Guéréwol Festival Among the Woddaabé, M'bororo, Peoples of Chad
In the heart of the Sahel, the Fulani Wodaabé celebrate the Guéréwol, an ancestral festival of seduction and beauty
Duration
6 days
From
€949/pers.
Ideal seasons
Sep, Oct, Nov
Style
Guided tour
Comfort
budget
Travelers
Couple, Solo, With friends, groupe
The spirit of travel
Every year, at the end of the rainy season, the Fulani Wodaabé, also called M'Bororo, gather to celebrate the Guérewol, a traditional festival dedicated to seduction, beauty and love.
After the rains, the land is saturated with water and abundant pastures allow many herds to be gathered together. For these nomadic herders who are usually scattered, this period marks a time of reunion, exchange and new friendships. It is also a special moment for young people, who participate in traditional seduction dances and can find love there.
On the occasion of these celebrations, men pay special attention to their appearance. Through a true art of makeup and adornment, they seek in particular to highlight the brilliance of their teeth and eyes. Before the dances, they consume stimulating preparations made from powdered bark, allowing them to dance for several hours, sometimes in a state close to trance. Young women also care for their appearance with elaborate hairstyles, carefully chosen clothing and jewelry in silver and amber.
Your journey takes place in the southeast of N'Djamena, in a region where different communities come together around water points during the dry season and pastures at the end of the rainy season. You will meet in particular Arabs from Ati and Batha, Bournou and Hausas from Nigeria, Fulani Foulbé arriving from the Central African Republic or returning from Cameroon, as well as Sara, a people of farmers and fishermen originating from the former kingdom of Chari-Baguirmi.
The discovery of local markets allows you to observe this cultural and linguistic diversity, in contact with populations often speaking several languages.
You will also have the opportunity to visit local schools, where you will be welcomed for a moment of meeting and sharing. These visits will allow, if you wish, to give notebooks and pens to teachers, who sometimes have little material for their crowded classes. These exchanges offer both students and travelers a friendly break in the daily school routine.
The stages of your journey
Highlights
Day-by-day itinerary
Arrival in N'Djamena
Upon your arrival at N'Djamena airport, you are welcomed and transferred to the Mercure hotel. You then have your meal in a restaurant in the Chadian capital, an opportunity to discover local flavors by tasting captain fish or carp from the Chari river.
Shores of the Chari River
You head south towards southern Chad, in the direction of the banks of the Chari River. Upon your arrival, you are welcomed by the Wodaabe Fulani community, nicknamed "the shepherds of the sun", for a first meeting with its members.
You then settle into your camp, equipped with three-person igloo tents accommodating two people each. Individual tents are also available upon request.
Guéréwol
You set out to discover several Peul villages and camps, some in the process of relocating, others established for longer, to attend traditional festivals. These days are devoted to meetings with village chiefs, women and local communities, in a friendly and spontaneous atmosphere. You take time to share meals, exchange with local people, take photos and watch the cattle milking. You will also have the opportunity to meet Arab camel herders present in the surrounding area.
Depending on possibilities, you can also go to observe hippopotamuses near the Fleuve Chari and discover local markets, to extend this immersion in the daily life of Tchad communities.
Return to N'Djamena via local markets
You leave your hosts to resume your journey peacefully in the direction of N'Djamena. Along the way, you make several stops at local markets, an opportunity to discover the diversity of agricultural products, fishing and gathering, in particular the soapberry tree and gum arabic.
Back in the Chadian capital, you join a hotel to shower before your transfer to the airport.
Possibilities for extending the trip:
Bol and Lake Tchad: 3 additional days.
Faya and the Tassili du Borkou: 8 additional days.
Abéché and the Ennedi massif.
Price per person
Indicative price per person, based on double room. Each trip is customized according to your preferences.
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
- Repatriation insurance + cancellation
- International flight
- Beverages and extras
- Visa
Included
- All accommodations in double or twin rooms, 2-person tents with mattresses
- Cook + drivers and local guide
- 4x4 vehicle, maximum 4 people
- Fuel
- The tax and entry fees
- International Restaurant in Ndjamena
- Mineral water
- Bivouac equipment (table and chair for meals)
- All fees for the Lupine agency tour leader
- The single supplement on odd-numbered bases
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 — Central Savannas
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