Trip to the Gerewol festival in Chad
Trip to Chad for the impressive Gerewol Festival in October 2026
After landing in N’Djamena and spending the first night, we will travel to the pasture area of Chari Baguirmi in the middle of the Sahel. With the help of our local partners, we will find the remote nomadic camps of the Wodaabe families who will perform the Gerewol ceremony, which we will attend for two full days.
We will return to the capital of Chad on the fifth day of the trip to rest and spend the night in a comfortable hotel before flying back home the next day. A short but intense and interesting trip for travelers who wish to experience one of the most impressive events in the Sahel. A spectacular beauty contest performed by the Wodaabe nomads.
Wodaabe Nomads
The Wodaabe are an indomitable people who live by and for their cattle. Faithful to their traditions, they carry in their blood the love for the freedom offered by the nomadic life and the open spaces through which they roam.
In each rainy season and until the beginning of the dry season in October, the numerous nomadic Wodaabe families concentrate around Dourbali and Massenya. These families belong to the two main Wodaabe clans of Chad: the Soudousoukaia and the N’Djapto. It is at this time, just before dispersing in central and southern Chad, that the Gerewol ceremonies take place, an impressive and colorful beauty contest that takes place in the middle of the Sahel. A unique occasion to establish ties, find a partner and make relationships before parting ways.
Visit our blog to learn more about one of the last nomadic peoples of Africa.
Living with the Wodaabe nomads
Equally as attractive as attending the different dances that take place every afternoon and evening of the Gerewol, is the coexistence with the Wodaabe in the nomadic camps. Early in the morning and when the heat begins to subside the traveler will enjoy walking among the Wodaabe families seeing their incredible way of life and also attending the preparations for the Gerewol. The boys and girls prepare and make up all day long to look very handsome in the dances. We will be able to observe how they make the colored dyes, how they chat and interact, in short, how this fascinating Wodaabe people live.
Planned itinerary for the trip to Gerewol
Travel only Festival Gerewol of Chad. Possibility to continue trip to Ennedi
Day 1: Arrival in NDJ
Transfer to hotel by cab
Hotel Irrisor
Depending on arrival time in NDJ, free day to visit the capital or relax at the hotel. Passport will be handed over to the tour organizer for registration at the police.
Day 2 NDJ – Nomadic camps
Normally our passports are ready first thing in the morning. Around 9 o’clock we start our journey to the Dorbali or Massenya regions. There is no fixed place to meet the nomads. In 2022 and especially in 2024 there was a lot of water and it was very difficult to get in and out of the camps. It rained and there was a lot of mud. They can be closer or further away from the capital depending on the pastures each year. You have to calculate between 7 and 12 hours but in 2024 it took us a full day to travel 190 km.
We hope to arrive in the afternoon.
Camping
Days 3 and 4 GEREWOL and see the nomadic life Wodaabe
The festival and dance take place in the afternoon and evening. The last day is all night. During the day our activity will be to have breakfast at 6 am and visit their camps. We can take as many pictures as we want. At noon they start preparing for the festival, which is also very interesting.
When the heat drops, the dances start.
At noon it is very hot and we usually stay under a tree.
2 full days with the wodaabes and Gerewol
Camping
Day 5 Wodaabes Camps – Yamena
We will pick up our camp and return to NDJ.
Depending on the distance of the camps, we could arrive in NDJ at noon or in the afternoon. The rest of the group heading to Ennedi will continue.
Hotel Irrisor
Day 6 N’Djamena, end of the trip
End of the trip in the morning after breakfast, transfer to the airport.
Full trip to the Gerewol festival in Chad, Ennedi massif
If you want to do the complete route and after attending the Gerewol Festival you want to continue your trip to the north of Chad visiting Ennedi, here you have all the information: Gerewol of Chad, Ennedi massif.
