OFF-ROAD-TOURS · TUNISIA
Tunisia 4x4 New Year’s Sahara Tour — 15 Days
This 15-day guided 4x4 tour takes you from Genoa by overnight ferry to Tunisia and south through the Sahara over New Year’s Eve. The route runs from Tunis through Hammamet, Gafsa, and Tozeur, then onto the Chott el Djerid salt lake, Douz, and deep into the desert toward Tembaine and Ksar Ghilane.
The Journey
New Year’s Eve in the Desert — Guided Expedition
Southern Tunisia in late December runs on a different clock. Days are mild — 15 to 22°C — and the Chott el Djerid, the dune fields around Douz, and the thermal springs at Ksar Ghilane are all on the route, along with several days off the mobile network.
Overnight ferry from Genoa to Tunis, then south through Hammamet and Gafsa until pavement gives way to desert tracks. A support vehicle travels with you. Local Sahara guides join for the deep desert stage. A Tunisian cook handles meals in the field. New Year’s Eve lands in open desert — no venue, no countdown, no noise except the fire.
Key Highlights of the Trip
Key Highlights of the Trip
Tunisia
Tunisia keeps its Sahara routes accessible but honest. The south opens into salt lakes, dune fields, and palm oases that connect across days of driving. In December, the desert light is clear and temperatures stay workable — cold at night, warm by midday.
Genoa and the Mediterranean Crossing
The convoy forms up at Genoa port for the pre-departure briefing. After check-in, everyone boards the overnight ferry — roughly 22 to 24 hours to Tunis. The crossing is a natural transition point: first conversations with other drivers, cabin assignments, and time to go over gear. The next morning, the group rolls off the ship in Tunis and heads south.
Hammamet, Gafsa, and Tozeur
The first driving days follow asphalt and back roads through central Tunisia — mountain ranges, fertile valleys, and the landscape shifting drier as you move south. Tozeur is the oasis base: local markets, palm groves, and the last proper resupply before the desert. First off-road sections ease the group into the terrain and give the guide a read on each vehicle before the harder stages ahead.
Chott el Djerid and Douz
The convoy crosses the Chott el Djerid — a salt lake the size of a small sea, flat and white — via the northern or southern causeway depending on conditions. Douz sits on the far side: the last town before the open desert, known as the gateway to the Sahara. Supplies are topped off, vehicles checked, and the group prepares for several days away from infrastructure.
Questions about the tour itinerary?
Our tour guide is happy to answer any questions about the day-by-day route, stops, and details.
Deep Sahara: Dunes and Oases
The desert stage runs across sandy tracks, first dune fields, and wide plains toward Tembaine and Ksar Ghilane. Local Sahara guides join the convoy here. The driving requires teamwork — recovery equipment comes out, shovels work, and the group finds its rhythm on sand. At the thermal spring oasis of Ksar Ghilane, palm groves and warm water mark a hard-earned pause before the route pushes deeper into the dunes.
New Year’s Eve in the Desert
The turn of the year happens somewhere between dune ridges and open desert — no venue, no countdown, no noise. The group camps in a remote section of the Sahara, temperatures dropping to 2–8°C after dark. A fire, the convoy, and a sky with no light competition. January 1st begins in the same silence. The Sahara Festival runs nearby, date-dependent; the guide advises on timing.
Matmata and Return to Genoa
The route north passes through the Matmata mountain landscape — Berber cave houses, oasis towns, and terrain that changes character quickly as altitude rises. A final hotel night in the coastal region gives the group a proper shower and a last meal together before the drive to Tunis port. The overnight ferry back to Genoa closes the loop. Fifteen days from the first briefing to the last handshake at the harbor.
Want a detailed description of all tour days?
Our expert will walk you through the full itinerary and answer all your questions.
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Trip includes
- All overnight stays — 2 hotel nights (shared double room) plus campgrounds and wild camps
- Breakfast and dinner from the expedition kitchen
- Tunisian cook during the desert stage
- Tolls in Tunisia
- Support and accompanying vehicle
- Technical assistance and vehicle repair support
- All permits
- Local Sahara guides during the desert stage
- Radio communication devices
- Travel security certificate (Insolvency protection per §651r paragraph 4 BGB)
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An international license is not officially required in Tunisia with an EU license, but it doesn’t hurt to bring one.
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Vehicle registration, an international insurance card (Tunisia/TN must not be crossed out), and — if you’re not the registered owner — a notarized power of attorney in French. Border insurance is available at port for approximately €50–60 if needed.
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Tunisia’s gas station network is good, so large reserves aren’t necessary. A small reserve canister is useful as a backup in case another vehicle loses fuel on a remote section.
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Expect 4–6 hours of driving time on most days, plus breaks, photo stops, and briefings. Desert stages vary based on terrain and conditions.
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Any vehicle-specific tools, especially for lockable wheel nuts. Spare fuses are always useful. You should be equipped to change a tire on your own without external help.
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No. Tunisian Dinar cannot be imported or exported. Exchange euros at the hotel on arrival — the rate is good. Credit cards work at banks and gas stations. Keep a few hundred euros cash as backup. Never exchange more than you need; Dinars cannot be converted back.
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NYE is peak season for the Genoa–Tunis ferry — many Tunisians return home for the holidays. Crossings sell out early and prices rise. Booking through Overcross gives access to group rates lower than booking independently.
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Guides bring the expedition kitchen. Cooking and cleanup are shared as a group. During the desert stage, a Tunisian cook joins and handles meals in the field. Food preferences are accommodated where possible.
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The tour suits drivers with off-road experience. Sand passages, recoveries, and deep tracks are part of it — all supervised by the guide. Two or more years of 4x4 experience recommended.
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A spare air filter and a full-size spare tire (not an emergency tire) are strongly recommended. Any part you carry never breaks — anything you leave behind might.
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Yes. Venomous animals exist in Tunisia but are rarely encountered, especially in winter when they’re largely inactive. Standard first aid covers what you’re likely to need.
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Sahara temperatures in late December run 15–22°C during the day and 2–8°C at night. A warm sleeping bag and layered clothing are essential for wild camping nights.
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Yes. The convoy camps in remote dune and desert areas with no infrastructure. The group is self-sufficient and leaves every site as found.
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A capable off-road 4x4 in good technical condition. Low-range gearing and appropriate tires strongly recommended. A detailed vehicle and packing checklist is sent before departure.
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Yes. Rental 4x4 options are available through Overcross depending on availability — contact us for models, equipment, and pricing for your departure.
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No reception for several days during the desert stage. The convoy stays connected via radio; the guide handles navigation and communication.
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You drive in convoy. Navigation is the guide’s responsibility — handled via radio, daily briefings, and clear driving instructions. GPS knowledge is not required.
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The route runs through touristically established regions of southern Tunisia. Overcross has operated on this terrain for over 20 years with local partners and current situation assessments before each departure.
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Key documents are sent in advance. Overcross handles entry and exit formalities as a group, often starting on the ferry, to keep the Tunis port process as smooth as possible.
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Getting stuck is normal in the Sahara and usually not a problem. The group works as a team with recovery equipment and guide support. Technical issues are assessed on the ground — safety always takes priority.
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