When Tunisians think of Bouhlel, it is always Sidi Bouhlel that comes to their minds. Be it the canyons of Sidi Bouhlel or the Marabout Sidi Ben Abbes, these are the famous places of the region. Part of the delegation of Deguech in the governorate of Tozeur, Bouhlel is a real hidden gem. Immune to the radical forms of urbanism that have destroyed everything, the city keeps its authenticity and sacred cultural icons. Bouhlel is mostly known by the canyons of Sidi Bouhlel.
Bouhlel: What You Need to Know
Every year, the people of Bouhlel start a Zerda, a celebration that combines camping, home-cooked food and spiritual and cultural rituals.
The festival tells a story that people in the region used to travel, generation after generation, around the castle in the town of Sedda, which was looted by Father Othman in the 1700s.
Today, this festival attracts people from nearby towns, even those from across the Algerian border. These people come to Sidi Bouhlel to spend the night, at the foot of the mountain, near the good governor Sidi Bouhlel and Sidi Bou Abbas, as was customary, so that the dry area adjacent to the good guardian became a small village during the entire festival.
Bouhlel in Cinema
Since the film industry has settled in southern Tunisia, film lovers have added Tataouine, Tozeur and Djerba to their lists of dream destinations. And, it is not very surprising since these cities have witnessed the birth of the planet Tatooine in the Star Wars saga. This desert planet introduced many events and saw the birth of the new key characters Anakin Skywalker and his son Luke.
For Star Wars fans, the tours of South Tunisia offer an unforgettable experience where reality captures fantasy dreams. Although all these itineraries are interesting, few include the region of Bouhlel, this small place hidden near Tozeur.
Bouhlel: How to Get There?
To reach Bouhlel, you must come from Tozeur. If you come from Tunis to Tozeur, you can take a rental car from Moncef Bey or a bus from Beb Alioua. The journey is long and can take up to 7 hours. If you want to optimize your time, opt for an internal flight to Tozeur-Nefta airport. Once you arrive in Tozeur, a cab will take you to Bouhlel.
If Bouhlel is not the initial point of your itinerary, you can use the GPS address that WildyNess has created in the context of its film route planning activity.
Here are some directions that can help you if you are in Tozeur:
- Take the direction of Chott el Jerid.
- Turn left when you find a sign "Dghoumes" and continue straight for 2.1 km then left.
- After a few minutes, the house of the marabout Sidi Bouhlel will be visible. This is your destination.
What Exactly is Bouhlel Hike?
"Bouhlel Hike" is a hiking trail that is conceived to organize and develop the little known and little included cinematic circuits in the itineraries. WildyNess and its partners aim to enhance the natural and cultural heritage of the region.
The Bouhlel hike gives visitors to the filming sites of Sidi Bouhlel the opportunity to enrich their stay through a hike that will allow them to better discover the natural areas near the film site. Using Google Maps, visitors can choose one of two tours created according to their preferences, time and physical efforts.
More than a simple hiking tour, Bouhlel Hike will allow the inhabitants of the Degache region to offer their services to visitors and to help them discover the local food specialties, crafts and cultural heritage.
Where to Sleep After the Bouhlel Hike?
In Deguech, tourism is not yet well developed, which explains the very limited number of guesthouses. But, sometimes, one option can tick all the boxes. Dar Nanoo is the perfect example of this. Offering two types of suites, a family suite (for 5 people) and a standard suite (for 3 people), Dar Nanoo is the perfect guesthouse if you plan to continue your itinerary from Deguech.
In Tozeur and a few kilometers from Deguech, the options are more varied. We recommend Dar Hi if you are looking for a luxurious place to stay or Residence Le Ruisseau if you prefer to stay within a limited budget.
What to Do After the Adventure of Bouhlel?
Nefta
A single visit to a marabout or the good governor is not enough. To be in the bath of these Sufi rituals, you may have to go to Nefta, the stronghold of Sufism. The number of marabouts exceeds 100, but Sidi Hassan Aied, Sidi Bou Ali and Sidi Merzoug are the most famous marabouts. Each marabout has its own history, rituals and location. A tour of the marabouts can help you discover these little known and enigmatic traditions.
Tozeur
The must-see destination of southern Tunisia, Tozeur is a palm tree paradise that you must visit. La Corbeille, the oasis, the Medina are places where you can discover the culture of the place and enjoy a warm atmosphere that is rarely found in urban cities where the hectic life has made us forget the smiles and kindness.
Visit a Hidden City is Always a Good Idea
While traveling to a new country is thrilling in itself, visiting a hidden gem where people are striving for a better future is the best thing you can do. Bouhlel has it all: a rich cultural and historical background, an exciting hike trail and an amazingly generous community.
