Where to go in Chad

The sweeping plains and beautiful landscapes allow you to forget the conflict that once plagued Chad. The thrilling adventures and experiences of this virtually unexplored country are in abundance and Zakouma National Park in particular provides a wildlife safari experience that is truly unforgettable.

A large number of wildlife species call Chad home, and sightings of elephant, lion, rhino, giraffe and hippo are becoming more common although still often not habituated to the presence of vehicles. Our itinerary takes you straight to the 3000km2 Zakouma National Park which is a safe haven for many different species of wildlife throughout Central and West Africa, after the vast amount of poaching and habitat loss that has taken place in previous years.

With sublime scenic views and scattering stampeding herds of wildlife, Chad is a country that guarantees an unforgettable visit.

Zakouma National Park

Zakouma National Park, located in the south of Chad, is one of the most heavily protected areas in Africa and spans over 3000km2 of parkland. Established in the 1950’s to counter giraffe poaching and other wildlife declines, Zakouma fast became a haven for growing numbers of endangered wildlife. Today, Zakouma is successfully protecting a variety of species including, elephant, giraffe, roan antelope and Lelwel’s hartebeest and has witnessed an increase in buffalo numbers from just 220 animals in 1986 to over 10,000 today. Zakouma National Park was opened in the 1950’s to provide a refuge for the wildlife populations who were, and still are, at risk from poaching. There are around 66 mammal species in the park, including 50 percent of the world's population of Kordofan giraffe and the Central African Savannah buffalo. Predators, herbivores and primates inhabit the park with a variety being seen on game drives; if you are lucky you may catch sight of the resident lion pride or even an elusive leopard or two…

A diverse range of bird species reside within the park, with a total of 388 recorded, including some 40 raptor species. The wetlands form part of the RAMSAR site “Inundation Plains of Bahr Auok and Salamat”, which is one of the largest in the world, and acts as a breeding area for the birds.

The threatened species found at Zakouma are diverse, from the black-crowned crane to the African elephant. In 2002, there were over 4,350 elephants in Zakouma, but this plummeted to just 545 by 2011. Since then, populations have begun to increase once more as a result of the work of the resident rangers. The black-crowned crane population is also rich within Zakouma National Park as their habitat outside of the parklands has been destroyed in many areas.

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