Borkou Citadel and Toubou Village
In the sandstone citadels of Borkou, between ancient salt mines and Toubou villages lost in the immensity of the Sahara.
Duration
17 days
Ideal seasons
Jan, Feb, Mar, Nov, Dec
Style
Expeditions
Comfort
rustique
Travelers
Solo, With friends, Couple
The spirit of travel
This circuit offers us an immersion in the heart of the central Sahara, in the northern part of Faya Largeau, a sandstone ridge that rises to assault the Tibesti. It is a true citadel of rock on the edge of which one can find salt mines, villages of yegue in straw huts, paintings and engravings. These curiosities are in some way lost in the Saharan immensity.
This discovery of Upper Borkou is among the most beautiful itineraries that attract globe-trotters wishing to explore the Sahara. It is an opportunity to walk the most remarkable sites of the entire Borkou region using a mixed formula: 4x4 and hikes without camel. We make small jumps by 4x4 between the sites we visit on foot. During the trip, the head of the agency in person, a native of Faya called Guini, will accompany us. This expedition takes place ideally between November and February, the most clement period to face the extreme temperatures of the Chadian Sahara.
The stages of your journey
Highlights
Day-by-day itinerary
N'Djamena – Faya Largeau
Our English-speaking guide welcomes us at N'Djaména airport and transfers us to a lodge to rest before taking a flight to Faya Largeau.
We settle in at the women's camp.
We can enjoy the morning to rest before lunch.
In the afternoon, we stroll through the market.
Dinner and overnight at the camp.
Faya, Kirdimi – Ourti,
We set off in a 4x4 to reach the Laloua breach where we observe incredible scenery of rocks with strange shapes and small tassiilis.
The journey continues to the large dunes of Ourti.
6 hours of 4x4 per day and 5 hours of hiking
Ourti – Kouroudi
We traverse the tassilis through tortured geology towards Ehi Kouri. We follow trails that are barely marked.
For 3 days, we discover unusual landscapes before reaching the Kouroudi palm grove. Upon arrival, we greet the families and visit the gardens.
3 hours of 4x4 and 8 hours of hiking
We dine and spend the night in the oasis.
Kouroudi – Anni
From the oasis, we head towards the Dowi mountain then pass through the villages of Ani and Orori. We enjoy a wonderful adventure in the heart of Borkou Yala.
Among the attractions to discover, we admire numerous rock paintings and engravings. There are mainly paintings of boats made at a time when the waters of Lake Tchad bathed Borkou, approximately 5,000 years ago. The area is also full of salt works and sandstone citadels.
6 hours of 4x4 and 12 hours of trekking
Anni, Orori – Yarda
We continue our descent towards the south to go to Horum and Kaiser, two jagged tassilis allowing us to still find fortresses with ruins of villages.
We then arrive at the beautiful Yarda palm grove where we have many wonderful encounters. We make sure to visit the paintings at Archana which is located close to the village. We are now 20 km from Faya Largeau.
5 hours of 4x4 driving and 9 hours of hiking
Yarda – Faya Largeau
In the morning, we arrive at Faya and we settle at the Dozanga women's camp.
During the afternoon, we enjoy a visit to the palm grove.
Dinner and night at the camp.
Faya Largeau – N'Djamena
We leave early in the morning to arrive around 1 p.m.
Then we have a rest period.
We dine in town before heading to the airport.
Price per person
This trip can be tailored to your preferences
This itinerary provides an excellent foundation for discovery, but it can be fully customized. Our local advisors build each trip tailored to your budget, dates and preferences.
Not included
- Hotel in N'Djamena and meals
- Tips and beverages
- International flights
Included
- English-speaking support Toumay culinary traveler
- Food
- Camel caravan equipment (camels + tracker + guide)
Practical Information
Registration is considered firm and final after payment of a deposit of 30% of the total price and acceptance of the specific terms of sale.
The balance must be paid no later than 45 days before the departure date.
See our specific terms of sale for full details.
In the event of cancellation by the traveller, the following fees apply:
- Plus de 60 jours avant le départ : 40 % du prix total (acompte retenu)
- Entre 60 et 30 jours avant le départ : 50 % du prix total
- Moins de 30 jours avant le départ : 100 % du prix total
We strongly recommend taking out cancellation insurance. See our specific terms of sale for full details.
The information below concerns travelers who are nationals of the European Economic Area (EEA), Switzerland and Canada traveling to Chad for a tourism stay. Entry rules may change, and we recommend that you verify the information with official authorities before your departure.
Passport
To enter Chad, your passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of entry into the country and have at least two blank pages for immigration stamps.
The document must be in good condition (no damaged, torn or altered pages).
Mandatory visa
Nationals of the European Economic Area, Switzerland and Canada must hold a visa to enter Chad for tourism purposes. There is no visa exemption for these nationalities.
The visa can be obtained:
from the Chad embassy or consulate competent for your area before departure,
in certain cases, on arrival at Hassan Djamous International Airport in N'Djamena (visa on arrival), subject to prior confirmation with Chad authorities, and this option may be subject to conditions.
The authorized stay is generally 30 days, renewable on-site with Chad immigration services.
Authorities may request:
an exit ticket from the territory (return or onward flight),
proof of sufficient financial resources for the duration of your stay,
an invitation or accommodation proof.
Health and vaccinations
Yellow fever vaccination is mandatory to enter Chad. The international vaccination certificate (yellow booklet) will be required on arrival.
Additional vaccinations are strongly recommended by health authorities:
meningitis A, C, Y, W135 (Chad is located in the African meningitis belt),
hepatitis A and B,
typhoid,
rabies depending on planned activities.
Preventive antimalarial treatment (antimalarial prophylaxis) is strongly recommended, as malaria is present throughout the territory. Consult your doctor or an international vaccination center before departure.
Traveling with children
Minors must hold their own valid passport and an individual visa covering the duration of the stay.
In certain European countries, when a minor travels without one of their parents, an authorization to leave the territory may be required according to the regulations of the country of residence.
Other nationalities
Entry conditions may vary depending on nationality. Travelers concerned should contact the Chad embassy or consulate in their country of residence.
We strongly recommend you to take out evacuation and medical expense coverage abroad when participating in our trips.
Your local agency encourages you to review the specific policy developed with our partner CHAPKA ASSURANCES and AXA ASSISTANCE.
To purchase insurance, learn about coverage and rates, follow the link below.
CAP EXPLORER: The complete insurance solution designed for a worry-free trip!
Choose the plan that suits you best:
Explorer'Multirisque
Explorer'Annulation
Explorer'Assistance
Explorer' Complémentaire Carte Bancaire
Specific to our trips, we strongly recommend you subscribe to them.
Should you choose to purchase one of these plans, the full terms and conditions detailing all coverage and claim procedures are available on the insurer's website.
Your local agency will be aware of them, but only the participant is responsible for complying with all claim notification procedures. The participant should therefore keep this policy with them throughout their entire trip.
Frequently asked questions
A tourist visa is mandatory and must be requested from the embassy before departure. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your entry date. An up-to-date vaccination record is required, particularly for yellow fever. The security context requires maximum vigilance. Before booking, verify with the consular authorities of your destination the entry requirements applicable to your nationality.
Go to the My Trips section to find all your projects.
You can send a message to your host directly from the Tea Lounge.
For a tailor-made quality trip, budget between €250 and €450 per day and per person, including accommodation, meals, 4x4 with driver-guide and activities. International flights (€800-1,200 return) are extra. Chad remains a rare and demanding destination, reserved for experienced travellers.
Your documents are accessible in the Documents tab of your trip.
Absolutely. We adapt each itinerary to the traveler's profile. For families, we prioritize relaxed pacing, family-friendly accommodations, engaging and educational activities, and comfortable private transfers. Our English-speaking local guides know how to capture children's attention with age-appropriate stories.
It's simple. You exchange with our local team to define your wishes, budget and dates. You receive a detailed itinerary proposal within 48 hours. You refine every detail together until it's perfect. You confirm and travel with peace of mind. Your local agency remains available 7 days a week throughout your trip.
In case of emergency, contact your local agency immediately.
Payment is generally made in two installments.
Our agency is part of the Nomadays network, registered in France. You benefit from APST (Association Professionnelle de Solidarité du Tourisme) guarantee which covers 100% of your funds. Secure payment, repatriation insurance included, and English-speaking assistance 24/7 on site throughout your stay.
Let's talk about your adventure — Desert North
Sahara Guide from Chad, based in N'djamena
In Chad, the desert is never empty. There are the traces, the landscapes, the stories, the camps, and that light that changes everything throughout the day.
— Faris