We’ll have a more detailed itinerary nearer the time, but for now, here’s an idea of how our Zakouma expedition works…

Everyone visiting Chad will fly into N’djamena, the capital city, and spend the first night (and possibly the last night) in the city. There are many good hotels (Hilton, Radisson, Novotel etc) that cater to businessmen and other travellers, and whilst there is no tourism as such, N’djamena is a fascinating destination. In particular, a visit to the local markets and restaurants is a cultural and visual sensation that will be remembered for a long, long time!

After your night in N’djamena, you’ll meet your fellow travellers and fly in a Cessna Caravan the 800 kilometres to the east to Zakouma National Park.

Accommodations

The wonderfully named Camp Nomade is the base for this expedition. It’s a small, tented camp that is erected for three months of the year, and stored away for the rainy season. It’s also owned and managed by Africa Parks, and the proceeds from guest’s safari revenues go directly towards the budget of managing the park.

At the camp, the tents are modelled on the traditional camps of the Sehel region and are filled with vibrant, locally-woven carpets, nomadic bells, and burnished brassware. Inside the eight sleeping tents, there’s a black mosquito net ‘box’, allowing for 360-degree game viewing straight from your bed, and stretch canvas over the ceiling keeps things cool (ish!). Each has a private bathroom, shaded by local grass screens, with a bucket shower, plenty of hot water, and efficient, long-drop loos. Lighting throughout the camp comes from hurricane lanterns, and the food is outstanding – especially considering how far away from civilisation you are! This is the perfect camp for the adventurous, but if you’re looking for a luxurious permanent lodge with gold taps and air-conditioning, then this isn’t the place for you.

Every day on safari in Zakouma is different depending on everyone’s interests and the wildlife sightings of the day; some days will be morning and afternoon game drives, others will be all day extravaganzas with a picnic lunch in the bush.

Wildlife

You might not have heard of it, but that doesn’t mean there’s no wildlife in Zakouma. First up, there are 66 mammal species inside the park, 16 of which are large mammals like the Kordofan giraffe. In fact, an incredible 50% of the entire African population of Kordofan reside in Zakouma. Predator-wise, you’ll find lion, leopard, cheetah, spotted and striped hyena, wild dog, and the ever-elusive civet, serval and caracal. Herbivores are well-represented, with thousands of Central African Savannah buffalo flocking to the water pans, joined by kudu, hartebeest, roan and plenty of dainty antelope. And the birds? Zakouma is one of Africa’s finest birdwatching destinations, and you’ll be able to point your binos at a stonking 388 species! Fluttering amongst them are 40 raptor species, as well as northern carmine bee-eaters, Abyssinian ground hornbills, black-crowned cranes, and the incredible flocks of red-billed queleas, so dense that won’t believe your eyes.

A week later, after the last night at Camp Nomade in Zakouma, you will fly back to N’djamena for a final night before heading home or onwards. Many people choose to combine a week in Chad, with a week in next door Ethiopia – an excellent idea if ever we saw one!