Chad

The massive country of Chad lies to the north of the Congo Rainforest. Part savannah in the south and part true Sahara Desert to the north, a safari in Chad offers superb diversity and a truly unique experience for intrepid travelers. The game viewing in Chad is unique, varied and exceptional – with abundant watering holes delivering amazing diversity of species in the wetland areas of the south. The arid north then offers a very different safari experience. This diversity of habitat ensures that a safari in Chad is a very unique and diverse experience.

Travel in Chad is generally not easy, so we restrict our movements to charter flights to access the famed Zakouma National Park and to the desert proper at Ennedi. For those that have enjoyed many safaris, a journey to Chad will provide a completely different feel – from the people to different antelope, multi-coloured buffalo herds and an introduction to some West African birds. Zakouma is possibly the largest remaining intact savanna ecosystem that still harbours Africa’s big game. Zakouma is remote, usually hot, but an unforgettable safari! Another reason to consider Zakouma as your next safari destination is the fact that is is a conservation success story and your visit here contributes to the continued success of this initiative.

Situated just south of the Sahara desert and above the fertile rainforest regions, Zakouma is one of the last remaining intact Sudano-Sahelian ecosystems. This extremely important protected area was declared a National Park by the Chadian government in 1963. However, poaching drove a massive decline in the elephant population, from 4,000 in 2002 to just 450 in 2010.

Since African Parks took over management the elephant population stabilized and is now finally on the increase, due to improved management and a more effective anti-poaching strategy. With Kordofan Giraffe, Roan antelope, Tiang, Lelwel (hartebeest) and buffalo populations all on the rise, Zakouma is slowly emerging as the safari connoisseur’s destination of choice. Adjacent communities are also being engaged and with government support, the resurrection of this amazing landscape is underway.

For something out of the ordinary – try Chad.