- Duration: 19 Days (approx.)
- Location: Ndjamena
- Product code: tibetichad
The Quest of the Tibesti Mountains
This travel goes three weeks deep in Chad’s untamed north. Starting from the capital N'Djamena in a 4x4 convoy and straight into the raw Sahara. You’re not just crossing desert—you’re threading the ancient caravan routes that once linked West Africa to the Mediterranean, chasing the volcanic skyline of the Tibesti Mountains, a UNESCO-listed fortress of black lava and rust-red canyons that rises like a lost continent from the sand sea. This is the land of the Teda and Toubou, camel-herding nomads who still measure distance in wells and seasons, and of prehistoric artists who etched giraffes and warriors onto stone 12,000 years ago. Expect long, sun-baked drives, nights under a ceiling of stars, and landscapes that flip from palm-fringed oases to moon-like crater fields. It’s rugged, remote, and real—no tour buses, no gift shops, just Chad at its most unfiltered.
Tibesti Mountains Tour Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrival in N'Djamena
Land in N’Djamena and settle into your hotel. Quick briefing over cold drinks, then crash early, tomorrow the road starts.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Not included
Day 2 – N'Djamena to Mao
Head north from N'Djamena toward Massakory on the only paved stretch, already deep in Sahel scenery. Pass through the Kanem Region en route.
Accommodation: Camping
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 – Mao exploration
Spend the morning in Mao, historic capital of the Kanem sultanate, admiring white limestone Sudanese-style buildings. Afternoon departure.
Accommodation: Camping
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 – Desert crossing toward Zouar
Leave Mao and start the big Sahara traverse along the Angamma cliff, pushing toward the base of the Tibesti range.
Accommodation: Camping
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 – Approach Zouar
Continue the track; camp in the evening near Zouar, once home to the Derdè, the Toubou’s supreme political and spiritual leader.
Accommodation: Camping
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 – Climb to Trou au Natron
The route ascends over vast pumice fields left by ancient Tibesti volcanoes, heading for Trou au Natron.
Accommodation: Camping
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 – Trou au Natron caldera
Hike down into the volcanic crater, dropping 700 m in elevation. Full day to explore the salt flats and geology.
Accommodation: Camping
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8 – Descent to Bardai
Slow descent from Trou au Natron through the Oudinger gorges. Stop at the “Homme de Gonoa” rock formation, then reach Bardai via a green oasis.
Accommodation: Camping
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9 – Bardai to Zoumri
Follow the lush Enneri Zoumri valley lined with acacias and tamarisks, alternating with rocky, rugged sections.
Accommodation: Camping
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10 – Zoumri to Yebbi Bou
Track along the Yebbiguè gorges to the hidden “cachee” oasis of Yebbi Bou, known for its traditional Tubu stone houses.
Accommodation: Camping
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11 – Yebbi Bou to Gouro track
Cross varied terrain—arid plateaus, grassy steppes, and steep stony paths—heading toward Gouro.
Accommodation: Camping
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 12 – Arrival at Gouro
Reach Gouro, a small Toubou oasis with palm groves and a historic caravan crossroads linking Abéché to Libya.
Accommodation: Camping
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 13 – Gouro to Ounianga Lakes
Leave Gouro and drive south to the UNESCO-listed Ounianga Lakes region.
Accommodation: Camping
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 14 – Ounianga Lakes exploration
Full day visiting Ounianga Kebir, Ounianga Serir, and Buku lakes—palm-ringed waters emerging from multicolored sandstone cliffs.
Accommodation: Camping
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 15 – Ounianga to Bir Kora
Depart the lakes, heading south-southwest along the Bir Kora trail toward Wadi Doum oasis.
Accommodation: Camping
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 16 – Bir Kora to Kalait
Continue to Way oasis, the Bichagara rock-painting site, and Wadi Doum, before reaching Kalait—the main market town in Ennedi.
Accommodation: Camping
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 17 – Kalait to Bathandjenna
Stock up in Kalait, pass the abandoned village of Oum Chalouba, and cross the Wadi Achim protected area (possible gazelle sightings).
Accommodation: Camping
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 18 – Bathandjenna to Moussoro
Follow Wadi Achim to the dry bed of Bahr el Gazel, ancient outlet of Lake Chad, with seasonal waterways hinting at the region’s wetter past.
Accommodation: Camping
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 19 – Moussoro to N'Djamena
Final off-road stretch along Bahr el Gazel to Massakory, then paved road back to N'Djamena. Hotel check-in; dinner not included. End of tour. It is advised to have a buffer day tomorrow.
Accommodation: Hotel (shared day-use or overnight)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Includes:
- Accommodation / camping as described
- Meals and drinks as per itinerary
- Activities
- Entrance fees
- Guiding
- Transportation
Doesn’t include:
- Meals and drinks not mentioned in the itinerary
- Visa costs
- Flights
“The trip was great, my team of three (Abakar the translator, Oumer the driver, Zakaria the cook) were fantastic. Everything went smoothly from my point of view. The vehicle was comfortable and reliable; and the food on the journey was surprisingly good. I enjoyed the markets en route (especially the one in Aboudeia).”
- Paul Hayes, Professor and PhD Anthropology from Australia, on Expedition
