghilane
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