Chad Zakouma National Park Safari – 8 Days
| Duration | 8 Days / 7 Nights |
|---|---|
| Country | Chad |
| Price From | $5,495 USD per person |
| Tour Style | Wildlife Safari, Conservation, Small Group |
| Data Source | African Parks / Chad safari operators 2026 — Zakouma conservation success story |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in N’Djamena
Arrive in Chad’s capital. Transfer to your hotel. Afternoon at leisure: visit the National Museum, stroll through N’Djamena’s markets, or rest after your flight. Welcome dinner and safari briefing from your naturalist guide.
Day 2: N’Djamena to Zakouma — Flight to the Wild
Morning charter flight from N’Djamena to Zakouma National Park (approximately 2 hours). The approach offers your first views of the vast floodplains and acacia woodlands that make Zakouma one of Africa’s most important conservation areas. Settle into Tinga Camp, the park’s main lodge overlooking a waterhole frequented by elephants. Afternoon introductory game drive as the sun softens and wildlife emerges. Overnight at Tinga Camp.
Day 3: Zakouma — Elephant Country
Full day exploring Zakouma’s central floodplains. Zakouma’s elephant population is one of Africa’s greatest conservation success stories — from a low of 450 in the 2000s after rampant poaching to over 600 today, thanks to the management of African Parks. In the dry season (March-May), elephants gather in herds of hundreds at the park’s waterholes — one of the continent’s greatest wildlife spectacles. Game drives through varied habitats: open floodplains, acacia woodlands, and seasonal wetlands. Overnight at Tinga.
Day 4: Zakouma — Predators & Prey
Dawn and afternoon game drives focusing on Zakouma’s predators. The park supports healthy populations of lions, leopards, spotted hyenas, and, increasingly, wild dogs. The open floodplains offer excellent visibility for predator-prey interactions. Zakouma is also home to Chad’s only population of Kordofan giraffes — a critically endangered subspecies. Bird life is extraordinary: over 375 species, including black-crowned cranes, Abyssinian ground hornbills, and flocks of thousands of red-billed queleas. Overnight at Tinga.
Day 5: Zakouma — Rigueik Pan & Salamat River
Explore the Rigueik Pan, a vast seasonal floodplain that attracts enormous concentrations of wildlife, particularly during the dry season. The pan is excellent for buffalo, tiang (topi), hartebeest, and waterbuck. Continue to the Salamat River, a permanent water source lined with gallery forest. This area is excellent for leopard sightings and the rare red-fronted gazelle. Sundowner on the edge of the pan, watching the sky explode with color.
Day 6: Zakouma — Walking Safari & Night Drive
Morning guided walking safari with an armed ranger — experience the African bush at ground level. Learn to read tracks, identify birdsong, and understand the small wonders of the savanna ecosystem. Afternoon at leisure by the camp waterhole. After dark: a night drive in search of nocturnal species — genets, civets, nightjars, bush babies, and, with luck, leopards on the hunt. The African night is alive with sounds and movements rarely witnessed. Overnight at Tinga.
Day 7: Zakouma to N’Djamena — Last Safari
Final dawn game drive — the golden light, the cool morning air, and the last chance for an unexpected encounter. Return to camp for breakfast before the charter flight back to N’Djamena. Afternoon at leisure in the capital: souvenir shopping, relaxation, and farewell dinner at one of N’Djamena’s best restaurants, sharing photographs and memories.
Day 8: N’Djamena — Departure
Morning visit to the artisan market for last-minute Chadian crafts. Transfer to the airport for departure. Take home the knowledge that your visit directly supports Zakouma’s remarkable conservation story — tourism revenue helps fund anti-poaching efforts, community programs, and the protection of one of Central Africa’s last great wildlife strongholds.
What’s Included
• 7 nights (2 nights N’Djamena + 5 nights Tinga Camp, Zakouma)
• All meals
• Expert English/French-speaking naturalist guide
• Round-trip charter flights N’Djamena-Zakouma
• 8 game drives in open 4WD safari vehicles
• Guided walking safari
• Night drive
• Zakouma National Park fees ($40/day)
• Conservation contribution to African Parks
• Airport transfers
What’s Excluded
• International flights
• Chad e-Visa (€100)
• Travel insurance (mandatory)
• Alcoholic beverages
• Tips for guides & camp staff
• Personal expenses
• Yellow fever vaccination (mandatory)
