Travel to ChadEnnedi and lakes of Ounianga
Chad, one of the last frontiers. A destination for unconditional adventure lovers who already know other parts of the African continent and want to go beyond, living a fascinating travel experience through one of the most spectacular landscapes on the planet, which we guarantee will leave you impressed.
Moreover, in Chad, one of the least visited countries in the world, tourism has not yet emerged and it remains a territory almost completely isolated from the outside world, where the traveler will witness ancient ways of life, which will soon disappear.
We will travel to the Ennedi Massif, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Ounianga Lakes, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, considered one of the most beautiful deserts in the world.
Along the way we will meet fascinating ethnic groups, many of them nomadic, such as Arabs, Tubus or Fulani. We will cross impressive chains of dunes such as the Mourdi depression and we will stop at some wells that we have located on the route, where we can observe the hard life of the desert and the steppe.
In all probability we will be able to contemplate the mythical salt caravans guided by Anakassa and Gorane shepherds.
Ennedi Massif: natural and cultural landscape
In the northeast of the country, the Ennedi sandstone massif has been sculpted over time by water and wind.
Ennedi is a plateau with canyons and valleys that present a spectacular landscape marked by cliffs, dunes, natural arches and peaks. In the larger canyons, the permanent presence of water plays an essential role in the ecosystem of the Ennedi massif, sustaining flora and fauna as well as human life.
Hundreds of images have been painted and carved on the rocky surface of caves, canyons and shelters, presenting one of the largest assemblages of rock art in the Sahara.
For three or four full days we will travel through this great territory visiting the most impressive places. After numerous trips in Chad, in Kumakonda we have located the best places to set up our camp.
Hiking the Ennedi massif
The impressive value of the Ennedi Massif is due to the combination of three aspects: natural beauty, relictual bio-diversity and rock art. And although the Ennedi Massif is usually visited in 15 to 20 different locations concentrated in a space similar to the Community of Madrid, much of this territory (more than 5 times larger than the Spanish region) known as the Eden of the Sahara, is still to be explored.
We will stop at places like the Hubaike sandbanks, the Uimina peaks, the Djoulia and Aloba Arch, the Bachikele and Bechike canyons, the great dune of Chigou, theNoi valley or the Oyo labyrinth. These are not the only places we visit, there are many more.
Archei’s turn
The highlight of this area is undoubtedly the Guelta d’Archei, the only place where water is found all year round. It is located in a spectacular and imposing rocky gorge where it is common to find hundreds of camels drinking. Their roar echoes off the rocky walls.
Ounianga Lakes
The Ounianga Lakes include eighteen interconnected lakes in the extremely arid Ennedi region of the Sahara Desert, covering an area of 62,808 ha. It constitutes an exceptional natural landscape of great beauty, with striking colors and shapes.
The saline and freshwater lakes are supplied by groundwater and are located in two groups 40 km apart.
Ounianga Kebir comprises four lakes, the largest of which, Yoan, has an area of 358 ha and is 27 m deep. Its highly saline waters contain only algae and some microorganisms.
Remnants of the Bir Kora war
One of the most surprising aspects when we travel through the different battlefields in northern Chad is the state in which the remains of the machinery of the so-called Toyota War are found.
It is incredible that the ironwork, which has been abandoned in the desert for more than 30 years, is perfectly clean, polished and smooth, even the ones with shrapnel in them. You really have the sensation of being in a set.
On our trip to Ennedi and Ounianga Lakes we will travel through some of these sceneries.
Travel to Chad with Kumakonda
Our extensive knowledge of Chad allows us to provide the best possible routes in the country.
On our trips to Chad you will have at your disposal comfortable and spacious South African tents, charging equipment for electrical appliances, Toyota Land Cruiser vehicles in good condition or new, in which we will travel 3 passengers plus driver for each car and many other details that you can enjoy during the trip, but above all, you will also have the most expert guides in Chad who will accompany you from Spain.
