Zouaves saw action each time during first part of colonisation of algeria (1830-1870) . After 1875, as zouaves weren't engaged privates as before ( conscripts from France and algeria) , they were more "sovereignty" troops than first line troops like FFL, joyeux , turcos etc .... ! But they saw action in Tunisia (1881) south west algeria (1886 to 1910) and marocco from 1908 to 1925. None in sahara were it was only turcos , spahis , "troupes colonial" (southern sahara, soudan, tchad) and saharian troops (raised with turco).
best regards
paco