Chad & Cameroon
February 04 - 17, 2022
Led by local guides

Thriving traditional cultures, renowned art forms, flamboyantly colorful festivals, mask dances, and a dazzling ethnic mosaic are the golden gems of tribal Africa. This fantastic cultural odyssey takes you to the remote and seldom visited countries of Chad and Cameroon, as well as Equatorial Guinea, for those doing the extension.

Chad is one of the least visited of all the African countries by western tourists and therein lies its appeal. We are proud to offer a trip to this most pio- neering 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, surprising wildlife, camel caravans traversing the sands, where genuine encounters with local people are guaranteed. Most notably, Chad boasts Zakouma National Park which rivals any other safari experience in Africa and, in fact, is considered by many to have more to offer in terms of birding and animal sighting opportunities due to the flat landscape and absence of tour vehicles and crowds. Africa Parks opened Zakouma to visitors in January 2015 and only allows 112 guests admitted per year. Zakouma has four out of the big five, including buffalo, lion, leopard and elephant. One of the rarest birds in Africa, the black-breasted barbet, can only be found here, and you’re guaranteed to add many new species to your bird list.

From volcanic mountain ridges to broad, glassy rivers, from forest canopies that throb to the call of the rarest of species to golden sandy palm-fringed shores, and from flamboyantly colorful tiny markets and streets of robust square wooden and steeply thatched houses and from photogenic waterfalls that thunder down in the ‘white smoke’ of spray to unspoilt landscape, this is a land which will steal your heart away. Vestiges of faded French colonial glory rub up against craftsmen’s alleys where the wisdom and skill of countless generations are revealed to you by the friendliest of locals. You will see nature at its wildest and rarest in this, from canoes, on roads and during walks that take you to places where few outsiders have been privi- leged to explore. Cameroon is sometimes described as “Africa in one country” in reference to its variety of habitats and people. This virtually unexplored country is home to an astonishing 250 ethnic groups and a matching diversity of landscapes, 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. In between lie ancient kingdoms, cattle herding nomads, stunning beaches and volcanic lakes.

For many years, the tiny nation of Equatorial Guinea, known largely by most for oil and failed coup attempts, was closed to tourism. Subsequently, it lacks an established tourist trail to follow. But there’s an excitement in being among the first to start exploring it. The capital, Malabo, is vibrant with mar- kets, a lively nightlife and hints of the previous Spanish occupancy. Equatorial Guinea boasts one of the last pristine rainforests in Africa and its endemic species are quite unique. The pioneering travelers to this small nation will experience encounters that few outsiders can even imagine. Its introverted society and its mysterious landscape makes Equatorial Guinea an uncharted gem awaiting to be discovered. Passing from the stunning beaches of Bio- ko to the coastal and montane forests that clad the slopes of Pico Basile’s volcano to Monte Alen’s virgin jungle, you cannot escape the glorious nature.

Optional Extension to Equatorial Guinea (February 17 - 20, 2022)

Can be combined with Ivory Coast & Mali (January 18 - February 03, 2022) OR

Trip Grade:
II Active – – Some hikes, slightly more demanding walks at or to sites, few elevations, comfortable but busy schedule and some long car rides in hot, dusty environment in Chad with pit stops in the wilderness.

LODGING Level:
**Simple – ***Superior: Lodges and hotels with additional ameni- ties, refined service and comfort level acceptable to western standards (3 or 4 stars) in larger cities. The lodge at Zakouma offers en-suite bathrooms equipped with western toilets.

Special Trip Remarks:
Chad is our most pioneering destination and is considered a very small and new player in the tourism field and their infrastructure is quite underdeveloped and hence participants must understand and agree that by joining this trip, they are committing to be very flexible and will accept any sudden changes that may be imposed on us to alter or change the tour sequence, itinerary, accommodations, and facilities depending on many factors such as political conditions security concerns, sudden availability shortages, sand storms or change of hotels due to unexpected events. Also vehicles in Chad may not necessarily have A/C running and the weather will be rather warm (upper 90’s) and some drives will be dusty therefore a high level of tolerance and acceptance must be expected. When travelling you need to bear in mind that things won’t always work there as we’re used to them working at home. Travelling in underdeveloped and unnourished destinations requires both patience and a sense of humor. There may be problems with infrastructure, attitudes may be different, and maintenance may not be as high a standard as we would always like, but this is very much part and parcel of travelling in such a place. Also food in Chad will be simple picnic style for several days getting to/from Zakouma. One of the challenges on this trip is the possible change of airline schedules between countries and if we face such issue later on we will do our best to alter the itinerary accordingly and adjust the sequence and re-plan the connecting dates between Ndjamena and Douala and Malabo.