Gerewol Festival, Faya, the Lakes and the Ennedi
From the ritual dances of Guérewol to the sacred crocodiles of Archei, a mythical journey between Fulani culture and Tchad desert
Duration
19 days
From
€949/pers.
Ideal seasons
Jan, Feb, Oct, Nov, Dec
Style
Expeditions
Comfort
rustique
Travelers
Solo, With friends, groupe
The spirit of travel
This exceptional grand journey combines Peul culture and the Guérewol festivals with the vast Sahelian and Saharan landscapes of northern Tchad.
From the banks of the Chari south of the capital, to the vast sandy plains of the Djourab passing through the unique world lakes of Ounianga and the beauty of the Ennedi, we invite you on a great magical and unprecedented crossing.
The stages of your journey
Highlights
Day-by-day itinerary
Guérewol
Welcome from the Fulani people by the village chief, and preparation of celebrations, body paintings, you can participate.
During these 3 days, we will attend different celebrations and dances, visit the region and participate in the daily life of nomads.
Explanation of the societal structure and life of the Fulani M'bororo or Woodabe people.
Mossoro - Kouba Olanga bivouac
Due north across the barren land, the Sahel unfolds before our eyes, vast and endless, clay gives way to sand, cattle are replaced by camels, it is not uncommon to cross paths with gazelles and jackals.
Massakory → Kouba Olanga
Djourab - night in Faya
Kouba Olanga → Faya-Largeau
Crossing the dunes in the early morning when the sand is still hard. Arrival at Faya, in the heart of the largest oasis in the Sahara (70 km long)
Night in a camp organized by women's groups.
Wadi Doum - Ounianga Kebir
We pass through the infamous Wadi doum which saw the defeat of the Libyan army and where traces of the attack remain. Then we arrive at the Ounianga serir salt lakes.
Bivouac above the lakes, swimming in the clear springs.
Ounianga Serir - Bivouac
A set of 14 lakes including Lake Bokou the only one that is not salty.
We can swim there but without sunscreen, soap or other shampoo. The ecosystem is fragile, there are quite a few fish in the lake.
Walk and night in the dunes above the lake.
Salin de Teguedeî and half-bivouac on sand
Immersion in the Ennedi Massifs (Archei, Nohi, Aloba, Bachikele, Terkey...)
The heart of the Ennedi, guelta, crocodile rock paintings, canyon and arches.
We have our privileged bivouac sites and our routes.
Kalait, night in Abeche
Descent to Kalait, the old Oum Chelouba, a commercial hub of Libya, Sudan BET.
We continue to Abeché, bivouac before arriving in town.
Arrival in Ndjamena in the afternoon
Last itinerary for arrival in the capital.
Transfer to the hotel for a shower.
Transfer to the airport for boarding according to your flight times
Meals at your own expense.
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
- International Flights
- Meals in N'Djamena
- Repatriation Insurance
- Tips and drinks
Included
- 4x4 vehicles and drivers and fuel
- Bivouac equipment: mat, mattress
- Food and the Chef
- The local guide of the Toumay-voyages team
- Entries to sites
- Travel permits
- File fees
- Local insurance
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.
Chapka — Cap Explorer
Our insurance partnerTravel with peace of mind with our partner Chapka. Cancellation, repatriation, medical expenses, baggage… All the coverage for a worry-free trip.
Travel with peace of mind — I'll handle the insuranceFrequently 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
