Chad, Bearer of Hope

You take the road towards the Guéra massif, in the heart of Tchad. After a breakfast on the way, you continue your journey to Bokoro, where you stop for lunch.

You then head to Abtouyour, where you set up your camp within a landscape of granite formations and dry savanna. This place holds an important place in the ancestral beliefs of the Kenga people, who honor Ra Cen there, a divinity associated with the sky, creation and a benevolent spirit. According to oral traditions, the Kenga would originate from the Nile valley, and some of their funeral rites as well as their beliefs evoke possible links with ancient Nubian kingdoms. The name "Ra" also recalls that of "Rê", the sun god of ancient Egypt.

In Kenga tradition, Ra communicates with men through the Margaï, spiritual beings associated with mountains and particular cults that help preserve the cohesion of communities.

At nightfall, you enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the Guéra massif, surrounded by rocky reliefs and savanna vegetation sheltering discreet nocturnal fauna. As the surrounding villages fall asleep, you discover an environment where traditions and ancestral beliefs still occupy an important place.

You join Mongo, capital of the Guéra region, presented as the second largest city in Tchad. This city with a peaceful atmosphere is located at the foot of the "queen of the Guéra", a mountain formation whose silhouette evokes that of a woman lying down.

You then continue your itinerary by venturing further into the Guéra massif, to discover its mountainous landscapes and its characteristic reliefs.

You are heading off on a hiking trip to the heart of the Guéra massif, in the direction of the village of Taro, nestled in a mountain cirque. This walk allows you to appreciate the surrounding reliefs before reaching the village.

Upon your arrival, you share a privileged moment with the inhabitants of Taro, who introduce you to their traditional dances and customs. An encounter marked by exchange and sharing, to immerse you in the local culture.

You set off early in the morning heading towards d'Abéché, capital of the Ouadaï region, in eastern Tchad. Upon arrival, you make a stop to refuel and stock up on provisions before meeting with a local NGO.

This organization provides assistance to refugees, notably from Darfour and Salamat, who have settled on the outskirts of Abéché after fleeing the consequences of drought. It also supports orphaned children. This meeting allows you to discover the solidarity initiatives undertaken for vulnerable populations.

You then continue your itinerary towards the arid mountains north of Abéché, where you reach a traditional village in the region. The mountainous landscapes provide a new setting for this stage of your journey in Tchad.

You continue your journey towards the north of Tchad, taking the tracks that cross the vast desert expanses. Your itinerary passes through Biltine, then Arada and Kalaït, where you stop for lunch in a small local restaurant. After a final resupply, you resume your journey towards the Ennedi massif.

As you travel, the landscapes transform: stony plains, pointed mountains, granite outcrops and wadis succeed one another. Further east, it is sometimes possible to spot bustards, addax, dorcas gazelles or oryx. On the horizon, the first sandstone formations announce the approach of the Ennedi massif.

You then progress through a maze of dunes and rock formations, between red sandstone massifs, peaks and imposing rocks with the appearance of citadels. In the wadis, a few acacias and tamarisks punctuate the arid landscapes. The region is also home to varied wildlife, notably green monkeys and hyraxes. You may also encounter camels and goats, as well as camps and local populations, notably the Gourans and the Borogats.

Your itinerary then leads you to the new village of Archeï, where you will find the small shop-grocery and refueling station of Taher Gouti, also known for his knowledge of the region as a guide.

You finally reach Ouimina, sometimes nicknamed the "Easter Island" because of its imposing sandstone monoliths. In this environment with Saharan landscapes, you discover rock formations that bear witness to a time when the Sahara experienced a more humid climate and more abundant vegetation.

Night in bivouac under the stars at Ouimina.

You cross a plateau crossed by deep wadis, where sandstone formations sculpted by erosion compose a singular mineral landscape. Along the way, you enjoy a panorama over the Guelta d'Archei and its wadi, at the heart of the Ennedi massif.

You then reach the pools of Toboucou, which serve as watering points for goats. A path leads you to the guelta d'Archeï and its promontory, from where you can observe the surrounding reliefs. With a bit of luck, you will also have the opportunity to spot crocodiles.

You then descend through the sand expanses to reach your bivouac prepared by the drivers and cooks. Your itinerary continues over the plateau before plunging into the Oyo labyrinth, a collection of rock formations shaped by erosion. You enjoy a view of this geological landscape, where the sandstone walls draw a veritable natural maze.

At the end of the day, you settle at the foot of a large dune, sheltered by the imposing sandstone peaks. You will find the camel team that will accompany you for the rest of your adventure in the Ennedi.

Night in bivouac at the foot of the dune.

This morning, you set off to discover the rock paintings of Ennedi, at the entrance to the Archeï guelta. Under two rock shelters, you admire prehistoric frescoes dating back 5,000 to 8,000 years, witnesses to the ancient life and traditions of the region. These representations evoke notably scenes of dance, oxen and giraffes, offering a glimpse into the past of this Saharan territory.

You continue your exploration through the Archeï canyon, where animals come to drink. The passage of camels, accompanied by their cries and their agitation, animates this mineral landscape and immerses you in the particular atmosphere of the guelta.

You then resume your 4x4 heading towards the rock paintings of Mandaguili, another remarkable site in the Ennedi. You discover there notably many representations of dromedaries, recognizable by their so-called "flying gallop" style.

After a short 4x4 journey along the massif, you reach the Oyo labyrinth, a set of rock formations shaped by erosion. A walk on foot allows you to venture into this maze of rocks and sand, where the reliefs form a true natural architecture.

At the end of the day, you meet up with your camels and return to your camp for another night in the heart of the Chadian desert.

You begin this day with the climb of the great dune of Oyo, from where you discover the geological formations that characterize this region of the Ennedi massif. You continue your exploration on foot in the Chéro labyrinth, a mineral environment conducive to walking and observing rocky reliefs.

You then discover a recently developed market garden, where different fresh fruits and vegetables are grown, notably tomatoes, onions and watermelons. This visit allows you to appreciate the crops developed in this desert environment.

Your itinerary continues across a long plain to the Wadi Nohi, recognizable by its ribbon of vegetation composed of tamarisks and acacias. You then progress into the white wadi, towards a narrow passage between rocks, where an imposing natural arch stands, shaped by erosion.

You leave the meanders of Wadi Nohi to ascend stabilized dunes, resting on clay foundations. This stage allows you to discover new natural formations in the heart of the desert landscapes of Ennedi.

You then reach the Saké plain, where there is a permanent water hole frequented by herds of animals coming to drink. Nearby, an imposing sandstone citadel dominates the landscape. Contrasting with the arid expanses, you also discover a prairie covered with colocynths, as well as a natural arch and a rocky tunnel. The latter serves notably as a resting place for participants in the Treg, a 180-kilometer non-stop race organized every year.

You continue your itinerary across vast plains dotted with dunes covered in grasses. The route then runs along the northern facade of the Baména massif, whose reliefs become progressively more imposing as you approach.

You continue your itinerary at the foot of the cliffs of the Ennedi massif, following stabilized dunes to the Keyllé junction, where several trails converge. You then set off on a hike through a canyon dotted with dunes, with the pyramidal silhouette of the Aloba massif as your landmark.

Your exploration continues through canyons and tree-lined valleys, until the Aloba lacework, where erosion has sculpted the rock into formations with surprising silhouettes. Along the way, you observe traces left in the sand by local wildlife. With a bit of luck, you may catch sight of vipers, baboons, hyraxes, hyenas, jackals, jerboas or even hares. An immersion into a natural environment where wild life reveals itself as you progress.

You then reach the Kayala dune and cross a suspended valley offering a panorama over the Aloba plain and its surrounding reliefs.

Finally, you descend into the valley to discover the imposing Aloba arch, considered one of the highest natural arches in the world. This rock formation, shaped by erosion, marks the final stage of your day in the heart of the Ennedi landscapes.

You leave your bivouac in a 4x4 heading southeast, across vast grazing plains frequented by camels. Along the way, you cross the open and arid landscapes of the Ennedi massif.

You then reach the Djoulia arch, also called "the Lyre", a natural rock formation whose silhouette evokes that of this musical instrument. Another stage of your exploration of landscapes sculpted by erosion in the Chadian desert

You continue your exploration of the Ennedi massif with a hiking trail through the Bachikelé canyon, a natural environment where vegetation contrasts with the arid landscapes of the region. As you stroll along, you discover varied flora, notably composed of mango trees, caper plants and doum palms.

The canyon is also home to diverse wildlife. You will be able to observe baboons, rock hyraxes, as well as cattle, horses, camels and goats. An immersion in the heart of a landscape where rocky formations, vegetation and animal life mingle.

At the end of the day, you get back in your 4x4 to reach your bivouac, in the heart of the Ennedi massif. You rejoin your camp after this day exploring Chad's desert landscapes.

You set off for a hiking trek heading west, skirting the massif dominated by the pyramidal silhouette of Djebel Aloba. Your itinerary crosses vast plains where you discover a few pre-Islamic tombs, witnesses to the ancient history of this region of Tchad.

Along the way, you observe a cone of white scree to which a local legend is attached. According to traditional accounts, a spring once existed at this spot, before a landslide buried it along with a family that lived nearby. Your camel guides and your guide share this story and other tales passed down through generations with you, allowing you to better understand local traditions.

You finally reach Chineké, where stands an impressive rock formation nicknamed the "arch of triumph", pierced by three natural arches.

This morning, you discover a natural rock formation with the appearance of a chimera, sculpted by erosion. You continue your exploration in the heart of the Baména massif, along its southern façade, where the sandstone reliefs create a singular mineral landscape.

Your itinerary then leads you to the bottom of a canyon, to the arch of Koki, a natural formation that bears witness to the work of erosion on the rocks of the massif.

You finally resume your progress through the desert landscapes of the Ennedi to settle at the foot of the imposing sandstone citadels, whose rocky silhouettes compose the scenery of this new stage of your journey in Tchad.

You spend this day discovering Toukoulou, in the heart of the Ennedi massif, where rocks sculpted by erosion reveal astonishing shapes. Among these natural formations, you discover the Elephant arch, whose silhouette evokes that of the animal.

You take time to explore this maze of rock formations, before enjoying the raking light of late afternoon, which reveals the contours and relief of the landscape. You continue your exploration through the valleys of Toukoulou, in a mineral environment with multiple facets.

In the evening, you return to your bivouac for a final stage in the company of the camel team, who bid you farewell.

This morning, you cross a canyon to reach the Toukou well, an essential water point for local families. The inhabitants come here to draw water for their daily needs and to water their herds. This stage allows you to observe the importance of water access in the lives of communities in this desert region of Tchad. Out of respect for the inhabitants, photographs are prohibited without prior authorization.

You then continue your itinerary by 4x4 across the plain, heading towards a rocky massif known for its rock paintings, witnesses to the ancient history of Ennedi.

At the end of the day, you set up your bivouac in an open canyon, surrounded by the characteristic rock formations of the region.

Today, you cross the vast camel pastures that extend into the heart of the Tchad desert. Your itinerary takes you through long stony plains, where you can spot herds of gazelles fleeing at the approach of your vehicles. This journey allows you to measure the isolation of the Ennedi massif, whose imposing reliefs stand in the middle of desert expanses.

You continue your route through the territory of the Gourane, a sparsely populated region where notably the Anakaza live, traditionally recognized for their camel herding activity. This territory, sometimes nicknamed "the belly of paradise", is considered a land rich in resources despite its arid environment.

You then set off to meet Guini's family, your local partner for your stay in Tchad. This stage is an opportunity to share a moment of exchange with your hosts and discover their daily life in the heart of the desert.

Your great crossing of the Chadian desert comes to an end today. You take to the road towards N'Djaména, the capital of Chad, which you reach in early afternoon.

After several days of exploring the desert landscapes and the Ennedi massif, you enjoy a well-deserved moment of rest. A refreshing shower and a good meal allow you to regain your comfort and relax after this adventure.