Central African Republic & Chad Safari with Rocco Rava
Travel on an unforgettable and one-off journey combining two very unique counties. Unlike more popular safari destinations, the Central African Republic and Chad remain as hidden gems, providing a unique opportunity to explore untouched terrain, where untamed wilderness and extraordinary encounters await. This expert-led safari promises a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, conservation, and remarkable encounters in some of Africa’s few untouched wilderness areas.
Days 1 - 5: Dzanga-Sangha
The adventure begins with a flight from Bangui to Dzanga-Sangha, where the breathtaking beauty of the wilderness awaits you. Over the following few days, explore this biodiverse region, encountering elusive animals and witnessing nature’s beauties firsthand.
Sangha Lodge
Lying on the banks and overlooking the Sangha river, surrounded by lush riverine trees, this hidden gem is your gateway to the pristine wilderness of Dzanga National Park.
Continue to Zakouma National Park, a conservation success story. Here, under the expert guidance of Will and Rocco Rava, you’ll learn about the park’s astonishing change and current conservation efforts. Rocco Rava’s commitment to protecting Chad’s creatures and environments is evident as you see firsthand the good impact of conservation efforts in the region.
As you explore Zakouma’s huge plains and twisting rivers, you’ll have the opportunity to see big herds of elephants, discover nocturnal cats on night drives, and become immersed in the park’s diverse birdlife. Marvel at the clouds of millions of quelea birds as they set off through the early morning skies and come into roost as you enjoy sundowners on the pans.
Tinga Camp
Tinga Camp is set on the banks of the Tinga River, surrounded by impressive tamarind trees. This is a classic rondavel style camp, consisting of a total of 20 chalets. Tinga's comfortable main area has wonderful views over the surrounding bush and is the ideal spot to relax, do some birding or visit the underground hide within walking distance.
Zakouma National Park is a protected area located in southeastern Chad, in the region of Salamat. It was established in 1963 and covers an area of 3,000 square kilometers.
Your journey ends in the rough splendour of the Ennedi region, where towering rock formations and ancient landscapes await. Throughout your journey, you’ll be escorted by professional guides and conservationists who will help you appreciate Chad’s distinct ecosystems and the necessity of protecting them for future generations.
Warda Camp
Located in the Sahara region in the northeast of Chad, Ennedi Natural & Cultural Reserve is a natural sandstone masterpiece spanning an extensive 50,000 km2 of a sculpted landscape marked by cliffs, natural arches, mushroom rocks, giant labyrinths, and water catchments. Camp Warda gives the opportunity to explore this exceptional part of the Sahara in depth.
Rocco is an Italian-born Milanese nomad raised in the deserts of Africa, his childhood spread across the entire Sahara, from Mauritania to Algeria. More than 100 rock art sites have been identified by Rocco Rava, the African Parks manager, evaluating the potential for Ennedi to be established as a wildlife and cultural protected area. Rocco and Will have been friends for many years and share the same stance on exploratory travel and conservation alike. They have embarked on several remote adventures together and this one-of-a-kind itinerary is the result of a campfire conservation they shared in 2023.
Lying on the banks and overlooking the Sangha River, surrounded by lush riverine trees, this hidden gem is your gateway to the pristine wilderness of Dzanga National Park. Sangha Lodge features seven charming en-suite bungalows that provide modern comforts amidst the wilderness. Enjoy the luxury of hot and cold running water and the convenience of flush toilets in this remote setting. The lodge is run for the purpose of sustainable tourism and focuses on community involvement and development.
Tinga Camp is set on the banks of the Tinga River, surrounded by impressive tamarind trees. This is a classic rondavel style camp, consisting of a total of 24 chalets. Each room has en-suite facilities, mosquito nets and ceiling fans. Tinga’s comfortable main area has wonderful views over the surrounding bush and is the ideal spot to relax, do some birding or visit the underground hide within walking distance. The camp is in the heart of an excellent game viewing area and to explore this beautiful park, the camp offers game drives and night drives in open 4x4 vehicles and bush walks. A visit to the local community market is also a highlight of a visit to Zakouma.
Constant research, passion for traveling, naturally led to the heart of this breathless sandstone fortress. After many years working on the camp, the dream became true, also thanks to a desire of respect for this fragile ecosystem. The spectacular landscapes that have been discovered during these almost 30 years of exploratory journeys in Chad; the solid bonds woven with the locals; and the growing feeling that there is still much to discover in these places have led Warda to the conscious choice to put even deeper roots into this territory, which, while in appearance is arid and inhospitable, is certainly still virginal and intact.
