Frequently asked questions
Everything worth knowing before you book
Booking and cancellation
What's the cancellation policy?
Cancellation is free up to 48 hours before your arrival date, as long as you have not paid the 10 € advance. If you have already paid the advance, or if your arrival is less than 48 hours away, please contact us. If we're the ones cancelling — weather, equipment, or any reason on our side — you choose between a full refund or a free reschedule.
Do I pay when I book?
No, nothing is charged when you book. Once your booking is confirmed, you pay a small advance of 10 € per booking to show you are serious: message us on WhatsApp to say you will pay it and we send you a payment link. The rest is paid on site.
What happens if the weather turns on the day of my trip?
Sandstorms and strong wind mean cancellation, with a full refund or a free reschedule. That call is made by the head guide, never by the booking office.
Practical information
What should I wear and bring?
Closed shoes, long sleeves, and sunglasses for the day; a warm layer for the evening, since desert nights are cool even after a hot day. We hand out a chèche (head and neck scarf) at the gate.
Is there phone signal in Sabria?
Intermittent at best. Every guide carries a charged satellite messenger and radio, and the base at the gate knows every route and expected return time.
Can you handle dietary or medical needs?
Yes — tell us when you book. We offer vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options at the camp, and our guides are briefed on any condition you tell us about.
Age and participation
Do I need experience to drive a quad?
No. The quads are automatic, and every session starts with a briefing and a practice lap on flat ground before heading into the dunes. Drivers must be 16 or older with photo ID.
Is the camel trek suitable for children?
Children aged six and up can ride with a parent, with a camel handler walking alongside each camel the whole way. Under six, we recommend the sunset camp visit instead.
What about pregnancy or a mobility need?
Tell us when you book — we'd much rather point you to the right trip than turn you away at the gate.
Can I arrive in my own vehicle or request a transfer?
Both options are supported in the booking flow. Choose your own vehicle or an available transport option, then provide the requested pickup details. The team confirms the exact meeting or pickup point before departure.
What are a ksar and a ghorfa?
A ksar is a fortified collective granary; ksour is the plural. Its stacked storage chambers are called ghorfas. Around Tataouine and Medenine, these structures stored harvests and were tied to semi-nomadic life in the region.
Why visit Chenini and Tataouine rather than treating them as a photo stop?
The landscape tells a connected story: hilltop settlements, rock-cut homes, water-management systems and collective granaries. Chenini and nearby Douiret are living places, so a slower visit with local context is more respectful and more informative.
Is Djerba a UNESCO World Heritage site?
Yes. UNESCO inscribed Djerba in 2023 for its distinctive dispersed settlement pattern and the way communities adapted to a water-scarce island environment. The listed property is a series of sites and monuments, not a single building.
When is the best season for the Tunisian Sahara?
Tunisia's official tourism portal presents winter as the ideal season for exploring the Sahara and autumn as suitable for desert travel. Conditions vary by day, so check the forecast and follow the operating team's timing and weather decision.
Should I check official travel advice before a southern Tunisia trip?
Yes. Advice and restricted zones can change. Check the current guidance issued for your nationality, make sure your insurance covers the planned route and activities, and do not improvise travel into border or military zones.
Where exactly is Dunes Insolites?
The camp is in Sabria, in Tunisia's Kébili governorate, approximately 30 km from Douz according to the official Dunes Insolites presentation. The precise GPS point and arrival instructions are confirmed for your booking.
Can a normal family car reach the camp?
The official camp information says it is accessible by family car under normal conditions. Follow only the confirmed approach and contact the team if weather or sand has changed the track; do not improvise another route.
Are there showers and toilets at the camp?
Yes. The camp's official presentation lists on-site showers, including hot water, alongside its tent accommodation. The exact facilities attached to your chosen accommodation are shown during booking and confirmed by the team.
What kinds of nights can I book?
The catalogue distinguishes the established camp from a simpler bivouac deeper in the desert. At the fixed camp, accommodation options can include a traditional tent, room or suite depending on current availability.
What food is part of the Dunes Insolites experience?
The camp presents traditional meals prepared with regional products, mint tea and desert bread cooked with hot sand and embers. Your selected stay states what is included; dietary needs should be provided before confirmation.
Which activities can be added at Dunes Insolites?
The public camp information and current catalogue include camel outings, quad trips, sandboarding, horse experiences, sunset photography and desert bivouacs. Only activities actually available for your date appear or are confirmed for booking.
What is the difference between the fixed camp and a bivouac?
The fixed camp prioritises established accommodation and facilities. A bivouac is a simpler, more mobile night farther into the dunes. Choose according to the comfort level, travel time and programme described on the specific stay page.
Can families, private groups or events be accommodated?
Dunes Insolites publicly offers group activities and events, while the booking system records party size and special requests. Send the group's ages, dates and needs before confirmation so the team can propose a suitable programme rather than assume every activity fits everyone.
What happens after I send a booking request?
The website does not charge immediately. The request is checked against availability and the selected services; the local team then confirms the programme, arrival or pickup details and the next payment step by email or WhatsApp.
Sources behind these destination answers
Operational answers come from the booking rules. Destination and heritage answers are checked against the following primary sources.
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