For this travel we combine two neighboring countries: Chad and the Central African Republic. Both of these destinations are very different in what they have to offer, so expect a very diverse programme with a lot to offer: beautiful rocky structures in the Ennedi Plateau, plains of sands and the nomadic culture of Chad, the giant elephant herd of Zakouma National Park and the deep jungle of the Dzanga Sangha National Park with gorilla tracking and bush elephants.
Our travel commences in Chad, which is home to some of the most remote and beautiful deserts in the word. Its vast deserts are inhabited by charismatic and colorful nomadic tribes. Chad is a completely different experience than anything you might have experienced in the rest of Africa and traveling to Chad is a very rewarding experience. We have a wonderful team in Chad who has been doing tours since a few decades and know the country like the palm of their hand. This tour will take you to Ennedi Plateau, Guelta D’Archei and Zakouma National Park. We will then make our way down to the Central African Republic and continue our way in one of the greenest and impenetrable countries in all of Africa. After a stop in Bangui we will charter a private plane and go to the Dzanga Sangha Park, one of the most beautiful, yet unknown parks in Africa.
In Chad you were watching giraffes and lions in the savanna and meeting the nomadic tribes of the deserts, but in the Central African Republic you’ll be tracking gorillas, viewing mammals such as bush elephants, bongos, sitatungas and others from a viewing platform and even stand eye in eye with a pangolin. We will also meet the mysterious Ba’ka tribe who will introduce you to their forest ways.
Please allow a few buffer days in Bangui in case of any hold ups on the road. We are not responsible for you missing your flight, due to bad planning!
Itinerary: N’djamena – Ennedi – Zakouma – Bangui – Dzanga Sangha
Note that the itinerary can change, especially the order of the activities in Dzanga Sangha.
Day 1: N’djamena
Meet and greet at the airport and transfer to your hotel.
Day 2 and 3: N’djamena
We will pass Massaguet and Massakory today, the savanna is slowly disappearing and making way for yellow grass and sand. You can see wildlife such as gazelles and jackals roaming the area.
Day 4 to 7: Ennedi
Before heading to the Ennedi mountains we will make a stop at the market of Kalait.
In Ennedi we will have several rock formations out of sandstone to admire. They are formed by wind erosion, creating unique shapes. We will make time to visit some ancient rock art and burial sites. You will meet the Tubu nomads with their camels on their way to the wells. The most beautiful, and most famous, stop is the Guelta d’Archei which is formed around a waterhole, attracting shepards who come with their camels to let them feast on the water. The Guelta also is home to the Saharan crocodile.
Day 8 – 9: Mongo
After Ennedi we’ll return to Kalait and will then continue through Arada, Biltine and finally Abeche and then Mongo.
Day 10: Mongo – Am Timam
A full day drive to Am Timan, close to the gate of Zakouma.
Day 11 – 12: Zakouma National Park
Zakouma National Park is one of the most successful projects of African Parks and home to the biggest elephant herd in the world and also a stronghold for the Kordofan Giraffe. The park has magnificent vistas and there’s a beautiful mobile camp where we’ll be staying true glamping style for the next two days. We’ll be on the lookout for animals such as elephants, giraffes, lions and gazelles.
Day 13: Am Timan – Dinaba
Long day of driving today to Dinaba or Sido, the last two towns before the border between Chad and the Central African Republic.
Day 14: Dinaba – Sido – Moyen Sido – Batangafo – Bouca
We will continue from Dinaba to Sido, where we will go through immigration and then cross the border from Chad to the Central African Republic to the village of Moyen Sido. We will drive from Sido to Batangafo and from Batangafo to Bouca or similar and we will stay in very basic accommodation for the night.
Day 15: Bouca – Damara – Bangui
We will drive from Bouca to Bangui, passing Damara, we will then drop you off in Bangui.
Day 16: Bangui
Today is a buffer day in case of any holdups, you can use this to rest in the comfort of your hotel.
Day 17: Bangui – Bayanga (Dzanga Sangha) by plane
We’ll leave somewhere between 9 and 10 from the international airport to the airstrip near the village of Bayanga. From there we’ll have a beautiful drive to Sangha Lodge in the Dzanga Sangha Park. Today we’ll take you on the Sangha River to enjoy the beauty of the rainforest.
Day 18: Dzanga Sangha – Gorilla Tracking
For our first day in the Dzanga Sangha park we’ll go gorilla tracking. We’ll search for one of the three habituated gorilla groups and if we’re lucky we can find them within an hour, although it can also take a few hours. We’ll take a rapid covid-test before and we ask you to bring a mask.
Day 19: Dzanga Bai at Dzanga Sangha
We will spend the day on a viewing platform next to Dzanga Bai, a large clearing in the forest rich in minerals and water which attracts hundreds of animals every day such as elephants, buffaloes, bongos, sitatungas and red river hogs.
Day 20: Agile Mangabey at Dzanga Sangha
We’re going to track a group of agile mangabeys who are at times even up to 150 members. Walking among them while they do their everyday thing is a very impressive experience. During our walk you’ll also see other animals such as bongos, duikers, sitatungas, buffaloes, elephants and many birds.
Day 21: Ba’ka net hunting at Dzanga Sangha
On your last day in Dzanga Sangha you’ll go net hunting with the Ba’ka tribe who will teach you everything about their traditional ways. Enjoy your last night in the Dzanga Sangha paradise tonight!
Day 22: Bayanga – Bangui by plane
After breakfast we’ll hop on our charter plane from Bayanga to Bangui, where our team will wait for you to bring you to your hotel. End of services. Includes:
– Transport throughout the whole trip
– Private flight Bayanga – Bangui (return)
– Accommodation in N’djamena and Bangui in 3 or 4 star hotel (except on the last night)
– Airport transfers
– Camping in Chad: full-board
– Full-board lodge stay with activities in Dzanga Sangha
– Professional guiding team in both countries
Doesn’t include:
– International flights
– Visa
– PCR-tests
It is of course possible to start in Bangui, do Dzanga Sangha, then drive from Bangui over the border with Chad by car, where you will be awaited by our team to bring you to Zakouma, Ennedi and finally fly out from N’djamena, Chad.
