Chott el Jerid — The Great Salt Lake
Chott el Jerid is the largest salt lake in the Sahara — a vast, shimmering expanse of white and pink salt between Tozeur and Kebili, where mirages turn the horizon into illusory water and floating cities.
A Sea of Salt
Covering roughly 7,000 km² and stretching up to 250 km, Chott el Jerid is an endorheic basin — water flows in but only leaves by evaporation, leaving behind a thick crust of salt. In summer the surface becomes a blinding white plain crossed by heat mirages; in winter, shallow water can turn it into a mirror reflecting the sky.
The Causeway Crossing
A paved causeway links Tozeur and Kebili straight across the chott. Stopping in the middle, you are surrounded by pure flatness, pastel-pink salt pools and total silence — one of the most surreal landscapes in Tunisia, and a backdrop for Star Wars' Tatooine.
Tips for Visiting
- Go at sunrise or sunset — the light turns the salt gold and rose.
- Stay on the causeway — the crust hides soft spots; don't drive onto the flats.
- Bring sunglasses — the white glare is intense at midday.
- Combine with Tozeur — the chott is right beside the oasis city.
Frequently Asked Questions
Chott el Jerid is the largest salt lake in the Sahara Desert, covering around 7,000 km² between Tozeur and Kebili in southern Tunisia. It is famous for its mirages and pink-and-white salt flats.
You can stop and walk near the paved causeway in safe areas, but you should not drive onto the open flats — the salt crust hides soft, waterlogged spots that can be dangerous.
Yes. The salt flats and nearby sites stood in for the deserts of Tatooine, and the chott is crossed on the way between the Tozeur and Matmata Star Wars locations.