About
Ong Jemel is a rock formation in the Sahara of Tunisia, in North Africa. Its name means "Camel's Neck," a description that suits the shape of the sandstone outcrop as it rises from the surrounding desert. It is a landmark for travellers who come to see the wide, empty landscape of the south.
Why visitors come
Part of the appeal is the place's link to film. Ong Jemel is known as a filming location for the Tatooine scenes of Star Wars, and many visitors come hoping to stand where those scenes were shot. The outcrop itself is dramatic, and the setting, with endless golden dunes stretching out around it, gives the visit a sense of scale that photographs rarely capture.
What a visit is like
Ong Jemel suits adventurous travellers who are comfortable with desert conditions. It is a place to walk around, look up at the rock, and take in the open sand in every direction. Because it sits in the Sahara, a visit is best approached as an outing into a remote landscape rather than a short stop in a town.
- Bring water, sun protection and suitable footwear for sand and uneven ground.
- Plan your route and transport in advance, as the area is far from large urban centres.
- Allow time to simply look at the dunes and the light, which change through the day.
Around the area
Ong Jemel lies within the wider Saharan region of Tunisia, where the desert landscape is the main draw. Travellers who visit often combine it with other desert sights in the south, so that the trip becomes a longer journey through dunes, villages and open country. For many, the rock formation is the point that gives the wider trip its focus.