Tamerza & Chebika — Mountain Oases
In the mountains near the Algerian border, Tamerza, Chebika and Mides form a trio of spectacular oases — palm-filled canyons with waterfalls and ruined villages, a startling contrast to the surrounding desert.
The Mountain Oases
Unlike the dune-sea oases, these are mountain oases set in rocky gorges. Tamerza has a waterfall and an abandoned old village; Chebika clings to a cliff with a palm-lined spring; Mides sits dramatically above a deep canyon.
Things to Do
- Tamerza waterfall — a rare desert cascade among the palms.
- Chebika — walk to the spring and the old clifftop village.
- Mides canyon — stand above one of Tunisia's most dramatic gorges.
- 4x4 mountain tracks — the scenic way to link the three.
Best Time to Visit
October to April. These oases are usually visited on a 3-day circuit from Tozeur or the north, combined with Chott el Jerid.
Frequently Asked Questions
Tamerza and Chebika are mountain oases in western Tunisia near the Algerian border, known for their palm-filled canyons, waterfalls and dramatic cliffside settings — very different from the dune deserts.
They're usually visited by 4x4 on a 3-day desert circuit from Tozeur or the north, often combined with Chott el Jerid and Mides. The mountain tracks require a guide and a 4x4.
Yes. Tamerza has a genuine waterfall fed by a mountain spring, surrounded by palms — a rare and surprising sight in the Tunisian desert.