Zakouma National Park
Zakouma National Park is a 3,000-km² protected area in the south of Chad. Since management of the park was taken over by African Parks, in partnership with the Chadian government, this park has seen a resurgence of wildlife and has brought tourism to a beautifully unique but rarely visited part of the world.
Understand
History
Zakouma has a very bad history of poaching. Between 2002 and 2010, 95% of the park's elephants were poached. When the nonprofit conservation organization African Parks assumed management of the park in 2010, a serious overhaul of security was undertaken. More rangers were recruited and intense training took place, including a team on horseback allowing them to patrol farther afield. This effective law enforcement has secured not only the park, but also the larger region including communities surrounding and benefiting from the park. There were an estimated 4,300–4,350 elephants in Zakouma in 2002, and approximately 450 elephants in the park between late 2012 and April 2015. Following African Parks' assumption of management in 2010, and its extensive law enforcement and community engagement efforts, poaching dramatically declined and the herd has since stabilized, and has started to breed again. The park had more than 500 elephants, as of February 2017, possibly the largest single herd in Africa
In 2017, African Parks assumed management of Siniaka Minia Faunal Reserve, a protected area within the Greater Zakouma Ecosystem, which nearly doubled the footprint of the effective management.
Landscape
The land is largely flat but with many winding waterways, best viewed from the air. It is one of the last intact savannah ecosystems to be found in Central Africa.
Flora and fauna
The 'Big 5' live within Zakouma, however the black rhino population is unstable. Elephants can be seen in massive herds of around 500 - this is one of the last places on the continent where you can still see this. Zakouma is home to half of the world's population of Kordofan giraffe - a critically endangered subspecies. The park is a birding paradise with nearly 400 species having been recorded including tens of thousands of black-crowned cranes. The park is a critically important stopover on many species' migration routes.
Climate
Zakouma lies within an area just south of the Sahara Desert and just north of the rainforest regions of Central Africa. There is one intense wet season (May - October) and the hot dry season (November to May) which is when the best wildlife viewing is available.
Get in
The park is open to visitors from mid November to end May each year. This is outside of the flooding season when movement is very limited.
Zakouma is about 13 hour's drive from N'Djamena (860 km). You can rent a 4x4 in the capital for around 250,000 CFA per day including fuel and a driver. Due to roadblocks and other conditions in the country self-driving is advised against. If you choose to do so, then just ensure you have cash in the local currency to pay tolls along the way and that you have very clear directions.
You can also fly into the park with a charter company that has a contract with African Parks.
Fees and permits
Park fees are included in the lodge pricing as they are run by the park itself.
Internet is available in Tinga Camp, for US$10 a day.
Get around
If you rent a vehicle you can self-drive in the park with a ranger. Otherwise, twice-daily game drives are included in the lodge pricing.
Do
Activities while staying in the park include guided walks, local market visit, full day game drives, bush dinners, and a night out under the stars.
Buy
If you visit the local market just outside the park you can buy various souvenirs.
Sleep
Lodging
There are two camps available to stay in the park. Tinga Camp rates start at US$145 per person per night sharing in the low reason.
Camp Nomade is an exclusive lodge and you can only visit with a private guide on a bespoke tour.
Stay safe
Photography is not allowed in public places in Chad, and be particularly careful in the airport with cameras and phones. Zakouma has special permission for photography within the park though.