Ong Jemal

Southern Tunisia


The name derives from an unusual rock formation, shaped, not surprisingly, like the neck and head of a camel, overlooking the barren plains. This was Darth Maul’s lookout in The Phantom Menace where he landed in his Sith Infiltrator, the location for his and Qui-Gon’s tussle, as well as several pod-racing scenes.

Not far away is a line of sand dunes where The English Patient crew indulged in lots of billowing, sand-blown romantic stuff. Drivers of 4WDs love this spot for exhilarating descents of the dunes, and it’s a stunning place to watch the sunset.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Southern Tunisia attractions

1. Mos Espa

4.23 MILES

Mos Espa is probably Tunisia’s best-preserved Star Wars set. It’s remarkably intact and one of the best Star Wars sites in the country. The site is a…

2. La Corbeille

9.77 MILES

La Corbeille (which translates as ‘the basket’), a deep, palm-filled gully that takes up much of the northern part of town and cuts the town in two, is…

3. Marabout of Sidi Brahim

9.79 MILES

The most important religious building in Nefta's El Bayadha district is the Zaouia of Sidi Brahim, where the Sufi saint (and descendant of the Prophet…

4. Marabout of Sidi Merzoug

10.69 MILES

Just outside Nefta, you'll find this shrine to Sidi Merzoug, an important Sufi saint. The followers of Sidi Merzoug, known colloquially as the Black…

5. Belvedere Rocks

13.89 MILES

A sandy track running south off the Rte Zone Touristique near the Dar Charaït Museum leads to the Belvedere Rocks. Steps have been cut into the highest…

6. Dar Charaït Museum

13.91 MILES

The museum is housed is an extravagant reproduction of an old palace and contains collections of pottery, jewellery, costumes and other antiques, as well…

7. Skywalker Homestead

14.13 MILES

The original iconic igloo homestead where Luke Skywalker grew up was dismantled after the first Star Wars film was completed – this replica was rebuilt…

8. Ouled El Hadef

14.4 MILES

This 14th-century medina has a unique, striking architecture of pale brickwork arranged in relief patterns of endless, rhythmic variation; the easiest way…