Set at the confluence of the Logone and Chari rivers, on the Chad/Cameroon border, N’djamena is a bustling desert oasis and the capital city of Chad. While most visitors merely pass through on their way to the desert, the national parks, and the exquisite Lake Chad, those who linger will find a vibrant city containing colourful local markets, impressive mosques and an array of colonial buildings. The city is centred around the Grand Marche, a lively market where clothing, crafts, books, and food are sold. The nearby Avenue Charles de Gaulle provides a more formal shopping experience and features a number of shops, restaurants, bars and hotels. Other popular attractions include the Our Lady of Peace Cathedral, the National Museum, and the Nation Square (Place de la Nation), which is surrounded by lovely manicured gardens dotted with bronze statues depicting freed slaves and the country's most famous wildlife.
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.
Chad is a landlocked country in the heart of northern Africa known for its striking desert landscapes and diverse range of African wildlife. As it lies well off the beaten tourist track, Chad is an ideal destination for intrepid travellers seeking a rugged African adventure. Most travellers begin their Chadian explorations in the capital city of N’Djamena, which boasts vibrant local markets and a historic quarter filled with old colonial buildings. This bustling commercial centre typically serves as a springboard for the surrounding area, which features spectacularly scenic natural attractions. These include, among others: the exquisite Lake Chad, the towering volcanic Tibesti Mountains, the otherworldly desert landscapes of Ennedi, and the lush expanse of wilderness teeming with wildlife known as the Zakouma National Park.
