Gerewol Festival in Chad, 6 days in October 2027

A Trip to the Gerewol Festival in Chad with the Wodaabe Nomads

A six-day trip from N’Djamena, with two full days set aside to visit the Wodaabe camps and witness their impressive Gerewol celebrations in the heart of the Sahel.

On this trip to Chad’s Gerewol festival, we get a glimpse into the world of the nomadic Wodaabe herders, who undertake impressive transhumance journeys with their entire families, and their spectacular beauty pageant. The preparations, songs, and dances are best understood when we spend time in the camps and observe what happens before and after the celebration.

We left N’Djamena in 4×4 vehicles and headed for the Chari-Baguirmi grazing areas. The families’ locations change, and our local partners help us arrange the meetings. There, next to the nomadic camps, we set up our tents and organize our travel logistics.

It’s a short but intense and exciting expedition that amazes our travelers every year

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.

During each rainy season and until the start of the dry season in October, numerous nomadic Wodaabe families gather in the areas around Dourbali and Massenya. These families belong to the two main Wodaabe clans in Chad: the Soudousoukaia and the NDjapto. It is during this time, just before they disperse across central and southern Chad, that the Gerewol ceremonies take place—a spectacular and colorful beauty contest held in the heart of the Sahel. It is a unique opportunity to forge bonds, find a partner, and socialize before going their separate 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.