Our Chad holidays and tours take you to one of our favourite countries and they epitomise what we are all about. An enormous country that has been out of bounds for so long, Chad redefines the notion of intrepid travel. Travel here pushes boundaries like they’ve never been pushed before.
With a focus on the north of the country, our holidays and tours to Chad visit the stunning Ennedi Mountains, home to the enigmatic Tubu people, bizarre rock formations and a surprising array of wildlife. Further north still, the Tibesti Mountains are the holy grail of Saharan travel and home to the desert’s highest mountain. Here you can trek to the bottom of the Trou au Natron, a collapsed volcanic crater. Or mingle with different ethnic groups in colourful and chaotic markets. Wildlife enthusiasts should head south to Zakouma National Park, renowned for its huge herds of elephants.
But Chad’s showstopper is, without doubt, the Gerewol festival. Each year the semi-nomadic Wodaabe people gather for a week of incredible celebrations that is one of Africa’s most spectacular sights.
Top highlights on Chad holidays and tours
- Hike to the Guelta d’Archei to watch Tubu nomads bring their camels to the waterhole
- Search for the ‘mega herd’ of elephants in Zakouma National Park
- Arrive at the rim of the Trou au Natron, for incredible views of the crater below
- Witness one of Africa’s most traditional ceremonies, the Gerewol festival of the Wodaabe
- Camp in pristine desert landscapes, with incredible views of the night sky – there’s no light pollution in the Sahara!
Wracked by conflict for many years, this is a land of majestic deserts, jagged volcanic mountains, vast sand seas and stunning oases. Chad holidays aren’t for everyone. With little in the way of infrastructure outside the capital N’Djamena, these aren’t the easiest of journeys, often with long days on the road. And forget about a shower at the end of the day. But imagine setting up your camp for the night amidst the dunes, far from anything resembling civilisation. Enjoy being among the handful of elite travellers who have ever made it this far. It really doesn’t get much better than this.
Tours in Chad feel like expeditions, striking out into remote regions where visitors are rare, roads bad, and experiences nothing if not authentic. There is no tourist trail here, no well trodden track, and travelling here can feel a bit like stepping back in time – bar of course our trusty Landcruisers.
The rewards of travel in Chad are great and more than make up for the challenges. Imagine cresting a dune to meet a camel caravan led by Tubu nomads, on their way to the saltpans, or watching the sunset over the exquisitely beautiful Ounianga Lakes. Not to mention witnessing the elaborate courtship rituals of young Wodaabe men, deep in the trackless bush of the Sahel. These are no everyday experiences, and you’ll find no busloads of tourists here.
When to go on holiday to Chad
Chad is a large country with different climate zones, from the arid desert of the north to the tropical savannah of the south. The rains fall between April and September, making many roads impassable, and so the best time to visit Chad is outside of this period, in the dry season.
Culture
Chad has two official languages, French and Chadian Arabic, which is slightly different from the Arabic spoken in other countries. Besides this the various different ethnic groups also have their own languages. Almost no-one will speak English although of course your guide will. You will find it easier to communicate with people if you know at least a smattering of French.
Roughly half of the population are Muslim, and the country is split along a north / south divide, with Islam holding sway in the north, and both Christianity and indigenous beliefs in the south.
Start planning your Chad trip
Check out our small group tours to the Chad: The Gerewol Festival, The Gerewol Festival and the Ennedi Mountains, Expedition to the Ennedi, Untamed Tibesti and Zakouma Adventure. Although many of our trips are small group adventures with set departures, as a bespoke operator, we can design and create trips to suit any traveller, from solos to larger group. If you would like to find out more about tailor-made holidays to Chad and our group tours, call us on 01473 328546 or email us via our contact page. We’d love to hear from you.
