Day 1
N'Djamena
Arrival in N'Djamena
Welcome, detailed briefing and full expedition equipment check. Update on permits and on conditions along the route.
HotelDîner
Expedition · 18 days
Tibesti Traverse
Eighteen days of expedition to the roof of the Sahara: Emi Koussi, the Trou au Natron and the Soborom springs.
- Duration
- 18 days
- Group size
- 4–8 travellers
- Difficulty
- Expedition
- Distance
- ≈ 3,320 km
From€6,900per person
Enquire about this journeyThe most committing expedition in our catalogue. The Tibesti is far, high and hard to reach; access depends closely on the security situation and on special permits. We only confirm a departure when every condition is met.
On the programme: the Trou au Natron caldera with its white natron floor, the active fumaroles of Soborom, the Toubou gorges and, for those who wish, the ascent of Emi Koussi at 3,415 metres — the highest point in the Sahara.
Highlights
- Emi Koussi, 3,415 m, the highest point in the Sahara
- The Trou au Natron: 8 km across, 1,000 m deep
- The fumaroles and mud baths of Soborom
- Toubou villages at Bardaï and in the gorges
- Departures confirmed case by case
Our journeys
Upcoming departures
Provisional calendar — dates and availability are to be confirmed with the agency.
9 January 202726 January 2027
Départ confirmé sous réserve des autorisations et de la situation sécuritaire
6 places left€6,900
Enquire about this journey
The route
N'Djamena → N'Djamena
18 days
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 2
310 km
To Moussoro
Out on the Massakori and Moussoro road, into the Sahel.
CampPetit-déjeuner, déjeuner, dînerDay 3
320 km
The Bahr el Ghazal
Up the Bahr el Ghazal, the former outlet of Lake Chad, now a dry valley. Camp in the dunes.
CampPetit-déjeuner, déjeuner, dînerDay 4
Faya-Largeau
380 km
Faya-Largeau, capital of the Borkou
Arrival in Faya, the largest oasis in the Chadian Sahara: palm grove, market, full resupply of fuel and water before the massif.
CampPetit-déjeuner, déjeuner, dînerDay 5
280 km
Towards the southern Tibesti
The track leaves the oasis and enters the stone desert. The first volcanic relief appears on the horizon.
CampPetit-déjeuner, déjeuner, dînerDay 6
Approaching Emi Koussi
Gradual climb on the shield volcano’s flanks. Base camp set at altitude, acclimatisation.
Base campPetit-déjeuner, déjeuner, dînerDay 7
Emi Koussi
Emi Koussi ascent
Ascent of the highest point in the Sahara, 3,415 m. Long but technically easy. Views over the 12-by-15 km summit caldera and its secondary cones.
Base campPetit-déjeuner, déjeuner, dînerDay 8
200 km
Descent and north
Down from the volcano and north through the massif, across the tarso — the high basalt plateaus.
CampPetit-déjeuner, déjeuner, dînerDay 9
180 km
The central Tibesti tarso
Across a lunar landscape of black flows, craters and lapilli fields.
CampPetit-déjeuner, déjeuner, dînerDay 10
Towards Tarso Toussidé
Approach to the most active sector of the massif, dominated by Ehi Toussidé, 3,315 m.
CampPetit-déjeuner, déjeuner, dînerDay 11
Trou au Natron
The Trou au Natron
Arrival on the rim of Doon Orei. Eight kilometres across, a thousand metres of drop, a white natron floor pierced by four black cones. Descent possible by a scree gully for the keenest.
Camp on the rimPetit-déjeuner, déjeuner, dînerDay 12
Soborom
The Soborom springs
An actively steaming fumarole field: sulphurous vapour above 100 °C, boiling mud pools, ground stained yellow and orange. Hot mud baths, as the Toubou have always taken them.
CampPetit-déjeuner, déjeuner, dînerDay 13
Bardaï
Bardaï and the gorges
Bardaï is the main centre of the Tibesti: a sunken palm grove, stone houses, a Toubou market. Exploration of the surrounding gorges and their rock engravings.
CampPetit-déjeuner, déjeuner, dînerDay 14
300 km
South again
Start of the long return. Back across the massif via the Korizo pass or Zouar depending on conditions.
CampPetit-déjeuner, déjeuner, dînerDay 15
350 km
The Borkou desert
A long leg over the reg. Camp in the Borkou dunes.
CampPetit-déjeuner, déjeuner, dînerDay 16
Faya-Largeau
220 km
Faya-Largeau
Back at the oasis: resupply, rest, market. Visit to the Borkou palm grove.
CampPetit-déjeuner, déjeuner, dînerDay 17
400 km
Down into the Sahel
A long leg south, with vegetation and herds gradually returning.
CampPetit-déjeuner, déjeuner, dînerDay 18
N'Djamena
380 km
Return to N'Djamena
Final leg via Moussoro and Massakori. Afternoon arrival, farewell dinner and airport transfer.
Petit-déjeuner, déjeuner, dîner
What's included
- Transport in equipped Toyota Land Cruiser 4×4 with driver-mechanic
- Chadian French-speaking guide (English on request)
- Cook and camp crew
- Full board throughout the itinerary
- Camping equipment: tent, mattress, table and chairs
- Unlimited mineral water
- Travel permits and site entrance fees
- Satellite phone support and first-aid kit
What's not included
- International flights to N'Djamena
- Chadian visa and processing fees
- Travel, repatriation and cancellation insurance (mandatory)
- Alcoholic drinks
- Tips for the team
- Personal expenses
Sites & heritage
