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Where to Go in Chad
Zakouma National Park
Zakouma National Park, located in the south of Chad, is one of the most heavily protected areas in Africa and spans over 3000km2 of parkland. Established in the 1950’s to counter giraffe poaching and other wildlife declines, Zakouma fast became a haven for growing numbers of endangered wildlife.
Today Zakouma National Park is one of African Parks Conservation major success stories. Located between the Sahar Desert and the tropical rainforests of the Congo basin, Zakouma is successfully protecting a variety of species including, elephant, giraffe, roan antelope and Lelwel’s hartebeest and has witnessed an increase in buffalo numbers from just 220 animals in 1986 to over 10,000 today.
Some highlights of Zakouma include:
· An increase in elephant population by 40% since the year 2010
· 50% of the worlds Kordoffan giraffe population is now found in the park of Zakouma
· The education and environment hub receives over 6,500 visit from local residents annually in order to gain and understand first hand experience of wildlife and conservation
· An increase in local Chadian tourism to over 2,540 day visitors to the park in 2024
African Parks is in partnership with the Government of Chad and the local communities in order to ensure the protection and growth of this wilderness region. The success of this partnership was validated when in 2017 the Chad government and African Parks signed an MOU to also mange the Greater Zakouma Ecosystem; this was renewed in 2022.
Where to Stay in Zakouma – you really have two places to stay in Zakouma. Firstly the lovely Camp Nomade run by African Parks. Secondly the more ‘old school’ Camp of Camp Tinga. Both Camps offer rustic comfort in the remote African bush affording you truly exceptional access to Zakouma National Park.
Ennedi Natural & Cultural Reserve
Ennedi Natural and Cultural Reserve, located in the Sahara region in the northeast of Chad, is a natural sandstone masterpiece spanning an extensive 50,000 km2 of a sculpted landscape marked by cliffs, natural arches, mushroom rocks, giant labyrinths, and water catchments. Labelled as An Eden in the Sahara, the reserve lies within the Ennedi Massif, a mountainous refuge that was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2016 for its unique natural formations and globally significant rock art. Dating back 7,000 years this rock art, comprising mostly petroglyphs, is a testament to the historic role nomadic people have played in this landscape.
Today, despite the harsh climate and environment, as many as 30,000 community members move through Ennedi every year and are dependent on the resources the reserve provides. Visiting Ennedi is truly exploring a road less travelled! Discover more about Ennedi Reserve here.
Some highlights of Ennedi include:
· Formally declared as a UNESCO Heritage site in 2016
· One of the most famous Gueltas in the world – Guelta d’Archei – exists in the Ennedi
· It is a key location for archaeological sites with over a thousands sites having been recorded and more being discovered annually
Ennedi is one of our favourite destinations and – whilst hard to get to – is a true wilderness paradise. Combine Ennedi with Zakouma National Park, or even the rainforests of CAR making for a truly unique African adventure.
Explore the renowned National Parks of Chad including Zakouma National Park and Ennedi Reserve with the Chad experts.
Where to Stay in Ennedi – the best place to stay in Ennedi is the stunning Warda Camp. A seasonal camp that is run by the Rava family and affords amazing access to this harsh but stunning region and taps into decades of knowledge of having lived and work in this desert region.