Chad’s Animal Paradise

Zakouma National Park, a 305, 000-hectare park, 800km southeast of N’Djaména, Chad’s capital has been described as one of the last bastions for wildlife in Central Africa.  Located in the south of the country, the Park was the country’s first to be designated in 1963.

In this position between Sarh and Am Timan, in the south of central African country the park is entirely surrounded by the Bahr Salamat Faunal Reserve through which, the Bahr Salamat, an intermittent river which flows south into the Chari River; and its tributaries can be found.

The fauna of the Park includes 44 species of large mammals, and many species of birds. Zakouma is once again one of the best places in Central Africa to see large herds of elephants, as well as giraffes, wildebeests, lions and a wide variety of antelopes, primates and birdlife.

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 although during the rainy season, elephants begin to leave the park to avoid the muddy terrain, it is possible to see truly massive herds.

This exotic wildlife destination of Sarh is more important for a significant population of elephants However chronic economic and political instability in this region of Africa have put severe pressure on wild places and animals.

Twenty years ago Zakouma contained an estimated 40,000 elephants compared to as little as 500 elephants at one point.

Demand for ivory and an absence of sufficient protection at the Park level have decimated elephant herds. During the winter dry season, hunting pressure increases dramatically – elephants become easy targets as they congregate around rare sources of fresh water.

Chad has nominated Zakouma for inclusion on the World Heritage list, requesting UNESCO to recognize it as a tentative site.

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 crested crane are prominent bird species in Zakouma and are easily spotted during birding safaris in the park.

Visiting the park costs US$15 per person, plus US$7 per vehicle. Public transport, even from Sahr, is practically nonexistent and it would take you many days to get there, so the most realistic option is to organize a trip through a travel agency in the capital N’Djaména’s In Zakouma, one can stay at Le Campement Hôtelier Tinga.

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