Visit: N’Djamena – Ennedi Massif (Unesco Heritage) – N’Djamena
November – April
Small Group Departures
7 days/ 6 nights
Accommodation: Hotel in N’Djamena, Serviced Comfortable Camp and Fly Camp
Type of trip: Adventurous
Ennedi – Unique Flora and Fauna in Ecological Oasis
Straddling the Sahelian and the Saharan areas of North-eastern Chad, Ennedi Massif is a water-rich desert landscape thanks to the presence of large ephemeral streams and semi-permanent water pools.
The Massif consists of two immense plateaus composed of highly permeable sedimentary rock restingon a granite basin.
This vast water reservoir gives life to the desert, enabling Ennedi to support an astonishing diversity of species.
Over 525 species of flora have been listed so far, including several endemic species.
The Gueltas, or semi-permanent water pools, are home to numerous fish.
Bird life in the Massif is highly diversified, as the area is a migratory crossroads providing a habitat for at least 199 listed species on their transcontinental movements.
Ennedi has long been a refuge for Saharan wildlife, with species such as addax, oryx, cheetah, Dama and Leptocere gazelles among others present in large numbers until the mid-20th century.
While poaching and conflict almost eradicated some of these species, an exceptional wildlife presence remains: Barbary sheep, Dorcas gazelle, striped hyaena, baboon, patas monkey, caracal (desert lynx) and ratel (honey badger).
Remarkably, a small relic population of crocodiles (Crocodylus suchus) survives in the Archei Guelta, the last known representatives of this species throughout the Sahara.
History of Ennedi
In July 2016, Ennedi Massif was inscribed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in recognition of its unique natural formations and rock art dating back 7,000 years.
The extraordinary history of human occupation dating back to the Neolithic period is recorded through a multitude of preserved archaeological sites, consisting of engravings, rock paintings and mausoleums.
This ancient landscape remains an important resource for two semi-nomadic groups in need of pastures and water for their livestock.
Tremendous opportunity exists to transform the conservation of this life-giving landscape to support people and wildlife in a sustainable way.
Through engagement with the local population, delivery of effective management, infrastructure and law enforcement, and reintroduction of several significant species, the irreplaceable cultural and natural valueof this Eden will be restored.
Highlights
- An epic tour in Chad through remote and breathtaking landscapes
- Locations few western travellers have ever seen
- Stay in semi permanent superior comfort tented camp
- Ennedi - vast mountain range of sandstone sculpted by the wind and sand over millennia into stunning rock formations.
- Land of the Tubu - one of Africa’s most traditional, and least known people. A rare opportunity to meet these shy and secretive people.
- See rock art, dating back thousands of years
- Walk into the Guelta d’Archei, where Tubu bring their huge herds of camels to drink from the only waterhole for miles around
- See the last population of Saharan crocodiles
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