Douz Travel Guide

Douz is an oasis town in southern Tunisia, south of the Chott el-Djerid salt lake, right on the true edge of the Sahara, known as the gateway to the Sahara — just outside town lies the endless golden Sahara dune sea, a classic and pure starting point for experiencing the desert and launching a desert adventure, best in the cool season Oct-Apr (avoid the scorching midsummer, up to 42°C). Douz itself is a quiet date-palm oasis, its charm entirely bound to the near sand sea behind it: ride a dromedary camel with bells ringing slowly into the golden dunes (most majestic and romantic at sunrise/sunset), bash dunes in a 4x4, try sandboarding, or camp overnight in a dune camp and gaze up at the Sahara's light-pollution-free, breathtakingly brilliant starry sky. Every winter it also hosts the Sahara International Festival (camel races and folk performances).