Tibesti, a separate reality

Duration: 23 days Europe-Europe, 21 days of land services
Minimum number of participants: 8

 

We were the first, back in 1992, to open up to tourism the fantastic world that is the Tibesti: its imposing volcanic peaks were the backdrop for a pioneering journey into a wilderness devoid of any form of tourism

Today, many years later, it remains a highlight of our programme. It is a journey for true desert enthusiasts in an imposing and fascinating setting whose beauty and uniqueness leaves room for intense and profound emotion.

From N’Djamena northwards along the Bahr el Ghazal to the northernmost predesert plains of Koro Toro, a region where “Toumai” (Sahelanthropus tchadensis), a hominid dating back more than 7 Ma, was found. After passing the Erg du Djourab, we arrive at the Saharan oasis of Faya Largeau, the capital of the Borkou region and the largest millstone in Chad.

Across dunes, multicoloured deposits of fossilised seaweed and orderly palm groves around which small Tubu villages cluster, we reach the Zouar and Zouarké taxa.

We turn sharply northwards along a difficult track that cuts through the enormous lava flows of Pic Tousside. At an altitude of 2200 metres, the enormous caldera of the Trou au Natron appears, 6 kilometres in diameter and 700 metres deep. Still to the north, crossing the Gonoa and Oudinguer enneri, site of important ancient Holocene graffiti including “the man of Gonoa”, elephants and giraffes, we reach the village of Bardaï, the region’s capital.

Along the Zumri valley, you pass the volcanic complexes of Tarso Voon and Tarso Toon, to the mountain villages of Yebbi Suma and Yebbi Bou, inhabited by Teda nomads in their characteristic huts.

We cross the Kozen Pass to the east to descend into the region of the same name, where more sandstone ‘tassels’ radically change the landscape. We are on the south-eastern edge of the Tibesti and here the imposing Emi Koussi, the highest mountain in the Sahara, appears to us.

We reach the small village of Gouro and continue towards the lake of Ouanianga Kebir. Then southwards to reach the north-western edge of Ennedi and the Bichagara region, Chad’s ‘Monument Valley’. After passing the town of Kalait, the large markets of Abeché and Guerà enliven the return to N’Djamena and conclude this long and complete expedition.

4×4 vehicles
1 night in hotel, 20 in tent

Tour leader Spazi d’Avventura

From	Departure	Return to N’Djamena	Price
Europe	February 09, 2025	March 03, 2025	€ 4.950

Room supplement and single tent: € 160
Single tent supplement: € 100
Paperwork administration : € 80
Medical insurance and baggage

International flights
Visa: € 180
First and last dinner in N’Djamena