Chott el Djerid is a large endorheic salt lake (one with an inflow but no outflow for the water) in southern Tunisia. It is the largest salt pan of the Sahara, with a surface area of over 5,000 sq km. Due to the extreme climate, with an annual rainfall of only 100 mm and temperatures reaching 50° C, water evaporates from the lake. In summer, Chott el Djerid is almost entirely dried up, and numerous fata morganas occur. Lake Kivu'Chott' is the word used in Tunisia for lakes that stays dry through the hot season, but which has some water in the winter. The largest, the Chott el Jerid, covers 5,000 sq km at the most, and lies in the middle of Tunisia, close to the Algerian border. Chott el Jerid was some thousand years ago part of the Mediterranean Sea. The chott is easily accessed, as an elevated causeway has been built across it, from Kebili to Tozeur. The part on the eastern side is called Chott el Fejej. The trip is highly recommended, and offers some great sights, especially when the sun shines on the salty surface, and reflections together with the heat gives startling optical effects. Earlier, many caravans were lead astray by the mirages out on the chott. On the surprising side, souvenir stalls and cafés are found all along the causeway. There are possible hazards that everyone should take into consideration: the causeway is sometimes so much covered by sand that crossing is made difficult, and in hot weather some would find the trip unpleasant.
It is the largest salt pan of the Sahara with a surface area of over 7,000 km² (some sources state 5,000 km²). Due to the extreme climate with annual rainfall of only 100 mm and temperatures reaching 50° C, water evaporates from the lake. In summer Chott el Djerid is almost entirely dried up, and numerous fata morganas occur. South of Chott el Djerid, the Grand Erg Oriental desert begins. The towns of Kebili and Douz are also located south of the lake. The lake can be crossed by foot and even by car, but this is very dangerous since the salt crust isn't always too firm. Chott el Djerid was used as a filming location for the Star Wars series, among others. 'Chott' is the word used in Tunisia for lakes. But this lake is a dry salt lake in the summer, although before and after the hot summer there is still some water left in this lake. The trip is highly recommended as it's very interesting to see. Especially when the sun shines on the salty surface and the heat reflects an illusion of water. Here you can also find little stands where people sell the desert roses and quartz stones. You can even find these quartz stones along the lake.
