Zakouma national park, chad

[kimbaleee]

Hi - I have been closely watching the transformation of this park on social media (natgeo photographer on insta) and want to find out more. Has anyone been here recently? I want to know the logistics of a possible visit either overlanding or flying in to N'Djamena, renting a vehicle and self-driving/camping/lodging? Safety? Road conditions? Best time of year to visit? etc. etc. Thanks.

[Tony Weaver]

As far as I know, the only way in is with a private guide and chartering a flight in to the African Parks mobile camp, Camp Nomade. One of our partners at safarious.com guides there - I'll check with him tomorrow. It's logistically quite a mission getting there. Here's a link to a video posted on our site by Michael: https://www.safarious.com/article/1843-zakouma-2017

[kimbaleee]

As far as I know, the only way in is with a private guide and chartering a flight in to the African Parks mobile camp, Camp Nomade. One of our partners at safarious.com guides there - I'll check with him tomorrow. It's logistically quite a mission getting there. Here's a link to a video posted on our site by Michael: https://www.safarious.com/article/1843-zakouma-2017

Thanks Tony - wow - that video was awsm. The quelea are quite something. Yes, I would be very interested to know the logistics. I am not a fan of having to have a private guide/formal safari (raised in the bush in Zim) and would obviously want to self-drive and it just may be that its not possible at all but yes please ask what the options are. Thanks again.

[ortelius]

There's quite a few trip reports from Zaukoma on Safaritalk forum. Onfortunatelly, as Tony says, this park seems not to be meant for selfdrivers and certainly is not budget friendly.
http://safaritalk.net/forum/267-chad...ican-republic/

[Jeffu]

I lived in South Sudan for 5 years & have friends in Chad so understand the difficulties of accessing Chad from East Africa. Unfortunately the wars in DRC, CAR, South Sudan & Dafur (Sudan) have effectively cut Chad off from road access. The best way into N'Djamena from EA is via Ethiopian Airways from Nairobi, Addis to Ndjamena, but it's expensive (+/- $1,000). Strangely the cheapest flight is in from Europe.

Geoff

[Tony Weaver]

I've checked in with Michael and he agrees with Geoff that self-drive is absolutely a no-go. Too dangerous. The only way in is to charter and be guided.

[kimbaleee]

That's what I was afraid of. Thanks to you all for the feedback.

[botswanadreams]

A flight in to the African Parks mobile camp, Camp Nomade.

The alternative to the extraordinaire expensive Camp Nomade would be the Tinga Camp in Zakouma. Best option I would say is guided too with a small group of six pax but half of the price. If you like to extend your time in Chad for the North you can have a private organised trip. There are companies in Chad doing this.

[botswanadreams]

Just booked our flight from any place in Germany rail&fly with Ethiopian Airlines to N'Djamena for €886.50 pp. Can't imagine that it would be US$ 1.000 from Nairobi.