Tunisia 2025: Sand for Breakfast in the Grand Erg Oriental

The Training Ground – Erwin & Sandra van Dijk

In 2025, we ventured deep into the Tunisian Sahara with our 4x4. With our new hood. Isn't it cool!? We were supposed to go to Algeria, but we found out only 3 days before that the visas weren't properly arranged. From the vast salt flats of Chott el Djerid to the high dunes of the Grand Erg Oriental.

"Beautiful, but what a hassle"

"The Tunisian desert is unforgiving. During the day it's scorching hot, and as soon as the sun sets, the wind picks up. We had nights where we struggled with zippers jamming due to the fine fesh-fesh sand and fabric flapping in the wind all night. The rooftop tent was good, but a lot of work every evening.

Our moments from Tunisia:

• The silence of the dunes: There's nothing like waking up in the middle of the Grand Erg, zipping open, and seeing nothing but sand to the horizon.

• Surviving sandstorms: Nights where the car was shaking, and we learned that an aerodynamic shell makes the difference between sleeping and staying awake.

• Pushing boundaries: Navigating by the sun and the map, far from civilization. That's what we do it for.

"The road to LCM Offroad"

"Although we did this trip with a different type of rooftop tent, the foundation for LCM Offroad was laid in Tunisia. We saw there how incredibly beautiful a desert road trip can be. A good rooftop tent is truly a must. We want to fully resume 4x4ing with an even better rooftop tent.