Tibesti / Chad
 

We are back from an absolutely superb three weeks in the Tibesti Mountains, taking the Point Afrique flight to Faya - a dream since 20 years fulfilled! Things went surprisingly smoothly, no hassles, no substantial issues, a very positive first encounter with the land and its people. Never had any concerns about safety/security, seems to be an island of calm in the Sahara for the present.

Some preliminary photos here: https://www.facebook.com/FJexpeditions

A trip account will be posted on my website when I can manage the time to do it, hopefully within a couple of weeks.

Good to hear, hope it stays calm for a few years!

Looking forward to looking through all the photos on the FB page - looks amazing.

Greets

Daniel

Looks spectacular.

:funmeteryes:

Tibesti / Safety & Security
 

Prompted by several messages, a personal first-hand assessment of the present situation in Chad
APPLICABLE TO THE FAYA - BORKU - TIBESTI REGION ONLY

Overall safety / security

Never had any feelings of discomfort, attitude of both officialdom and locals very relaxed and friendly. Very clearly the Tibus are in complete control of the area, and are fully aware of what is going on. (A good example: we had some disagreement on camel prices to ascend Emi Koussi at one place, we moved on to make the ascent from another place at two days' driving distance, ~80km. The camel owners at the destination already knew about this without any means of communication other than walking from one place to another...) The terrain is very difficult to access with vehicles (average speed 20-30kph on 'roads', practically impassable elsewhere), there are minefields everywhere (some marked, some not) so without a knowledgeable local guide attempting to cross the area is like playing Russian roulette, and the Tibus long-standing reputation to being less than friendly to uninvited strangers pretty effectively prevents the 'troubles' elsewhere in the Sahara spilling over to the region. As long as one maintains a good relationship with the locals (and yes, this does come at a price, in fact there is an agreed price-list for maintaining good relations, payable in hard cash in every village to the local chief) the region may be considered reasonably safe for western visitors, provided the current truce between the Tibus in the North and the Government in the South holds.

Hassles / officialdom

Have experienced none. While we had to 'check-in' with military authorities at every larger village we passed, all these stops were quick, good spirited and hassle free. There are no formal check-points anywhere, but I got the impression that if one would 'forget' to check in at the local sous-prefecture, a couple of AK-47s would greet one on waking up the next morning...

The locals were reserved but friendly, like everywhere children were more curious but always in a polite way. Some like being photographed, some don't, so ALWAYS ask before taking photos of people, especially women.

Mines

They are literally EVERYWHERE near terrain passable with vehicles. Contrary to what most sources say, the majority do not date from the Libya - Chad war, but from the much more recent Tibesti rebellion times which only ended 4-5 years ago. There is a considerable marking / clearing operation on the way funded by the EU, currently work is focusing on the Zouar - Bardai track. Known roadside minefields are marked with a perimeter of stones painted white/red (white on the safe side, red on the danger zone side), but there may be mines anywhere off the tracks, as innumerable wrecked vehicles clearly indicate. There is little incentive to clear the mines and mark the known areas outside the currently used tracks, as most are anti-vehicle mines, posing relatively little threat to locals on foot and camels (and they know where they are anyway, as they have planted most of them during the rebellion). In fact locals see the threat of mines (both real and perceived) as a form of protection against infiltration of unwanted outsiders from both Libya and Niger.

One must never let one's guard down. After passing for two days through an area without any known mines, on our very last day in the vicinity of Faya (which was mostly cleared) we by-passed a very nasty stretch of track by climbing the hard sand arc of an encroaching barchan dune. The far slope led down straight into a marked-off area, with the near side covered by the dune and probably already under us as we stopped. We backed up the dune VERY carefully...

Thanks.
What differences with the algerian sahara ?, is algerian sahara always the best of the sahara ?

Much more wild, untamed. There is a strange paradox of a sense of ultimate remoteness combined with a 'living' desert. There are people and villages everywhere, but as if in a different dimension and era. A village marked on a map is perhaps ten houses built of twigs and mats. A town two-three dozen... Items that I would call archaeological artifacts elsewhere are in everyday use.

Hard to convey in words, pictures will better tell the story.

Il like this knd of wilderness, the ennedi plateau will be a future destination for me.
Do you know the immidir in Algeria ?, a very wild plateau with big canyons ( only accessible by foot and camels not pass everywhere), il felt the same remoteness when i was here.

I have never been to the Immidir, but I expect the Tadjelahine near Iherir would be quite similar based on pictures I saw.

The Tibesti is very different, unlike anything I have ever encountered before. Those huge volcanoes sitting on a base of sandstone have produced an incredibly varied landscape, almost every day we have passed an environment totally unlike the day before.

The Ennedi is dramatic, but more in line with the sandstone landscapes encountered elsewhere in the Sahara.

Here's a photo of some bombs in the desert 100km or so south of Faya, N.Chad. There is so much of this stuff about in N Chad.

Interesting. Could mean that the region will never be demined.

I have completed the first installment of our Tibesti trip account:
http://www.fjexpeditions.com/frameset/tibesti14.htm

...but not quite up to EU playground safety standards yet...
 

You probably didn't hear about this tragedy - because it happened in Chad, not Chelsea

Of note, this accident befell gold miners from the South who probably came to the area without having a proper local guide (and probably without telling anyone...).

I had a few days in Chad last week during which I heard about the gold rush in the north and the tragic land mine incident. I understand that the government has banned people from travelling to the gold area now because of the incident. One of the guys who works for the Mine Ministry showed me a photo on his mobile of a bit of the gold that was found there.

I also learnt that the Chad military has active bases at a bunch of places including Zouar, Yeboubou, Bardai and Tenoua. The French fly routine patrols out of Faya too.

The landmines are clearly an impediment to travel in the north of Chad. But I've been wondering if they also act as a disincentive to AQIM. I'm surprised that AQIM haven't had a go at kidnapping in N Chad as yet. They most likely have a strong presence in 'nearby' southern Libya which is a safe-haven for AQIM now. But perhaps one reason for the lack of AQIM activity in N Chad is that the escape routes from northern Chad to Libya run down restricted mine-free corridors which are easy for the military to block/patrol and AQIM is not confident to go off-piste, like they have in N Mauri, N Mali, N Niger and southern Algeria, with all those mines about.

Tibesti
 

I have finally managed to complete our Tibesti trip account, plus have added a short bibliography for further reading:
Tibesti Expedition, Chad - January 2014

I enjoyed your pictures and commentary immensely. Thank you for sharing your trip.

What is your opinion on the possibilities to cross the Libyan border to the north?

Officially I'd say chances are pretty slim. You need travel permits issued in N'Djamena and I think you would need a pretty good story (or very deep pockets) to get approval to travel anywhere close to the border. However I'd be more concerned about who/what I find on the other side, rather than how to get across the dotted line only marked on a printed map.

As we all know, with experience and good local contacts you can get to pretty much anywhere in the Sahara as long as you don't advertise your presence and intentions. I know someone who was repeatedly in the Dohone (Libyan part of the Tibesti) organizing things from the South, and I believe he did not bother with paperwork...

If you have any more specific questions, you can contact me through my website.

In the past couple of weeks I have been sitting over books, maps and articles (plus Google Earth), planning a more ambitious journey to the Tibesti for the next year. Our target will be the amazing rock art sites in the Ouri depression (Korossom, Karnasahi, Fofoda, etc.), which are very little known but are among the most important prehistoric paintings of the Sahara. The plan is to do a camel supported trek of about 180 kilometres to get in to the area:
Eastern Tibesti, Chad - February 2015

Our January expedition to the incredibly remote (even by Saharan standards!) Ouri Plain along the Eastern side of the Tibesti Mountains was one of the ultimate desert experiences. The objectives were primarily to see the magnificent rock art of the region, but in doing so we have crossed some of the most grandiose and untamed landscapes of the planet. I have uploaded the first part of our trip account, updates will follow:

Tibesti Expedition, Chad - January-February 2015


http://www.fjexpeditions.com/expedit...ti15/p1118.jpg

Nice tree

Tibesti - Chad
 

Dear Andras - thanks a lot for sharing this great Expedition
:thumbup1:
Ursula

Added another update over the week-end:
Tibesti Expedition, Chad - January-February 2015


http://www.fjexpeditions.com/expedit...ti15/P7961.jpg

Trip account now complete.
Tibesti Expedition, Chad - January-February 2015

http://www.fjexpeditions.com/expedit...ti15/p2831.jpg

Just back from another great trip to Chad, this time to the Ennedi. A quick preview of photos here while the trip account is in the works:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...6435853&type=3

Just for curiosities sake, if one were travelling around Africa via motorcycle and wanted to stop in Chad simply for the sake of going there, what would be your top recommendations? As far as I know, its a given that it is considered a dangerous country, maybe in some parts more than others. Without trying to discourage what could make a great trip if done with a bit of planning, what would you suggest in regards to entry points, and a little bit of exploring without getting beheaded or land mined?

Wanted,

The problem with a DIY Chad trip on any number of wheels is that it is pretty much a dead end. At present the only open route is via Cameroon, the Lake Chad route to Nigeria/Niger is BH country and you would not be permitted to go anywhere near. CAR, Sudan (Darfur) and Libya are all busy with an ongoing civil war, and again you would not be permitted to go anywhere near the border (and you would be rather unwise to cross in any case). Even the Cameroon route is rather dodgy, it is uncomfortably close to the BH hideouts in Nigeria.

The interior of Chad itself is pretty quiet and peaceful at the moment (save for the Lake Chad area), but there is occasional banditry along the main roads in the south, and traveling solo is not the best idea. You need to have an 'Authorisation de Circuler' issued in N'Djamena in any case, and while technically it is possible to obtain it for independent travel, you need to have a good story. Usually it is issued to agencies.

Both the Ennedi and the Borku-Tibesti regions are beautiful, one of the finest (and at present most accessible) Saharan landscapes, but they are a mighty long way to go, if you need to go back again via Cameroon. You need to have a local guide in both places, primarily to keep you off mined areas, and also to facilitate your 'protection' (yes, that mens handing out cash to the right people), to arrange fuel and anything else necessary (there are no fuel stations, and especially in the Tibesti you need to have a pre-arranged supply along your planned route).

Thanks for the reply man,

What a shame that such beautiful parts of the world are just too dangerous due to such stupid reasons. Some of these militants really need to chill lol. Maybe one day eh

I've found this on Le Monde:

"Un Français enlevé au Tchad, annonce le Quai d’Orsay
Le Monde | 23.03.2017 à 13h53 • Mis à jour le 23.03.2017 à 15h25



Le ministère des affaires étrangères français a confirmé, jeudi 23*mars, l’enlèvement d’un Français au Tchad, sans donner de précision sur son identité. «*Nous sommes mobilisés avec les autorités tchadiennes pour parvenir à la libération de notre compatriote*», écrit le Quai d’Orsay dans un communiqué.
De source militaire tchadienne, le Français a été enlevé tôt ce matin dans la zone de Goz Beida, près de la frontière avec le Soudan, par des hommes venus en pick-up et à moto, sans qu’il y ait pour l’instant de piste claire sur les ravisseurs.

En savoir plus sur [url=http://abonnes.lemonde.fr/carte/#K7egwd69VMUPPbSZ.99]Carte anim

Thanks for the info roro. Here's an English translation.


"Frenchman abducted in Chad, announces the Quai d'Orsay
Le Monde | 23.03.2017 at 13h53 • Updated on 23.03.2017 at 15h25

The French foreign ministry confirmed Thursday (March 23rd) the kidnapping of a Frenchman in Chad, without giving any details about his identity. "We are mobilized with the Chadian authorities to achieve the liberation of our compatriot," wrote the French Foreign Ministry in a statement.

A Chadian military source says the Frenchman was abducted early this morning in the area of ​​Goz Beida, near the border with Sudan, by men coming in pick-up and motorcycle, without there being at the moment a clear track on the kidnappers.

[url=http://abonnes.lemonde.fr/carte/#K7egwd69VMUPPbSZ.99]Carte anim

Good to know Goz Beida is in the south of Chad, not in Ennedi or Tibesti!

Always thought the FCO managed to get it all wrong. Never felt uncomfortable in the red North, but was always glad to leave the Abeche road which is 'only' yellow.


We had a rather difficult but very successful trip to the Ouri Plain in the Eastern Tibesti in February, will get to the trip account eventually as soon as I've cleared the pile of backlog.

Abducted frenchman freed in Sudan
 

Understandably eclipsed by other news about France:
http://www.lemonde.fr/international/...3668_3210.html

Ennedi account
 

To introduce some action to the summer doldrums, here is the account of our 2018 January trip to the Ennedi:
Ennedi Expedition, Chad - January 2018


http://www.fjexpeditions.com/expedit...di18/P8821.jpg

Things kicking off a bit in far northern Chad: https://sahelblog.wordpress.com/2018...-ccmsr-rebels/
Long way from most tourism, what there is of it.

Also halfway through reading this long but very interesting and well written report from last year.
Paints a good picture of the BET in recent years.
Enough clans and factions to keep life interesting.

These Mercedes trucks, very tough indeed!
RR.

Tourism in Tibesti - Chad
 

"Things kicking off a bit in far northern Chad: https://sahelblog.wordpress.com/2018...-ccmsr-rebels/
Long way from most tourism, what there is of it."


PS:
KB is located in the middle between Murzuk in Libya and Zouar in the Tibesti,
there is no more tourism since decades
Ursula

Have not managed to find any precise location for Kouri Bougoudi, but found reports indicating it is in one of the gold mining areas, which would place it well south of the border. Apparently on the 1st September the Chadian airforce used Mi24 helicopters to attack targets (claimed to be civilian) in the Enneri Miski and at Yebbi Bou, which are both in the south central part of the Tibesti, nowhere near Libya (and ON the tourist trail).

https://www.acleddata.com/2018/09/04...eptember-2018/

Tibesti - KB and Miski
 

good morning

there are 2 different places mentioned - Miski and KB

http://up.picr.de/33759970vp.jpg

Chris link to the article with the map
http://www.smallarmssurveysudan.org/fileadmin/docs/working-papers/SAS-CAR-WP43-Chad-Sudan-Libya.pdf

Ursula

Out of curiosity I tried to find evidence of KB on aerial maps.
Found tracks leading to where it might be on the edge of dunes, but not actual mine site.

KB is very near the Libyan border 'spike' below where it turns down SE and SW.
The report talks of people nipping over for a day or night's work, to avoid patrols or militias.

The whole story of this recent Sahara-wide gold rush is interesting and little reported.
Seems to be a free-for-all which in the east, spread out from an established mine in Darfur to northern Sudan, Tibesti, Djado. Tchibarakaten below the Nig-Alg border, south of Erg Killian is better known, or more notorious.

More on Tchibarakaten here
https://www.wsj.com/articles/stirrin...1?redirect=amp

Amazes me how they know where to even start. I was told once there is gold in sand if you sift enough of it.


Plus more Chad reading for the devoted connoisseur from the intrepid J Scheele [not free]

Chad - Enneri Miski
 

end of october again

http://www.rfi.fr/afrique/20181104-t...-miski-tibesti


"Des affrontements entre l'armée et des présumés terroristes ont eu lieu mercredi 31 octobre à Miski dans la région du Tibesti. L'armée avait affirmé avoir répondu à une attaque de la rébellion tchadienne. Selon le sous-préfet de Yebbi-Bou, l'armée aurait utilisé des moyens aériens et d'artillerie pour s'en prendre aux populations civiles."

I understand the local Tubu population in Miski is in control of the goldmines. (Before Sudanese were in charge). In the end of october the Deby government tried to take over control, but failed. It seems really a lot of money can be earned from goldmining in Tibesti.

Gerbert van der Aa
Author of "In Search of the Tuareg"
vanderaa-publishing.com

Chad Ennedi Borkou Tibesti Trip 2018/19
 

Good Morning
In summer SVS from N‘Djamena proposed us to visit the region of the southern slopes of the Emi Koussi.
But after the bombing of Yebbi Bou and all the troubles with the gold miners, the military closed the whole area, we could not travel to Siniga, Onnour, Tigui Cocoina - the Enneri Miski is controlled by the army.

We had nevertheless a great and save trip, NW Ennedi and Borkou are fantastic!
Some pictures are on Flickr – enjoy!
https://www.flickr.com/photos/726643...57702429183001
(click on the image to see more details)

All the best
Ursula

a map
 

.

Chad Tibesti - Peace ?
 

good news !

https://www.dw.com/fr/accord-de-paix...had/a-51216537

Ursula

Tibesti - Kouri
 

«Six Chadian soldiers killed in two separate terrorist attacks over 24 hours: On Friday 4 September, a vehicle from the
intelligence services was stopped in broad daylight in Kouri, near the Libyan border. Three gunmen killed three passengers
of the vehicle and wounded two others, according to the Governor of Tibesti province.
Northern Chad is known to be an unstable region, due to the presence of illegal gold miners, armed bandits and rebel groups hostile to President Deby»

https://reliefweb.int/report/chad/ch...september-2020

Normal service resuming in Chad
 

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/...-northern-chad

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/...ed-of-injuries

Indeed. We had a fine run for six years, sounded too good to last...

a bit more analysis
 

https://nos.nl/artikel/2377687-presi...in-tsjaad.html

https://globalinitiative.net/analysi...ty-chad-sahel/

So, according to "official reports" he won the election, and the day after went to the front and was killed by rebels.
People I know with some insight tend not to believe that story.

Chad - Deby
 

Mahamat Adamou expressed doubts about the official version in an interview with "Der Standard"
«Neben der offiziellen Version ist oft zu hören, dass er nach seiner Rückkehr von der Front in N’Djamena einem Attentat zum Opfer gefallen sei.
Und wer dann dahinterstecken könnte, da gibt es auch unzählige Gerüchte.»

In another interview in NY Times:
« French official with long experience in the Sahel said on Tuesday that Mr. Déby had been in the north participating in the fight against the rebels.
We’ll never know if he was injured by a rebel bullet or by simply falling from his command car »

This article has a pretty good analysis and suggests alternative scenarios.
One that he was negotiating with the rebel leaders and killed after that, somehow.
And the other, more likely, that he was killed by his own.
His own nephew is a leader of another rebel group!
Any case, guess Chad will be off limits for a while now.

The lesson from the last decade is that if the opportunity opens to visit some interesting spot or region in the Sahara, better go-go-go as it may change quickly. :(

Chad - N'Djamena - Berdoba
 

Chad ?
 

https://www.jeuneafrique.com/1172245...voir-sa-copie/

https://issafrica.org/iss-today/demo...military-might

How Idriss Deby died ?
 

Back from Tibesti expedition
 

My first post in here although I've been a watcher for far too long. We are back from a long overland expedition including 6 weeks in Northern Chad, mostly deep in the Tibesti. Things flared up there prior to the expedition although everything was mostly smooth sailing. It is a deeply wild and wonderful place to explore with a 4x4. Anyone, let me know if you have any specific questions about anything in that area.

Nice pictures. Got any more?
Was this a Spazi (or similar) tour or were you travelling independently?

Chad - Tibesti
 

that's good news - thanks!
Can you roughly describe the itinerary for us?
Was there an area for which you did not get a permit?
Ursula

It was an independent journey throughout. Approaching from the direction of N'Guimi, Niger, across the north of Lake Chad to the town of Bol; a few days exploring the islands of Lake Chad by boat and then continuing to Ndjamena, and then north to the Tibesti (the focus), Lakes of Ounianga, southwards to Abeche, Am Timam, Zakouma and Sarh, exiting at Sido to C.A.R. 6 Weeks in the North, 2 in the South.

A few photos here from Lake Chad + Bol. There was a fair amount of hassle with the local police to get permission to take a boat out to the islands on the Lake, but after several hours of discussions, it was agreed with an escort.

A couple of photos heading north from Lake Chad/Ndjamena towards the Tibesti.

In and around Bardai. We continued a bit further north from Bardai to the 'Aozou Strip' near to the border with Libya.

Some pictures from around Zouarke, Zouar, Gouro, tanks left over from the war with Libya and some illegal gold miners (near Miski).

Besides the bad smell, the lakes of Ounianga is a haven to camp for a few nights after emerging from the Tibesti. The route south to Abeche was more difficult than in Tibesti (which was very rocky and slow going). We skirted the fringes of the Ennedi due to time, and had previously explored the area in depth.

Finally, a few photos from the south of Chad; the ruins of Ouara, the Sphinx Valley, Zakouma National Park and roads towards Central African Republic.

Hi Ursula,

Of course, as an overview the itinerary for Chad was:
- Arriving from the direction of N'guigmi, Niger, to Bol and Lake Chad then a detour to Ndjamena.
- North from Ndjamena to Zouarke-Zouar-Wour-Bardai-Aouzou Strip near Libya border-(many weeks criss-crossing Tibesti)-Lakes of Ounianga
- South to Abeche and then Am Timan, Zakouma National Park, Sarh, exiting to Central African Republic.

There was no area we ultimately failed to get a permit for, sometimes we were left alone, sometimes we had to take a police escort, but for the most part we had few complications.

A few photos and descriptions uploaded :)

Independently, mostly map based + GPS. Soviet topo 1:200,000 series (very hard to find, but great).

Thanks for sharing some gorgeous photos to this oft forgotten corner of the world. Super jealous, as my plans to visit Chad fell apart recently.

You are most welcome. You are right, it is a very beautiful (and forgotten) part of the world (equally true of much of Africa, including most parts of often visited countries....). I am sorry to hear your plans fell through for Chad and hope that you get a chance to see it soon. For first impressions I recommend Ennedi in general over Tibesti, which was skipped mostly on this trip.

For those interested in seeing the continuation from Chad to Central African Republic, I've started to put a few pictures and comments up in the Sub-Saharan Africa section (a work in progress) - https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hu...579#post625717

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-61633026

Clashes between Chad gold miners leave 100 dead

Wow, amazing pictures.Surely putting this on my bucket list.

Thanks for sharing about your trip! We have been eyeing Chad for a future destination. Any particularly procedures for bringing your own vehicle into the country beyond the usual?

We are very familiar with border crossings in S&E Africa, and I have also cleared many vessels into various ports around the world, so normally I just show up with all the paperwork I've got (the more the better!), patience and am friendly and that gets me through.

When is the best time to visit this corner of the sahara for having the best chance of cloudless skies and no dusty sandstorms, start of winter/november or nearer the end in March?

Thanks

Diamond

I am also interested in this. Is there a typical "windy" season in the Sahara?

great Chad
 

Chad has different zones, from tropically humid nights to those where the water in the bottles freezes.

According to my experience, there was less sand wind in November December than in February March –
but you always have to reckon with that, especially between Bahr el Ghazal and Faya.

Picture made 1st Dec 2021 in the Ennedi mountains
https://www.flickr.com/photos/182588...posted-public/

January 2016 Ennedi
https://www.flickr.com/photos/726643...2182/lightbox/

January 2019 Emi Koussi / southern Tibesti
https://www.flickr.com/photos/726643...3001/lightbox/

February 2017 Salal
https://www.flickr.com/photos/182588...3488/lightbox/

To travel with your own car you need the assistance of a local travel agency

all the best
Ursula

Chad - Tibesti March 2022
 

Good News :

it is possible to get permits for the Tibesti mountains again!

The video of a group that traveled to Chad in March 2022

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlHWVVv0y_k

Hi I am trying to get a Chad visa and based in the UK I need to apply to their Brussels embassy. Does anyone know if I have to go in person or can I mail my documents to them with a self addressed courier labelled included with my application for example?

I don't speak French so can't call them and they don't respond to emails

Thanks

Diamond

the adventure with the visa
 

Hello Diamond

one of my travel buddies always flies to Brussels and gets the visa in one day.

A belgian friend has to go twice to Brussels to get the visa, which takes 3 days.

I can do the whole thing in Geneva by registered mail, it takes about a week.

Are there also visa services in Great Britain? maybe they are cheaper than flying there?

good luck - Ursula

( example https://www.visahq.co.uk/chad/Chad-T...pplication.pdf )

Tibesti Nov Dec 2022
 

it was really possible to visit Tibesti again!

Route: N'Djamena - Faya - Gouro - Ouri and back with a local travel agency

some pictures on
https://www.flickr.com/photos/182588...77720304360241

all the best
Ursula

we passed old mine accidents

https://up.picr.de/45087761gk.jpg

https://up.picr.de/45087756ch.jpg

Tibesti Nov Dec 2022
 

https://up.picr.de/45087973ng.jpg


https://up.picr.de/45237179mq.jpg


https://up.picr.de/45237183zg.jpg


https://up.picr.de/45237203bv.jpg


more on https://www.flickr.com/photos/182588...77720304360241

Dear Ursula,
There were any Toubou barriers where you had to pay?
Best Regards
Artur

Tibesti Chad - Security
 

Dear Artur
Do you mean roadblocks where a « tax » was « required » ?
I didn't notice any of that.
But a few years ago, during a passport control in Ounianga, we were "persuaded" to "donate" a larger sum to the local health station.

We traveled with local guides who were from or lived in the area.

However, there was a lot of traffic in the direction to/from the Libyan border, especially at night we heard the convoys driving through.
Even during the day, pick-ups suddenly appeared out of clouds of dust, chatted briefly and then disappeared again just as quickly as they had appeared.

All the best
Ursula

https://up.picr.de/45629780jn.jpg



https://up.picr.de/45629782dy.jpg



https://up.picr.de/45629791zr.jpg

Hi,
Yes, I thought about roadblocks.
We would like to travel to Ouri next season or on 2025, and I check carefully the conditions there, because we were in central Tibesti two month ago and we paid a lot on roadblocks (one of them was dangerous).
The trip was:
Route: Ndjamena-Faya-Zouarke-Trou au Natron-Bardai-Azouni-Zoumri-Yebbi Souma-Yebbi Bou-Tarso Kozen-Bini Erda-Gouro-Faya-Ounianga Kebir-Wadi Doum-Bir Kora-Bichigarra-Ndjamena.The trip was absolutely splendid, except four Toubou barriers where we had to pay:
1. before Yebbi Souma - arranged by local community
2. after Yebbi Souma - aranged by local community
3. ca 30km after Yebbi Bou on the way to Tarso Kozen and Gouro - Miski bandits
4. ca 50km after Yebbi Bou - arranged by local community.
There is no way to bypass these barriers on this route. Local communities barrier are permanent.
Total we pay ca no less 500 euro per person (only in CFA), but you can expect to pay much more - it depends on the current decision of the boss of the barrier. It's a goldfield and they don't know what low rates are.
Local community barriers (expensive) - we knows about them before and we were ready to pay, so quite no problem.
But the Miski bandits barrier (very expensive) was really dangerous.
I know there were 2 other groups the same route last season - they paid too.
In the begining of April appeared a group of rebels in Zouarke area (information - porte parole Tchadian army command).
Regards
Artur

Tibesti security
 

This is a dangerous development.
Zouarke - Miski - Yebbi Bou is a no-go area for me since the fights for the gold deposits started
Already years ago we made always very unpleasant experiences in Yebbi Bou and Miski
but as far as I know we did not have to pay to pass

This from 2019
https://www.crisisgroup.org/africa/c...ontation-miski

Recent travels in Chad
 

https://afrikkaanafrikkaan.fi/tsad

https://afrikkaanafrikkaan.fi/wp-con.../10/Tsad90.jpg

Ha! I know this car. I have been driving it in April 2023 Ennedi-Ounianga-Faya route. The 3rd gear did not work after I reached Ennedi, otherwise fine. Here is more recent picture, from around Mourdi Depression:

Looks the perfect adventure...

With 4wd you can remove the cardan and keep going on front wheel drive if the rear is shot.
If the bearing is shot, you were ill prepared. Always carry spares.
I learn that the hard way
https://scontent-arn2-1.xx.fbcdn.net...nw&oe=653E4E46
In this case the whole rear axle needed replacement. Poorly serviced then.
No tools, no knowledge, lack of water = low survivability.
To boot, he had a plane to catch...:innocent:

Maybe they strayed a little too close to Ouadi Doum ;-)

Chad - Tibesti
 

It was pretty much a perfect adventure despite the fact that the rear axle had to be replaced in the middle of nowhere and that the car broke down again between Bitkine and Bokoro (different reason that time) and I had to take a bush taxi to N'Djamena. Luckily I had left a full 4 buffer days before flying out of Chad. July is the best time to travel to the Chadian Sahara! ;)https://afrikkaanafrikkaan.fi/wp-con...10/Tsad102.jpg