Tunisia
 Tunisia | |
|---|---|
| Information | |
| Language: | Arabic |
| Capital: | Tunis |
| Population: | 10,102,000 |
| Currency: | Tunisian dinar (TND) |
| Hitchability: | <rating country='tn' /> |
| Meet fellow hitchhikers on Trustroots | |
| <map lat='33.88865750124075' lng='9.47021484375' zoom='6' view='0' float='right' height="400" /> | |
Tunisia is a country in Northern Africa. It is bordered by Algeria to the west and southwest, Libya to the southeast, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north and east.
Hitchhiking in Tunisia is easy, especially in remote areas. Maximum expected waiting time is usually around 10-15 minutes. A small contribution can be expected so make it clear before getting on board. Also there can be the possibility to hitch with tourists driving with rental cars. There are many private taxis and shared minibuses called louage. Drivers are very helpful and they usually drive extra to take you to a good sport or a sightseeing place. It's common that the drivers want to gave money to take a louage (shared minibus).
In bigger cities like Tataouine or Medenine you have to walk a lot to find a good spot, it's worth to take a louage, especially if it's hot because it's difficult to find shades along the road.
Speaking French is a huge asset.
As a single woman you may have to think of some extra safety measures.
Contents
Getting in
From Europe you can get to Tunisia via plane or via a ferry. The borders from Algeria and Lybia are open.
By Boat
There are ferries to Tunisia from Napoli, Trapani (Sicily), Genova, Cagliari (Sardinia), Marseille and only in summer from La Spezia. It is not sure if these ferries are hitchable because especially in summer a reservation can be needed. The other possibility is to hitch a private yacht which is going to Tunisia.
Getting out
Both Algeria and Libya are not the easiest countries to get visas for.
Climate
Tunisia is arid and hot, especially during the summer. Be sure to not get stuck somewhere in the dessert and to have enough water with you and protect your head from the sun.
The south of the country is desert and merges into the Sahara. The terrain in the north is mountainous. A series of salt lakes, known as chotts or shatts, lie in an east-west line at the northern edge of the Sahara, extending from the Gulf of Gabes into Algeria.
Health
Generally the health system in Tunisia is in a good condition. To avoid diarrhoea wash your hands before eating and only drink bottled water. Most towns have a pharmacy and bigger towns have hospitals but these are sometimes overcrowded. Doctors mostly speak French because it is likely that they did their studies in France or Belgium. English is rarely spoken.
Be aware of wild animals and dogs because rabies (always deadly) is common. Make sure to have rabies vaccine before traveling to Africa. Don't get bitten of snakes or scorpions.
Cities
Literature
- "The rough guide to Tunisia" - Peter Morris and Daniel Jacobs
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