The taxonomic position of a novel actinomycete, strain SA152(T), isolated from a sample of Algerian Saharan soil, was determined using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. The strain produced abundant aerial mycelium and fragmented substrate mycelium on most media tested. Chemotaxonomically and phylogenetically, the strain was related to the members of the genus Saccharothrix. Results of 16S rRNA gene sequence comparison revealed that strain SA152(T) shared the highest degree of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with Saccharothrix xinjiangensis NBRC 101911(T) (99.3 %) and Saccharothrix texasensis NRRL B-16134(T) (98.9 %). However, DNA-DNA hybridization studies showed only 16.2 % relatedness with S. xinjiangensis DSM 44896(T) and 33.9 % relatedness with S. texasensis DSM 44231(T). Based upon genotypic and phenotypic differences from other members of the genus, a novel species, Saccharothrix saharensis sp. nov., is proposed, with SA152(T) ( = DSM 45456(T) = CCUG 60213(T)) as the type strain.