Grand Erg Oriental IV.18 trip report Tunisia
 

4days, 400km, 80% dunes. 16-19.April

Track (roughly): Douz, south of El Faouar, east of Tembaine, Lac Erreched, Gurg Kleb, Draa Errtem and then north to Douz.

-6 people
-Hilux 2.8D DC 2003 (diesel:tank 65l+40l in carnisters)
-Jeep Unlimited 3.6 automatic LWB, larger wheels, well prepared (petrol: tank 70l+70l in carnisters).
-Honda XR650R tank 10l + 55l in carnisters on hilux.

Observations:
-no problems with regard to security at all
-it was harder to ride/ drive than in the late November (warmer-looser sand in April).
-1day was very hot- above 30*C, the rest were pleasant, windy (20-27*C). We even encountered a small sand storm but we were able to move on. It was beautiful, but very easy to get lost.
- 1first ended in the late afternoon with jammed throttle in XR. At first glance I thought it was a broken gas cable. After close inspection it turned out that there was some sand in the carburettor that had caused all the problems. My air filter must have weighted at least half a kilo. It was all clogged with sand.
The good thing about the 650r is that it is very easy to take out carburettor if needed. I cleaned everything, put a new air filter and slightly smaller main jet to get rid of starting problems. I used a lot of universal bearing grease to seal the air filter and the cover. It all worked perfectly and I had not any sand in airbox till the end of the trip. After changing the main jet I was able to start the engine while sitting on the seat.

I recon that if you ride smart: take the line of the least resistence, choose firm sand, use momentum and avoid excessive wheelspin your air filter will not clog so fast. But if you like to challenge each dune, one after another for the whole day it would be sensible to change airfilter in the lunchbreak.
-air pressure in XR: front 0,75Bar Rear 0,55Bar (S12XC Michelin tyres),
in Hilux: 1,0Bar; in Jeep 1-1,5Bar
-fuel consumption: XR used 40l for 400km including one major cleaning of the carburettor and the airbox. If you count 10l/100km it should be enought.
Both cars used all of their fuel in carnisters. Jeep used almost everything... For loaded Hilux it was not more than 25l/100km and for the Jeep it Was almost 35l/100km.
- for Tunisian desert SWB with good approach and deperture angles is best
-for the whole group we had 168l of drinking water in bottles + 40l for washing
-after the sand storm the central locking and power windows in Jeep refused to work, the local electrician in Douz flushed the main module with petrol and everything started to work again
-I wish someday I could ride from Lac Erreched to N3 in Algeria, that would be a chellange:)

Thanks Tomek for all the informations and details, Glad you enjoyed your adventure in Tunisia and hope to see you again soon. :thumbup1:

Saharansky, thanks for the warm words but I do not believe we have had the pleasure of meeting.:oops2:

Thanks for the report Tomek.
Can you remind us of the port entry procedures and costs.
As straightforward as Morocco?

Tunisia: costs/border formalities IV.18
 

As always the most expensive part of the trip was driving across the EU (1600km from Cracow). It is sensible to fill the tank in Villach just before entering Italy which has the highest petrol price on the whole route. Italian Highways (Austia>Civitavecchia 40E; Salerno>Austria 75E). You can find inexpensive bungalows near Venice (f. Example Camping Jolly in Marghera, 35 Euro for 2people).

Ferry:
300 Euro return for 2 people in private cabin with 1 car_XL. Civitavecchia>Tunis>Salerno.
Ferry lines: GNV or Grimaldi.
If you choose a ferry which stops at Palermo you will spend there 6 hours without the possibility to leave the ferry.

The procedures at the border are similar to Morocco. The „subs” are ready to help. You have to go back and forth a couple of times but if you are equipped with smile and patience nothing can stop you. The better vehicle you have the higher likelihood you will be asked to pay some additional fares or present a gift.

You can buy Tunisian Dinars at the border at the same place where you do all the formalities.

The petrol is cheaper than in Morocco.
1TND= 0,34Euro
1l diesel- 1,61TND =0,54Euro
1l petrol- 1,85TND = 0,63 Euro

If above mentioned prices are still to high for you you can fill your tank at one of the ubiquitous in the south and west Tunisia „private” fuel stations with fuel from Libia or Algeria.

After leaving Tunis, about 70km south-east, along the highway there is nice place to spend a night (Hotel/camping Jasmin in Nabeul). 50TND for a double room with breakfast.

Before returning to the highway buy a Tunisian simcard: f.ex. Tuntel or Tunisiana.

From there you have 500km to Douz. 400Km of that is a highway, the rest is a straight road. The highways are very cheap, about 10TND to get to Douz. The whole trip from Nabeul to Douz takes about 4-5 hours without hurry.

In Douz I can recommend Camping Desert Club which is run by Sophie (the owner) for 20 years by now. https://www.facebook.com/Camping-des...0103786748511/
She speaks fluently arabic, french, english and couple of other languages. She has contacts and is able to sort out many problems if needed.
Prices: about 11 Euro for 2 people, car, tent and moto, electricity, wifi.
11 Euro for a big supper for two and a bottle of wine.

The guide with a cook in 4x4 costs 150E. Breakfast, lunch and suppers included. He organises also the authorisation to go in the desert. I have very good experience with Abdullah and his friend Ahmed. abdallah_ferjani1@yahoo.fr He speaks French, Italian, German and basic English.

Abdallah also leads camel trips. It cost 50Euro per person per day- everything is included.

Starting form Poland and using your own vehicle Tunisia is way more accesible than Morocco in terms of distance and cost.