Tibesti
 

Just came back from Tibesti. Drove my Landcruiser from Holland to Ndjamena along the Atlantic route. From Ndjamena drove to Mao, Zouar and Bardai. Also visited the Trou Natron. Than on to Ennedi (Ounianga, Archei, Faya, Fada) and through Abeche back to Ndjamena. No problems, great trip. It seems we (our group consisted of 6 people in two cars) were the first tourists in Bardai since 11 years. In Ennedi we met some other tourist groups. Our security in Tibesti was guaranteed by a Tubu-colonel in the Chadian army. He also arranged two guides. We paid him about 150 euro's a day.

Yes, great trip indeed!
But also a lot of money...
RR.

I think you can also go without guide, but than you probably will have to pay at checkpoints and in many communities. And maybe it's more difficult to get your "permit de circulation" in Ndjamena. I also suppose without guide you will be less safe in Tibesti. In Ennedi the security seems to be better though.

Great trip, I am envious. Am I correct that you had those three people - the colonel and two guides - in your cars all the time? That's them plus the six of you, that is nine people? Was each of the two guides a specialist in a different local area? Does this colonel do this regularly - can he be used as a contact in the future?

Thank you,

Peter

The colonel planned to come, but sent two cousins in the end. One cousin was a very nice guy, they other one a bit less. But no big problems. We had 8 people in two cars. I think you can ask the colonel to help you, but you will have to use an intermediary to contact him. I can provide the intermediary, but only if you are serious about really making the trip. Because preparations and making the right contacts take a lot of time in Chad.

Thank you. Not now, but I will keep it in mind for later.

Wow, that's great trip! Congrats!
Will you publish some trip report with photos somewhere. Would like to read that story!

Hope to write an S-file soon, with pictures.

Here is a map for Gerbert's route.

In and out of Faya with Le Point (if it happens) would sure save a lot of boring days in the Sahel.

Ch

Did you return home the same way?
How long did you spend in Chad total?

Charlie

The trip took 23 days. I wanted to park my car in NDJ for next trip, but sold it because I got offered a good price. Here are some pictures by the way: Tsjaad, november 2010 | Facebook

No, I'm not jealous, not the least, not one little bit... The fact that I'm turning a nice shade of green has absolutely nothing to do with envy :biggrin:

Congrats on the superb trip, waiting to hear more!

Here is the S-file:

Sahara Overland ~ Tibesti 2010

May be I've read your (very nice:thumbup1:) report a little speedy....But I've don't seen anything about mines.
Was it a problem to go there?
RR.

It seems rather clear where the mines are. The road from Zouar to Bardai is mined, but local authorities made some deviations earlier this year. So now the road is open again. At many oher places areas with mines are fenced or encircled with red painted stones. I did not hear about recent accidents, but did not like to sit in the first car while driving through Tibesti. Most mines are Libyan mines, but during the rebellion many new ones were laid. (Mind that Zouar was occupied by rebels untill the beginning of this year.)

Congrats!!! Absolutely well done. I am really happy that all went Ok in N Chad - one of the most interesting spots on this planet, without a doubt!!!!

Yeppers, total envy all around. Someday..... ;)

PS - a measly 12 pics, ya gotta post some more m8!

Sorry, but I don't like taking pictures. The rest is even worse.

Do you fancy going back? And how would you do it then? And where would you go?
There's a special allure to Tibesti.

I like going back, but just to hang around in places like Zouar, Faya and Bardai, not for taking pictures. Wouls be great if it's possible to enter from Libya. Do not understand why the border is closed for tourists, espcially the main route between Kufra and Ounianga. Somebody has an idea?

Some moving images of the trip: YouTube - Tibesti

Fantastic!!
I hope I can do the same before too many years!!
RR

Hi,

Is the route doable in a 7.5T overland truck?

Why not. Ten years ago I drove to Tibesti in a Mercedes 190. See: In a Mercedes through Chad Now I met some Chadians coming from Libya in a Toyota Yaris. In Tibesti you will have to fight big rocks, on the way going there soft sand. Maybe you will get stuck often, as I did in my Mercedes, but if you have time you will finally make it.

Well done
 

Well done, I wanted to go into the Tibesti in 2001, but went north through Sudan for different reasons. I am so impressed with this, and the colonel seems to be the way to get security. Well done and thanks for posting this.


As someone said above envious? Never.

Best wishes
Raf

Point Afrique has scheduled its first three flights from Paris to Chad (two on Ndjamena, one on Faya) for next month

The Point Afrique flights to Chad, and to Mauritania and Mali as well, have been canceled due to the killing of two French hostages.