Chott el Djerid

Chott el Djerid is a large salt lake in the southern Sahara that stretches across a vast expanse. The surface consists of white salt crusts and is surrounded by shifting dunes and shallow shoreline zones.

Ancient Greek writers referred to this location as Lake Tritonis, suggesting that traders and travelers passed through during classical times. Over time, the site became a known point on trade routes crossing the desert.

The name comes from Arabic and means "salt plain." The white salt crust shapes the landscape and has drawn people who have worked here for generations harvesting salt.

A visit requires a four-wheel drive vehicle and a guide who knows the area, as conditions change frequently. Winter offers the most stable conditions on the salt surface for traveling across it.

The surface creates natural optical illusions where objects seem to float above the horizon due to temperature differences. These mirages appear most often in the warmer months and regularly confuse visitors.

Location: Tozeur Governorate

Location: Kebili Governorate

Elevation above the sea: 15 m

Part of: Tunisian salt lakes

Address: Chott el Djerid, Tunisia

GPS coordinates: 33.70000,8.43333

Latest update: December 6, 2025 16:01