Horseback Riding Tour in Southern Tunisia: From Tozeur to the Mountain Oases

6-Day Horseback Riding Program in Southwest Tunisia:

📍 Itinerary: Tozeur → Nefta → Mountain Oases → Tamerza → Mides → Segdoud
🏜️ Scenery: Sand dunes, lush oases, rugged mountains, abandoned ksour
🐎 Level: Intermediate to advanced
📏 Total distance: ~180 km
⏳ Daily riding time: 4 to 6 hours
Southwest Tunisia offers a spectacular setting for a horseback riding tour: vast deserts, lush palm groves, cliffs, and natural springs. This journey immerses you in the heart of the Sahara, following the paths of ancient caravans.

📅 Day 1: Arrival in Tozeur & First Ride to Nefta

📍 Distance: ~25 km 🏇 | ⏳ Estimated time: 4h | 🏜️ Elevation: Light

• 🚗 08:00 – Arrival in Tozeur, horse preparation and briefing.
• 🏇 10:30 – Departure on horseback toward Nefta, known for “La Corbeille”, a natural oasis in a basin.
• 🏜️ 12:30 – Picnic lunch under the palm trees.
• 🏡 17:00 – Overnight in a Berber guesthouse in Nefta.

📅 Day 2: Nefta → Chott El Jerid → Chebika (Oasis & Salt Desert)

📍 Distance: ~35 km 🏇 | ⏳ Estimated time: 5–6h | 🏜️ Elevation: Moderate

• 🏇 08:00 – Ride across the lunar landscapes of Chott El Jerid, a vast salt lake.
• 🌿 12:00 – Stop at the Chebika oasis for a refreshing dip in the natural springs.
• 🍽️ 13:30 – Lunch in the shade of palm trees.
• 🏡 17:00 – Overnight in a lodge in Chebika.

📅 Day 3: Chebika → Tamerza (Cliffs & Waterfalls)

📍 Distance: ~30 km 🏇 | ⏳ Estimated time: 5h | ⛰️ Elevation: Medium

• 🏇 08:00 – Departure toward the Atlas Mountains.
• ⛰️ 10:30 – Pass through the canyons of Tamerza, an ancient abandoned town.
• 🌊 12:30 – Lunch break near the Tamerza waterfall.
• 🏡 17:00 – Overnight in a troglodyte lodge in Tamerza.

📅 Day 4: Tamerza → Mides (Mountain Trails & Views)

📍 Distance: ~25 km 🏇 | ⏳ Estimated time: 4–5h | 🏞️ Elevation: High

• 🏇 08:00 – Ride along the Mides gorges, known for their dramatic cliffs.
• 📸 11:00 – Photo break on the ridges with views of Algeria.
• 🍽️ 13:00 – Lunch in the wilderness.
• 🏡 17:00 – Overnight in a desert bivouac under the stars.

📅 Day 5: Mides → Segdoud (Desert Plateaus)

📍 Distance: ~35 km 🏇 | ⏳ Estimated time: 5h | 🏜️ Elevation: Moderate

• 🏇 08:00 – Departure through the open desert landscape.
• 🏜️ 12:00 – Lunch under a nomadic-style tent.
• 🏡 17:00 – Overnight in a Saharan camp in Segdoud.

📅 Day 6: Segdoud → Tozeur (Return)

📍 Distance: ~30 km 🏇 | ⏳ Estimated time: 5h | 🏜️ Elevation: Medium

• 🏇 08:00 – Final ride through the dunes back toward Tozeur.
• 🌴 12:00 – Arrival and optional swim in a local oasis.
• 🚗 15:00 – Transfer back to Tunis.
• 🏡 18:00 – End of the trip.

🔹 Practical Tips:

• ✅ Horse gear: Comfortable saddle, saddlebags, helmet.
• ✅ Clothing: Breathable clothes, scarf for sand, riding boots.
• ✅ Hydration: 3–4L of water per day + electrolytes.
• ✅ Safety: GPS, first aid kit, headlamp.
• ✅ Food: Dried fruits, energy bars, dates.

🏇 Level: Intermediate to advanced
🏜️ Terrain types: Desert, oases, mountains, rocky plateaus
⏳ Time in the saddle per day: 4 to 6 hours
📏 Total distance: 180 km