About
Kebili is a town in southern Tunisia, set among the date palm groves of an oasis on the edge of the Sahara. It is a place for slow walking rather than checklists, and for seeing how daily life has been organised around water and palms for a very long time.
The oasis and its palms
The town is described as one of the oldest settlements in North Africa, and its date palm groves are said to stretch back thousands of years. Walking among the palms gives a sense of the scale and patience that oasis farming demands. The shade under the fronds is a welcome change from the open desert around it.
What a visit offers
- Exploring the traditional irrigation systems that carry water through the gardens.
- Tasting dates, which Kebili is known for locally, and buying them from the people who grow them.
- Getting a feel for authentic desert life, at an unhurried pace.
Visitors should expect a quiet town rather than a busy resort. Much of the appeal lies in the atmosphere of the oasis itself and in conversations with local people.
As a base for the desert
Kebili also works well as a peaceful base for exploring the nearby salt lakes and the wider desert landscapes. Staying here lets you set out into the open country and return to the shade of the palms in the evening.