Manda National park is located in southern Chad near the town of Sarh and bordered. Chari River to the east and to the south west is Sarh-Ndjamena road. The park occupies more than 113,000hac and was established in 1965, prior being only a faunal reserve since 1953

The vegetation in the park is dense woodlands, savanna grasslands, and grassy flooded plains to the banks of the river Chari. The area receives an average of 100mm of rain every year with the highest received around April.

Getting there; the Park is easily accessed via the town of Sarh and on the border is Sarh Ndjamena road

Wildlife

Some of the birds found in Manda National Park Chad include Yellow penduline tit, Senegal Eremomela, blackcap babbler, white collared starling, bush petronia, Rufous Cisticola, Gambaga fly catcher and the red faced pytilia among many others.

Mammals in the park include lion and other large mammal that can only be seen during the dry season. Other National parks and reserves in Chad include Aouk National Park, Zakouma National Park and Goz-Beida National Park .

The upper part of Chad is covered by a big part of the Sahara Desert which is known as the Borkou-Ennedi-Tibesti Region. In the northeast is the Ennedi Plateau,one third of this region covered under the Ennedi desert. Even though is sounds harsh and hostile place to be, Ennedi desert is a beautiful place to visit with a desert safari or camel tour.

Tourist Attractions

The rock formations were amazing sight in desert with the first rock art painting on some of the rocks. Many of the rock art represent all kinds of animals that the first inhabitants of the desert had. These today remain in gorgeous red brownish rock paintings.

The Guelta d’Archei is a beautiful wetland in the Ennedi Plateau near the town of Fada. The lake is a major source of water in the desert often visited by many people and endless camel trails to have some drinking water. The lake also has the endemic Sahara desert crocodiles that feed on poo left by the visiting camels.

The formations and lake of Guelta d’Archei is maybe the most popular and unique one in the Ennedi Region but we visited a lot more of these Sahara Oasis, especially near the town of Ounianga Kebir.

Touring the desert is an interesting part of Ennedi desert safari in Chad. You can tour by camel, or drive through with 4X4 vehicle. Of course you need a tour guide to lead you on your trails.

Zakouma National Park is a national park, located between Sarh and Am Timan, in the south of Chad. Zakouma is one of the most famous and well visited national parks in Chad because of its royal big elephant concentration and other attractions. Zakouma is a significant animal habitat in chad Africa as well as for North Central Africa.

Created in 1963, this was Chad’s first national park, and covers an area of almost 3,000 sq km. The beauty of this famous park is admirable and a great treat for visitors’ eyes. It is entirely surrounded by the Bahr Salamat Faunal Reserve.

Other National parks in Chad include Goz-Beida National Park (30,000sq km), Mnada National Park and Aouk National Park.

Zakouma National Park was adversely affected by the civil conflict in Chad for several years but is now restoration with support from the European Union withorganisations like Save the Elephant Foundation. For example, elephant herds were substantial in number as recently as 1970 with an estimated population of 300,000; however, by 2007 the number had dwindled to about 10,000.

Wildlife in Zakouma – The fauna of the Park includes 44 species of large mammals, and many species of birds. This exotic wildlife destination of Sarh is more important for a significant population of elephants. Other animals found in this park include giraffes, wildebeests, lions and a wide variety of antelopes and primates.

There are also many species of birds in Zakouma National Park. Apart from large mammals, travelers on Chad safaris can also regale in the rich diversity of bird species in the park. This natural park is one of the few places in Africa to host rare desert birds.

The best time to come is March and April when the animals congregate around watering holes. It is not possible to visit from June to October because of the rains. During the rainy season, the elephants begin to leave the park to avoid the muddy terrain; it is possible to see truly massive herds – sometimes up to 1,000 elephants at a time.

There is no much accommodation in Zakouma National Park but  you can find overnight and dinner at Le Campement Hotelier Tinga located within the park and other facilities can be found within the capital

Other National parks and Reserves in Chad include Manda National Park, Aouk National Park and Goz-Beida National Park.

Chad is one of the countries neglected by African safari travellers and tourists although it is gifted with endless desert scenery, a vast lake at the heart and more fascinating landscape features.

In the Chad Sahara (Ennedi) desert region are otherworldly sights resembling animals and trees that were once used by people who once occupied this place. Some of the other sights to have on your Chad tours include visits to Zakouma National Park just South of N’Djaména, N’Djamena mosque, national museum and so much more… You have every reason to get on your flight to Chad.

N’Djamena is the capital city and is where the main airport is found N’Djamena International Airport  (airport code: NDJ). Chad Flights from South Africa are available with several airlines to more than 8 different destinations. It is a busy airport with more than 1,000 international flights each week.

Direct flights to Chad are offered with Ethiopian Airlines and South African Airways via Addis Ababa, or with Air France from Paris France. Other fliers to Ndjamena Chad are Kenya Airways, Afriqiyah airways, KLM, Delta Virgin, Lufthansa, Interair South Africa, British Airways, Sudan Airways or Tri-MG Intra Asia Airlines for two stop flights, most of which are via London and Paris.

Popular flights to Chad from USA (Delta airlines) include;

• Montreal to Ndjamena
• Toronto to Ndjamena
• Philadelphia to Ndjamena
• Boston to Ndjamena
• New York to Ndjamena

Book your cheap flights to Ndjamena Chad through an online travel agent or through Chad tours and travel agent online.

Chad is a small country in North Africa, lying mostly under desert for the upper north but to the south, there is some savannah and green vegetation. Many Tourists don’t visit Chad and yet this destination has a wonderful eco-system.

What to see

Lake Chad- occupies a large part of the country in a deep depression although it is slowly drying up today due to high temperatures.

To the north is Ennedi desert, forming a section of the Sahara desert that stretches for the most part of Northern Africa. It is one of the most beautiful deserts on a high plateau often visited on Chad Luxury Vacations. The desert is visited by jeep and only other 4X4 vehicles-there is no better way to have a luxury desert safari in Chad than on a jeep! Find interesting rock formations in shapes of trees, animals like features that are traditionally related with the animals owned by the previous desert people. Within the desert is Lake Guelta hosting some crocodiles, fish and a major life resource for the surrounding desert villages

Chad has a number of small national parks although the most popular is the Zakouma National park for Chad holidays; this park is actually located in the southeast of the country between Sarh and Am Timan. This UNESCO world heritage site is under intense conservation efforts for the royal elephants that are in danger of extinction. It is surrounded by Bahr Salamat Faunal Reserve. More than 40 different birds are found here and animals like lions, giraffes, wildebeests, antelopes, and primates.

Chad travel

The best time to visit on Chad Africa safaris is all through the year. The dry season of march and April creates water holes which attract Zakouma wildlife and the rainy season makes herds of elephant migrate to other safer places than the muddy terrain in the park

Chad people are warm and welcoming although with several ethnic groups along with different languages. They consider their culture to be more important than their national. Majority of the people in Chad are Muslim with a small number of Christianity of which they base their practice on animals as the best sacrifice.

To all travelers or tourists who love visiting Chad, there are things to take note of such as the political instability of the country. The crime rate is so low but there are incidences that are common such as armed robbery along with hijacking.

Health is very important to take note of once in are in Chad, this is because HIV/AIDS is rampant although precaution is also necessary for your life. Besides Aids, there are other diseases such as malaria and other water born diseases that you may not avoid unless you treat yourself first.