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The Reptiles & Amphibians of Tunisia
Tour Code: TUN04A 10-day holiday to encounter and photograph the exciting reptile- and amphibian-life of Tunisia's mountains and deserts, with the guidance of expert herpetologists.
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Tour Itinerary and Reports
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Summary
Following the great success of our 'Reptiles & Amphibians of Morocco' holiday, we are delighted to announce a new herpetology-focused tour to North Africa – created in partnership with in-country herpetologists – to search for Tunisia's diversity of reptile and amphibian species.
From the lush Mogods Mountains to the arid dunes of Jebil National Park, we have the chance to observe a wide array of species in their fascinating North African habitats. Led by experienced guides, this holiday provides opportunities for night-time discoveries and immersive cultural experiences, ensuring a rewarding adventure for naturalists of all levels of experience in herpetology tour participation.
The holiday begins with an arrival in Tunis and a transfer to Nefza, where we base ourselves for an exploration of the Mogods Mountains. Here, we can expect to encounter Mediterranean species such as Mediterranean Painted Frog alongside specialities including Algerian Ribbed Newt and North African Ocellated Lizard plus many others. The following days focus on the Kroumerie Chain and the forests around Ain Draham, rich in species diversity including Western Snake-eyed Lizard and such snakes as False Smooth Snake and Eastern Montpellier Snake.
As the journey heads southward, we will explore desert and semi-arid ecosystems, including Bouhedma National Park and the iconic Chott el Djerid. These locations offer the chance to find such sought-after species as Egyptian Cobra, Moorish Viper, North-east African Carpet Viper, North African Spiny-tailed Lizard, and several gecko and skink species. Jebil National Park and its surroundings, explored by 4WD, promise some fine wildlife-watching, and we will search keenly for Desert Monitor here, with nocturnal searches highlighting such fantastic species as Desert Horned Viper and Sahara Sand Viper. Basing ourselves here for two nights in the remote Tembain fixed-camp further enhances the desert adventure, combining stunning vistas and night skies with our expert-led exploration.
The tour concludes with visits to Tataouine and Guermessa introducing more desert-adapted species, including the rare Peters' Banded Skink and Werner's Diadem Snake. Cultural landmarks like the Ksar Ghilane Oasis enrich the journey, bridging the natural and human heritage of Tunisia. After a final night on Djerba, an island off the east coast of Tunisia, known for its Mediterranean beaches and picturesque whitewashed houses, it will be sadly time to return home.
- Search for the incredible Cerastes vipers; Desert Horned and Sahara Sand
- Moorish Viper and North-east African Carpet Viper are a real possibility
- Search for Algerian Ribbed Newt, one of the continent's few caudate species
- A great opportunity to find the sought-after Desert Monitor
- Exciting mammals and birds likely to include Scimitar-horned Oryx, Greater Hoopoe-lark, Maghreb Wheatear and Cream-coloured Courser
- Led by an expert local naturalist and Naturetrek herpetologist
Grading
On a typical day on our herpetology tours we’ll begin searching in the field after breakfast, when the sun has warmed the substrates and landscapes, often getting into the vehicles at 9am and, after stopping for approximately one hour for lunch (which is often a continental-style picnic eaten in situ), we’ll continue into early-evening when we will stop for a rest and dinner. Most evenings it will be possible to do excursions in search of nocturnal species, which will on average be for three hours after dinner. With an equal percentage of the target reptile and amphibian species likely to be nocturnal, these night searches are an important part of the tour but are optional, with some participants preferring to rest on some of the days. On average, 5-8 miles are walked per day.
We’ll focus our time in the field on building an enviable list of reptile and amphibian species seen. Whilst searching, there is no doubt we’ll come across a huge variety of amazing fauna and flora, which we’ll also take time to enjoy, but reptiles and amphibians will strongly remain our focus. Sensitively checking under stones, logs and other refugia is an effective way of finding many species. Some of the target reptile or amphibian species may require longer field hours to locate and therefore this tour is suitable, and most enjoyable, for experienced herpetologists or naturalists who, aside from wishing to see the region’s rarely-seen reptiles and amphibians, relish being in the field searching for and identifying the vast array of birds, mammals, butterflies, invertebrates, and other wildlife which can be found sharing the wonderful habitats that we’ll explore on the tour.
In summary, Naturetrek herpetology holidays are suitable, and offer tremendous value, for those who spend most of their holiday time in wildlife habitats and for whom seeing some of the world’s superb reptiles and amphibians is the focus of their time away.
On this holiday we will of course often be walking on sandy or rocky terrain with some occasional small ascents required.
Outline Itinerary
Why Naturetrek?
At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:
- The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
- Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
- Outstanding value and exceptional customer service
Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!
