Just Call Me “Intrepid”
- Virtual Traveller 86
- May 3, 2020
- 2 min read
Day Two: Country No. 10
CHAD Arrival Time: 9:49pm
N’Djamena
The Republic of Chad is a landlocked country in north-central Africa. Even before coronavirus it was considered “extremely dangerous due to the risk of terorrism, kidnapping, unrest and violent crime...Terrorist attacks are a major risk in Chad, especially by the Nigerian militant group Boko Haram.” Just reading the advice on the British government website would be enough to deter me, never mind this statement from the Australian government!
According to Lonely Planet, in Chad “the art of travel here is demanding in every sense of the word. This, though, is part of the country’s allure, an opportunity to break emphatically away from all that you know, and come to a place that promises experience, good and bad, that happen nowhere else.” (This was written before the escalating tensions...I hope!).
A flight from Dubai is a lengthy one - the best I found was ten hours including one change. However, due to the blessings of technology it is both quicker, and safer, to explore Chad from the comfort of your own sofa. I took a tour that began in the capital city N’Djamena. Originally called Fort-Lamy, the “name N’Djamena was given to this city in 1973 and means ”place of rest” (airpano.com). I then travelled up to the isolated Ennedi Desert region - where according to the Lonely Plant - only “the most intrepid explorers head.”
Just call me “intrepid”.
Ennedi Massif
The Ennedi Massif “is termed the Sahara’s “Garden of Eden” because of its flora and fauna, and was also declared a World Heritage site because of its spectacular prehistoric rock paintings.” (Stefan Kröpelin, see end for reference). It is “a sandstone bulwark and its highest mountain, Basso, rises at 1,450 metres. Erosion, time and wind have created bizarre formations, such as columns, arches, towers and bridges...The overall area of Ennedi is around 60,000 km² and it can be compared to the area of Switzerland,” (airpano.com).
Top left: River Chari and the capital city of N’Djamena.
All other photos: Ennedi Massif: Julia Arch and surroundings.
All photos: Ennedi Massif
Top left: Stone Mushroom Top right: above Aloba Arch
Bottom left: Aloba Arch Bottom right: Gorge in the mountains of Ennedi
Top row photos: Abandoned local village near D’jedid
Bottom row: A gorge within the Ennedi
These amazing views would not have been possible without the stunning 360° photography of Airpano. It allows you to explore at your own pace and you can zoom in for closer detail. I can totally see why the Ennedi Massif is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Let’s hope the unrest and travel risks soon subside so that people can experience the beauty of Chad in person. The little scenery that I have seen is simply stunning.
So yes, having paid a brief visit to both capital and countryside it was time for me to move on again.
Depart Chad: 11:03pm
UNESCO Sites: An Opportunity for Chad; interview of Stefan Kröpelin by Frederike Müller, 04.07.2017; ref: https://www.dw.com/en/unesco-sites-an-opportunity-for-chad/a-39517531
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