With an idyllic location, south of the arid Sahara Desert and above lush rainforest regions, Zakouma National Park is a must-see safari destination for travellers looking for a unique and authentic African experience, far from mainstream tourist routes. Poaching has been virtually eradicated in this 3000-square-kilometre park and, as a result, Zakouma has become a safe haven for many species threatened elsewhere in Chad. Popular activities include bush dinners and picnics, as well as visits to local markets and nomad camps. The sheer volume of wildlife is breathtaking - with 44 species of large mammals including lion, giraffe, leopard and cheetah as well as numerous smaller mammals and 388 species of bird - but Zakouma's main success is its recovery of the elephant population.