When we started looking into doing a Star Wars tour in Tunisia, we immediately found a company that shall remain nameless (but is easily google-able) offering Star Wars tours through Tunisia for a truly bonkers amount of money. This company charges around $2900 USD ($4600 AUD!!!) per person for a 6 day trip!
That means that it would’ve cost Dad and I over $9000 AUD for the trip and there was just absolutely no way we were going to part with that kinda cash when I was so sure that we could do a DIY tour for a fraction of the cost.
After doing a little bit of research on renting a car or booking a private guide I ended up deciding to do the latter. We had had such a positive experience with our local guide when we visited Syria and thus it just felt like the right option. I found numerous glowing recommendations in a niche Facebook group that I am a part of for a guide named Jamel and wasted no time in contacting him on Whatsapp.
I told him that we wanted a Star Wars based tour, gave him our dates and within 24 hours we had booked! Jamel charged us $1620 USD total for a 7 day trip (although this price didn’t include accommodation) which seemed like an absolute bargain.
I’ll list his contact details in ‘The Lowdown’ at the end of the post, but for now, let’s get into the itinerary!
Number of Star Wars filming locations: 3
Full disclosure, we spent our first day in Tunisia driving from Tunis to Djerba via El Jem. If you are short on time or simply just want to see Star Wars things and have no interest in other Tunisian marvels then I’d recommend flying directly into Djerba to start your trip. However, if you are a sucker for an amazingly well preserved Roman ruin then the trip to El Jem is well worth it – click here to read about that trip.
Sidi Jemour aka Tosche Station – Episode IV
The first of three spots you’ll visit on this day is Sidi Jemour Mosque, which was used to film the Tosche Station deleted scene in Episode IV: A New Hope. Though this scene didn’t make it into the final cut of the film, it is still well worth a visit and you can watch the deleted scene on Youtube.
Ben’s House – Episode IV
Used to shoot the exteriors of Obi-Wan’s home on Tatooine, this abandoned building was once a place of worship and is now used as shelter for fisherman who pass through. Despite its lack of upkeep and maintenance, it seems to be standing the test of time relatively well.
The Cantina – Episode IV
The third and last Star Wars filming site for the day is the Cantina in Ajim village. Unfortunately, this site has fallen into complete disrepair thanks to a lack of maintenance by the local governate. Despite the fact that it is quite literally littered with litter (say that three times fast) it was still worth a brief visit.
Number of Star Wars filming locations: 2 + one disputed site
Day two is all about the slave quarters scenes in Episode I: The Phantom Menace. These scenes were filmed across numerous locations and after leaving Djerba you can visit all three as you make your way towards the city of Tataouine.
Ksar of Medenine – Episode I
Also sometimes referred to as Ksar Ommarsia, the Ksar of Medenine is centrally located in the bustling city of Medenine. This Ksar was originally a fortified Berber granary dating back to the 17th century. It is free to visit but there are a few gentlemen who still operate their shops out of this site and if you are looking to purchase a souvenir I know that these men would very much appreciate your business.
Ksar Hadada – Episode I
Another Ksar used to shoot the scenes set at Slave Quarters Row! This is the only one of the three ksars to really embrace the Star Wars vibes – there is memorabilia all around the place and you can even get yourself a Yoda stamp. This site has been turned into an adorable hotel but at the time I visited the owners hadn’t get obtained the permits to actually open and host guests – once this is up and running I think it would be such a cute place to stay!
Ksar Ouled Soltane – Episode I*
Okay, so there is a lotta dispute about this particular ksar. Some people do believe that this site was used for some background shots in Episode I but it is more likely that this was a location that was scouted but never actually utilised. Despite this, it is still a vibe and half. Located very much off the tourist track, this particular ksar is in gorgeous condition and other than a few artists that sell their work here, you can pretty much guarantee that you’ll have it all to yourself.
Oh, and it’s undeniably gorgeous.
Number of Star Wars filming locations: 1 (but she’s an epic one)
Hotel Sidi Driss – Episodes II + IV
Hotel Sidi Driss (also sometimes written as Hotel Sidi Idriss) was the filming location for the interiors of the Lars home. So much of the original set is still in place and it’s easily one of the most iconic Star Wars spots in all of Tunisia.
We visited early in the morning and had the entire place to ourselves – utterly delightful!
Number of Star Wars filming locations: 5
Sidi Bouhlel – Episodes I + IV, also used to film Raiders of the Lost Ark!
Sidi Bouhlel (also known as Star Wars Canyon or Maguer Gorge) is an unassuming gorge that is famous due to the fact that it was used to shoot a number of scenes from Star Wars and also to film some scenes in Raiders of the Lost Ark!
Accessing the gorge requires a short but uneven walk through an unmarked ravine to the opening of the gorge. There are two shrines in the area, basically just don’t follow either of the obvious paths to these shrines and you should find it without issue.
Ong Jemel – Episode I
This rocky outcrop and general desert flat area was used to film a while bunch of the pod racing scenes from Episode I – it’s a gorgeous spot and easily visited while heading onwards towards Mos Espa.
Mos Espa – Episodes I + II
If you don’t know about Mos Espa what are you even doing here?! This purpose built set is located in the middle of the desert outside of Tozeur and is quite possibly one of the coolest abandoned set pieces in the world.
Accessing Mos Espa requires a 4×4 and someone capable of driving up and down some serious sand dunes, alternatively it can be accessed by dune buggy or by some motorbikes.
Entrance to the site is free but there are quite a few men that have set up shop spruiking their wares in this spot and they can be quite persistent.
Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes – Episode IV
These sand dunes were used to film the scene in A New Hope where C-3P0 and R2-D2 crash land into the planet of Tatooine. As sand dunes are dynamic and ever changing you can’t visit the exact same spot or dune where this was filmed but the general area is still worth a look, even if just for the dune bashing that ensues.
Lars Homestead – Episode IV
Your Star Wars adventures through Tunisia will hit an undeniable peak when you visit the Lars Homestead. Located in the middle of a salt flat, this igloo was used to shoot the exteriors of Luke Skywalker’s home on Tatooine and it is undeniably iconic.
If you want to drive in, a 4×4 will be required, alternatively you could park on the road and hike the 1km or so into the flat to reach it.
I highly recommend visiting at sunset for maximum wow factor!
By this point all the Star Wars sites to see will have been seen, but you will find yourself quite a ways away from any international airport. I highly recommend driving from the Tozeur area to Kairouan where you can explore the Kairouan Medina which is where all the scenes set in Cairo in Raiders of the Lost Ark were filmed!
I also highly recommend stops at Chebika Oasis, Zawiya of Sidi Sahib and the Great Mosque of Kairouan.
- When you exchange foreign currency into Tunisian Dinar make sure to ask for a receipt and keep it! The cash exchange counters at Tunis airport will refuse to exchange Dinars for other currency without a receipt. Furthermore, it is illegal to export any Tunisian money from the country, which means if you are left unable to exchange your money you will essentially be forced to throw it away.
- Tunisia is one of the more progressive countries in the North Africa region (abortion is legal until 12 weeks gestation) but homosexuality is still criminalised and anti-sodomy laws and still enforced. As a gay woman I opted to archive all evidence of my wife from my social media pages before I landed in Tunisia and opted to instead refer to her as ‘my husband’ – something I resent having to do but hey, in the name of safety and all that.
- Drones are super illegal to import into Tunisia. I was really nervous before arriving as someone I follow on socials had all her camera gear confiscated at Tunis airport and was stripsearched and sexually harassed there. I late found out that while she had a similar amount of camera gear to me, she was also carrying a drone which is likely what led to her being detained and being subjected to such awful treatment. She was absolutely not at fault for what happened, nobody should be subjected to such an experience, but to minimise the likelihood that this happens to you, leave the drone at home.
- Bargaining is expected with buying trinkets and souvenirs, but if the price seems reasonable to begin with consider whether you actually need/want to haggle the price down further – the average income in Tunisia isn’t exactly high and these people are just trying to make a living!
- The main languages in Tunisia are Arabic and to a lesser extent, French. Boning up on a few key phrases before your visit will make your travels much more relaxed.
Tours by Jamel: We absolutely loved our trip with Jamel and truly couldn’t have asked for a better guide. We booked our trip with Jamel directly via whatsapp messages, you can contact him through whatsapp on +216 98 202 283 or check out his website by clicking here
Remember: Tunisia is very progressive compared to many of its surrounding countries and women are free to wear whatever they want… but I still would recommend covering your knees and shoulders to avoid attracting unwanted attention
