Anyone been to the north of Chad recently?
 

My thread on south Algeria turned up some pretty useful info, but got me worrying a little on how safe it is at the moment, what with all these folk going missing down there.

What the situation on Chad at the moment? Specifically the north around Faya-Largeaux?

Would I need a travel permit from Ndjamena to be allowed to head up there?

Are they issuing these permits readily?

How's the best way to get to the north? Taxis? Buses?

On a two week timescale, would it end up being a terrible rush?

If the north is going to be a huge problem, is Lake Chad worth visiting?

Thanks in advance.

MD.

You need a military permit to head north of the Ndjamena - El Fasher road. We spoke with guides when we were in Ndjamena about the possibility of going up there. Needed permits which takes some time to acquire and they weren't interested in going further north than Faya / Fada. The security situation up there is not good and I don't think its actually allowed. My other impression was One would have significant issues trying to travel on public transport. Also at least 50% of all the travellers we met got mugged in Chad. We did and we had our own vehicle. Lone travellers on public transport seemed to be particularly at risk. One way of avoiding this and getting where you want to go would be to use a travel agency in Ndjamena. But you looking at significant money - US$120+ per day. Lake Chad was pretty good although the tracks are poor. If you don't have your own vehicle then might not be to great. Villages were fairly poor but countryside is great. We bush camped so that was good but wouldn't want to stay in the villages. We got stoned and robbed in Masakory. Heard of others that got robbed in Bol.

Last I heard Faya is not accessible, Tibesti is definately out of the question but Ennedi and Ouniangas may be OK, notwithstanding the perils that Toby outlines above.
What is happening in Algeria lately would be the norm in north Chad, if indi travellers dared venture there.
In the time you have available I would say a 2-3 week tour in Niger would fit the bill.

More at
http://www.sahara-overland.com/country/niger.html


Chris S