Ennedi Plateau, Guelta D'Archei and Zakouma

Not only is Chad one of the most remote and beautiful deserts in the world, it remains almost completed untouched. Chad continues to be a hidden jewel on this planet that is yet to inundated with tourists and hordes of people. 

The people of Chad are some of the most fascinating, charismatic, genuine, and also mysterious on Earth. Their nomadic spirits, rich culture, and festivals are experiences that are unparalleled and offer a true once in a lifetime experience - unless of course, you want to come back!

Though getting to Chad can be a mission an adventure in itself, once you are here, the adventure and cultural experiences are astounding. 

This tour offers incredible examples of the landscapes of Chad, the wildlife in Zakouma Park, locals, lifestyle, the most famous guelta in the world - Guelta D'Archei - and much, much more. 

DAY 1: 

Today you will arrive in N'Djamena and will be met and greeted at the airport and transferred to your hotel.

DAY 2 - 3: 

This morning we will head east from N'Djamena through Massaguet and Massakory off the tarmac onto a dirt road. Here you will notice the landscape is a mixture of savannah and Sahel, and it becomes arid as we progress. The vegetation you see begins to disappear as we travel the vast plains often covered in yellow grass, a remnant of the rainy season. 

Wildlife in this region is good and you have the opportunity to see Dorcas gazelles and jackals. The majority of our route today will follow the dried up riverbed of the Bah el Ghazal where remains of the oldest known hominid have been found.

We will set up camp here in the heart of the wilderness for two nights. 

DAY 4 - 5 - 6 - 7: Kalait - Ennedi - Archei - Kalait: 

Firstly, we will stop in the village of Kalait and experience its busy market before driving into the majestic Ennedi Mountains. Here, we will spend our time exploring the abundance of rock formations - made of sandstone. The rock formations are a result of wind and sand eroding the sandstone into wonderful and unique shapes. While we are here, we will also visit rock art sites that are hidden amongst overhanging rocks. These sites depict cows, camels, and warriors. Here you may also have a chance to see an ancient burial site that very little is known about. 

We are now in the domain of the Tubu, and it is here we can expect to meed nomads on their way to the pasture with their camels, or they could be drawing water at wells. The highlight of these few days, however, is definitely to Guelta d'Archei, the only permanent waterhole in the region. The famous watering hole is situated amongst a towering gorge and often has hundreds of camels drinking from it. The noise is also quite amusing as you can hear the bellowing camels echoing around the rock walls. 

The Guelta is also home to one of the last populations of Saharan crocodiles. With a bit of luck, you will be able to see these very large creatures. Over the next 3 nights, we have chosen the most beautiful areas of the region to set up camp and enjoy nature. 

DAY 8 - 9: Kalait - Arada - Abeche - Mongo

As we leave the Ennedi, we will first stop at Kalait to pick up supplies. Then we will head south taking a different route, traveling through a more "African" landscape, with settles villages and mud huts along the way. We will pass through the towns of Arada and Biltine before reaching Abeche. Abeche is the largest town we have seen since leaving N'Djamena. From here, we will head west where the lands are more populated. 

DAY 10: 

From Mongo, Guaver's capital, we will take the dirt road back in the direction of Am Timam - the track that leads into the national park a few kilometers before the town.

DAY 11 - 12: Zakouma

For the next two days we will be at Camp Tinga. Situated just south of the Sahara Desert and above fertile rainforest regions, Zakouma National Park has become a safe haven for Central and West African wildlife including the Kordofan Giraffe and elephant. Previously, the elephant had experienced a 95% loss from rampant poaching, this was prior to the African Parks' involvement. In 2010, poaching drove a massive decline in the elephant population, from 4,000 to just 450. 

African Parks took over the management of the park in 2010, and due to effective law enforcement measures and community networks, poaching has been practically eliminated with only a few individuals lost in the last six years. There were over 500 elephants counted in 2016, the first increase seen in over a decade.

DAY 13 - 14: Zakouma - Mongo - N'Djamena

We will leave the park and head in the direction of Am Timan to reach the town of Mongo. Mongo is the tenth largest city located about 450 km from the capital, N'Djamena. The town is very lively and beautiful area of Guerra. It is known for its granite peaks (the Queen Guerra), traditional houses, and rich market. 

Once we arrive in N'Djamena, we will transfer to the hotel room where you have an opportunity to shower and have dinner before your transfer to the airport.

END OF SERVICES. 

INCLUDED:

- Invitation for visa application

- Airport transfers

- 1 Night Hotel La Residence + shared room for daily use on the last day

- 4WDs fully equipped with drivers and fuel

- Tents, kitchen, and camp equipment + mineral water

- Camp Meals

- All necessary papers and permissions

- Tinga Camp in Zakouma

- Zakouma - 2 game drives per day

NOT INCLUDED:

- Visas and flights

- Travel insurance

- Other beverages

- Sleeping bag

- Restaurant meals

- Hotel outside of N'Djamena unless mentioned in the program

- Laundry

** Cost is based on a shared basis. Private accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.