Location
Chad – Ennedi Desert
Ennedi Exploration
Details
8 DAYS FROM 109000 PP
Best time to go
NOV – MAR : SMALL GROUP OR EXCLUSIVE
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Ennedi Exploration
7 Day Warda Camp
There are few places left on Earth that can truly be described as untouched. The Ennedi Desert of Chad is one of them a vast expanse of sandstone massifs, surreal arches, labyrinthine canyons, and ancient rock art that whispers of millennia gone by.
On this journey, you’ll fly far from civilisation and enter a world that feels almost otherworldly. By day, travel through wind-sculpted cathedrals of stone, hidden gueltas where camels gather in their hundreds, and stark desert plains where nomads still follow traditional ways of life. By night, sleep under a dome of stars so bright and unpolluted they seem close enough to touch.
This is not just a safari, this is a desert expedition. Anchored at the welcoming Warda Camp, run by the pioneering Rava family, you’ll enjoy comfort amid the wilderness before venturing further to remote fly-camps that bring you even closer to the Sahara’s raw beauty.
For those who seek adventure, cultural encounters, and landscapes that defy imagination, Ennedi is the journey of a lifetime.
Why You’ll Love This Trip
- Towering Natural Arches – marvel at Aloba Arch, one of the tallest natural stone arches in the world, dwarfing Notre Dame in its shadow.
- The LegeTowering Natural Arches – marvel at Aloba Arch, one of the tallest natural stone arches in the world, dwarfing Notre Dame in its shadow.
- The Legendary Guelta of Archei – witness hundreds of camels watering at this rare desert pool, home to the last Saharan crocodiles.
- Ancient Rock Art – explore caves painted thousands of years ago when the Sahara was green with wildlife.
- True Wilderness – camp beneath billions of stars in complete silence, far from civilisation.
- Cultural Encounters – meet semi-nomadic camel herders who still move with the rhythm of the desert.
- Exclusivity Redefined – with only a handful of travellers here each year, Ennedi remains a secret world of discovery.ndary Guelta of Archei – witness hundreds of camels watering at this rare desert pool, home to the last Saharan crocodiles.
- Ancient Rock Art – explore caves painted thousands of years ago when the Sahara was green with wildlife.
- True Wilderness – camp beneath billions of stars in complete silence, far from civilisation.
- Cultural Encounters – meet semi-nomadic camel herders who still move with the rhythm of the desert.
- Exclusivity Redefined – with only a handful of travellers here each year, Ennedi remains a secret world of discovery.
Your Ennedi Desert Adventure: Day by Day
Day 1 – Arrival in Chad
Touch down in N’Djamena, Chad’s bustling capital. Depending on your arrival time, relax in your hotel or explore the vibrant streets. The contrast between the city and the desert ahead makes this a tantalising prologue to your expedition.
Day 2 – Into the Ennedi Desert
An early transfer takes you to the airport for your flight north. For three hours, look out across endless stretches of desert, salt flats and rocky plateaus until finally descending onto the Archei airstrip. A short drive brings you to Warda Camp, your desert base. After a light lunch and siesta, you set off for your first exploration of the Tokou region, a taste of the otherworldly landscapes that await.
Accommodation: Warda Camp
Day 3 – The Mighty Aloba Arch
Today is your introduction to Ennedi’s monumental landscapes. Travelling by 4x4 through the Bamena region, discover sandstone castles, canyons and dunes before arriving at the staggering Aloba Arch. At 120m high and 77m wide, it is so vast that the Notre Dame cathedral could fit within it. As the sun sets, return to camp for a dinner beneath the desert sky, where a million stars ignite above.
Accommodation: Warda Camp
Day 4 – The Guelta of Archei
Cross dry riverbeds and sandstone formations before reaching the legendary Guelta of Archei. Between towering cliffs, a permanent water pool has for centuries been a lifeline for caravans. Hundreds of camels descend to drink, their calls echoing through the canyon, while elusive Saharan crocodiles lurk in the shadows. It’s one of Africa’s most surreal spectacles. On the way back, pause to admire ancient rock art and the Oyo Labyrinth of stone curtains.
Accommodation: Warda Camp
Day 5 – The Journey North
Leaving Warda behind, your mini-expedition begins. Travel into harsher Saharan landscapes where sand dunes roll endlessly and Bichigara’s stone towers rise from the desert floor like petrified giants. Tonight, camp in the open desert at your first fly-camp, the silence broken only by the crackle of a fire. Few experiences compare to sleeping beneath the stars here.
Accommodation: Fly-Camp
Day 6 – Anoa Oasis
As dawn lights the desert, you continue north. Explore caves with ancient paintings — haunting depictions of giraffes, cattle and hunters that tell of a greener Sahara. By afternoon, arrive at the Anoa Oasis, an improbable splash of life in the barren desert. Palm trees, water and the possibility of wildlife make this a miraculous stop. Tonight, camp once more beneath the stars in the back of beyond.
Accommodation: Fly-Camp
Day 7 – Return to Warda
Turning south, begin the journey back to Warda. Along the way, explore Abayke Mountain and other hidden treasures, with plenty of time to pause for photography, short hikes and moments of quiet reflection. Arriving back at Warda, a final dinner under the desert night closes your adventure in style.
Accommodation: Warda Camp
Day 8 – Farewell to Ennedi
After breakfast, transfer back to the Archei airstrip and board your flight to N’Djamena. Spend the afternoon at your hotel, resting, shopping for crafts, or simply reminiscing about one of the most exclusive desert journeys on Earth.
Accommodation: N’Djamena Hotel
Accommodation Inspiration
Warda Camp
At the edge of the desert, Warda Camp is your comfortable haven. Large Lotus Bell tents offer proper beds, shaded terraces and en-suite wash areas. Meals are freshly prepared, and evenings around the fire are filled with stories, laughter, and stargazing.
Fly-Camps
For two nights you’ll trade comfort for raw beauty. These lightweight desert camps bring you into the heart of the Sahara. With nothing between you and the cosmos, the stars here feel closer than anywhere on Earth.