A visit to a national park is not necessarily for everyone’s liking. But when it comes with good planning and a diverse schedule of activities, it can please everybody !
To make the most of your visit to the Jebil National Park, here are some of the activities Wildyness team highly recommend.
Let’s Talk About Jebil National Park
All you need to know about Jebil National Park
Covering the area of 150,000 hectares, the Jebil National Park is deemed to be the largest official national park. The story of the park stretches back to 1984 when it was mainly launched thanks to its location and biodiversity.
The park is located in the natural regions of Nefzaoua and Grand Erg Oriental and comes about 80 kilometers from Douz. A unique place where you can enjoy the stretched sahara view. The park is set on a tabular massif peaking at 220 m of altitude. This makes the rocky bars get covered with huge sand dunes.
The uniqueness of this park comes from the biodiverse ecosystem of the place. The fauna and the flora are typically Saharan and adapt well to its climate and to the variation of temperatures frequent in the desert. The park is a welcoming home to thousands of species including scorpions, dune gazelles, fennecs, lizards, sand snakes and a myriad of birds.
How to reach Jebil National Park?
From Tunis, take the road to Gafsa, El Guettar in the direction of Kebili and Jemna. Once you arrive at the city of Douz, you have another three-hour drive. You simply have to follow the signs to your destination.
The Jebil National Park is accessible by car through a passable track. We strongly recommend that you rent a 4*4 car with 4*4 viaggi avventura, located in the park, to facilitate access to it. Leave your car in front of the park gate, it's a safe place to park.
GPS coordinates: here
In this park, you will be able to find places of accommodation like the accampamento Zmela. For food and water, it is highly recommended to buy it in advance as resources are scarce in the park itself.
Activities to do while you’re around Jebil National Park
When visiting Jebil National Park, don't just take a short day trip. There are many activities to do once you are there. Start off your trip with spending a few hours in the park discovering its perfect natural reserve and hidden gems. You can go for some 4*4 rides on the dunes to add a bit of adventure to your stay there.
But once you’re done with discovering the park and its particularities, we highly recommend opting for other activities.
Here are some ideas:
Visit Ksar Ghilane
Ksar Ghilane is absolutely one of the must-go-to places once you arrive in this part of the country.. It is located on the edge of the Grand Erg and combines the beauty of palm groves with the calmness of the thermal spring. Such a magnificent panorama will leave no one indifferent.
In Ksar Ghilane, you can opt either for booking in a hotel if you want to stay over the place or go for some tours in jeep or camels to spend some hours there.
Photo credit: Amine Mouelhi
Spend Authentic Moments in a Nearby Café
Being seized by the charm and calmness of the Sahara is the best feeling you can experience. But; we highly recommend a small break to be able to replenish your energy and disconnect a bit from the overwhelmingness of the place. For this, we suggest two coffee addresses in the heart of the Sahara: The El Mida café and the Grand Erg café which are located 15 minutes from Ksar Ghilane.
These two cafes cater for your need for a break while giving you the chance to enjoy the natural landscape and the local culture. The traditional green tea is prepared on wood in this fantastic environment. You've earned it, after all!
Take a break in one of the two cafés El Mida or Café Grand Erg and enjoy this wonderful experience.
To reach Café Grand Erg follow this Google map link
Spend a First Night at Zmela Labrissa Camp
Tempted by the dune of the Sahara? What is more beautiful than spending the night in the dunes? Authenticity, peace and quietness are guaranteed. Far from the hustle and bustle of the big cities, you will be able to indulge in the calmness, peace, and authenticity you’re craving for. Enjoy the immensity of the starry sky and the sun and make sure not to miss the sunset or sunrise. A breathtaking view !
In a purely Saharan landscape, this ideal destination provides you with a 4*4 transport from Ksar Ghilane for up to 7 persons at a really reasonable price equal to 160 dt per trip. If you want to visit this hidden treasure by yourself, just follow the road south from Ksar Ghilane and then 20 kilometers of track to the camp Zmela Labrissa. You should also know that this place includes secure parking at the door. The parking comes far away from the tents to ensure a peaceful and quiet stay.
For any information, contact these numbers of the camp +216 94 382 034 and +216 24 806 191.
GPS : Here
Visit of the Magnificent Tembaine mountain
For the adventurous who love a good thrill while hiking, the Tembaine mountain is an excellent destination. In the middle of the Grand Erg, the mountain rises in an ocean of dunes. To get there, a GPS device is highly recommended.
On the horizon, you will probably see two imposing sand mountains. At these GPS coordinates, stop in the Café Tembaine for a little break.
It is one of the most remarkable places for meeting other desert drivers and networking.
Photo credit: Amine Mouelhi
Spend the Second Night in the Mars Camp
At the foot of the Tembaine Mountain, the comfortable and luxurious Mars Camp is the perfect destination to end your trip. At Camp Mars, time stands still; the dunes dance as far as the eye can see; the dark sky is filled with stars; and nature is unique and captivating. You will think for a second that you’re on another planet.
Mars Camp is more than just a place to stay. Combining comfort and authenticity, the camp will cater for one of the most magnificent nights of your life here. Extraordinarily beautiful, these moments will remain forever engraved in your memory.
GPS coordinates here
Photo credit: Amine Mouelhi
Visit Houidhat Erreched
Nothing is more refreshing than to start your last day in a thermal lake in the middle of the desert. The Houidhat Erreched lake is one of the few thermal springs in the Sahara. This hot water resurgence is about 30 minutes away and is only accessible by a 4*4 ride through the dunes.
Bathing in this lake brings you more benefits than you may think. This lake is deemed to be an efficient relaxing treatment for joints and muscles. We are sure you suffer from some pains after the different walks in the sand. This place is purely therapeutic. Your body will be pampered; your muscles treated; and your soul replenished once again. The view in Houidhat Erreched is exceptional.
Photo credit: Amine Mouelhi
A walk in Houdhat Erreched:
Done with your therapeutic bathing? Before ending this pleasant and enriching experience, how about a walk around Houidhat Erreched? To brighten up your experience even more, go on a camel ride. It's really great !
It is impossible to visit the desert without trying a ride on a camel’s back. This ride provides a sense of accomplishment and satisfies your sense of curiosity. It allows you to experience what the people of the desert have been experiencing for thousands of years. An unforgettable ride for young and old folks alike, to end this Saharan experience on a high note !
Final thoughts on the Jebil National Park tour
Although it is not that easy to reach, southern Tunisia is full of heavenly places in the middle of the Sahara. Visiting this region will give you a real feeling of disconnection and the eerie feeling of being on another planet. Here is a complete circuit to spend 2 memorable days around the Jebil National Park. We hope that we could help you to plan your stay.
