Tunisia Travel Forum

Hi,
We're going to Tunsia (port El Kantaoui)for 2 weeks in September and are planning on taking some excursions/day trips while we're there. Just wondering if anyone has any advice on whether to book before we leave or wait until we get there - is there any difference in price? - where would we book from? (we've not booked our trip through a travel agent) - what's on offer/worthwhile doing? e.t.c.
Any info would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

Hi, I go to Tunisia frequently, in fact I just came. Regarding excursions, you can book them through the hotel and maybe you'll get them a bit cheaper. You'll definetely find persons trying to sell you excursions. Have you decided what places you are going to visit? If you want to ask me just let me know.

Regards
Joanie

Hi,
Thanks for the reply.
We're definitely thinking of doing a 2 or 3 day sahara tour - we've seen it advertised by a company for £72 - the thing is, we don't want to book something before we go and find out we could have done better when we got there or vice versa. We're also quite interested in a Bedouin feast and some sort of boat trip.
Any advice/info you can give us would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

Regarding the price for the sahara tour is quite worth it. I think I would book it. You can also go on the boat trip, you have 3hours incl. meals and even shows on the boat, it's very nice and you'll defientely have fun. Also there some hotels which have excursionsfor the bedouin shows. May I ask in which hotel are you staying?
Also just don't miss the capital city Tunis and the wonderful blue and white village of Sidi Bou Said... you can have a look at my Tunisia page .

Hi,

Also check to see via what transportation the excursion is by. Some companies do excursion by the huge buses rather than the Jeeps, so this should definitely encourage your decision.

Usually booking at arrival will be cheaper as you can bargain the price and go to several agencies. However private tours will be substantially more expensive.

We booked the trips in Port El Kantoui and Sousse. From there we went to Kairouan and to Tunis/Carthage/Sidi Bou Said by train and bus. To Gabes, Djerba, the desert south of Douz, Tozeur and more places along the road we had a 3-4 days prebooked trip by bus. All the places I visited are in my tips. If you have any specific questions feel free to ask.

I returned yesterday from my 4th trip to Tunisia, the first 3 in my 4x4 the most recent back-packing. What you will enjoy will depend on your age, interests and of course whether or not you are a squeeky clean tourist. Do you speak French, or indeed Arabic, as this would obviously make a huge difference when it comes to both "local respect" and negotiating a price. Public transport is cheap, trains are quick and generally clean and comfortable, express buses (major routes) are also good. Long distances can be covered at night, there are no "sleepers" but you'll sleep if you're tired enough. You don't have to look for "trips", they will find you, within 5 mins of arriving in Douz we were approached with recommendations for both hotels and trips. We needed neither as we had already made our own plans.
A lot of the good trips will either be a very long day or be spread over at least two days. Douz is a fantastic place to stay, I never rated it before this trip but I have to say this time I saw it in a different way.
The hotel MARS 20 is excellent value, the shower was hot, strong and clean, and for an en-suite double we paid 20TD, with breakfast. It should be pointed out that a standard Tunisian breakfast consists of little more than a coffee, bread, yoghurt and jam, if you're lucky you may get a hard-boiled egg.
Once in Tunisia we spent around £300 for the 8 days, of travelling, eating and sleeping.