CAMEROON AND CHAD…THE LAND OF GEREWOL FESTIVAL
January 30 - February 14, 2024
Led by Local GuideS

Thriving traditional cultures, renowned art forms, flamboyantly colorful festivals, and a dazzling ethnic mosaic are the golden gems of tribal Africa. This fantastic cultural odyssey takes you to Cameroon and Chad's remote and seldom-visited countries.

Cameroon, sometimes described as “Africa in one country” about its variety of habitats and people, is a land that will steal your heart away. This virtually unexplored country is home to an astonishing 250 ethnic groups and a matching diversity of landscape - from the jungles of the south to the Sahel of the north. The southern rainforest is home to communities of Ba’aka and Badgeli pygmies, existing in harmony with their environment. Ancient kingdoms, cattle herding nomads, stunning golden, palm-fringed beaches, glassy rivers, and volcanic mountain ridges lie in between. Forest canopies throb with the call of the rarest species, and colorful tiny markets and streets bustle with excitement—photogenic waterfalls thunder in a “white smoke” of spray to pristine rivers and lakes. A trip to Cameroon will allow you to see nature at its wildest and rarest in places few outsiders have been fortunate to explore.

Chad is one of the least visited African countries by western tourists, and therein lies its appeal. We are proud to offer a trip to this most pioneering of destinations - a land that is as wild as it is beautiful, as untamed as it is graceful. It is a land of rock arches, camel caravans traversing the sands, and where genuine encounters with local people are guaranteed. Each year, the semi-nomadic Wodaabe people gather for a week of incredible celebrations known as the Gerewol, a colorful ceremony that is one of Africa’s most spectacular. Few westerners are privileged to see this fascinating event, but over the years, we have built up excellent local contacts, allowing you to travel to a remote part of Chad and stay with these intensely traditional people to join them in celebration. Camping in the Sahel, you will remain with the Wodaabe for several days, gaining more than just a fleeting glimpse into their lives and immersing yourself in a culture that lives beyond mainstream society. Few tourists venture this far into Chad so you can expect a very intimate experience. 

Trip Grade:
III Challenging: Parts of the trip will be physically challenging, involving walking over in a hot climate and presence of insects. There will be long drives over rough roads. You will be camping and sleeping on thin mattress. Lunches may be simple, cold picnic lunches. Expect primitive or no bathroom facilities along the road and remoteness from modern towns or cities.

LODGING Level:
**Simple: Basic camping (individual tents with shared shower-tent and toilet-tent),
***Superior: Lodges and hotels with additional amenities, refined service and comfort level acceptable to western standards. (3 or 4 stars)

Special Trip Remarks:
Chad is our most pioneering destination and travelers must understand that infrastructure is very underdeveloped. Tourist facilities are extremely limited in the remote regions and small villages you will be visiting. There are few first-class hotels outside the cities and hotel A/C do not cool a room to American standards of comfort. During the Gerewol Festival, you will be camping. However, we will do our best to ensure your comfort. Tents will be equipped with beds and a separate seated tent-toilet.

Participants should understand that this trip involves long drives in hot weather and along dusty roads. The physical shape you are in will be an important factor in your enjoyment of the trip. There are dangers inherent in any expedition traveling to remote regions such as sickness and lack of modern medical facilities. If you have any chronic health problems (cardiac, bad back, diabetes, etc.,) we recommend considering a different trip. It is highly advisable to purchase travel protection insurance.

Knowing the nature of such “off-the-beaten track” adventure, all travelers on this tour will require a high level of flexibility, tolerance, and willingness to go with the flow if things change. You are acknowledging a full understanding and acceptance of all terms and conditions and are admitting that you are in good physical and mental health and are equipped with an open mind, a sense of adventure, and a tolerant and patient spirit to cope up with the tour. We have the full right to make any necessary changes to the itinerary, to the sequence of visits, to the choices of hotels, and sites or activities previously described in the itinerary without notice.

The exact date of the festival is determined sometime in June every year by the Elder Wodaabe people. Please do not book the flights until we get the confirmation about the exact dates.