Chott el Djerid: the salt lake that looks like the sea

Tozeur sits on the edge of Chott el Djerid, described as the largest salt lake in the Sahara. Most of the year it is a vast flat crust of salt and clay; after rain it shines like water.

Mirages are common in the heat: distant palms or houses seem to float above the white. In some places the water takes pink and purple tones, and you can find small white salt formations on the ground.

The road from Tozeur to Kebili crosses the chott, and it is one of the most memorable drives in Tunisia.