Zakouma drive-in Safari, Chad

Planet

CARBON REDUCTION

Unlike the overwhelming majority of itineraries running to Chad today, this itinerary does not make use of any internal flights. Rather, we embark on the journeys between N'Djamena and Zakouma by vehicle - make no mistake, this is a long, hot and uncomfortable journey, but it offers a unique insight into Chad, and avoids the environmental damage of charter flights.

Accommodation used during this tour is situated deep within Zakouma. As such, the camp relies on solar power for all power sources, as there is no other option available. Pollution is almost nil, as the camp is designed to fit seamlessly within the ecosystem with no impact. During transfers, we use extremely basic fly-camps, using a chain hotel in N'Djamena, to ensure clients' safety.

We do not use any shared local, electric-powered or human-powered transport on this tour. However, we do recommend clients look into all available options for limiting the carbon output of their international flights.

All food throughout this tour, with the exception of the food served at the hotel in N'Djamena, is locally sourced and seasonal, usually purchased from local markets. Vegetarian and vegan options are available, although options may be more repetitive and limited than you are used to at home.

ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE

Our accommodation in Zakouma has almost no impact on the surrounding ecosystem, using water from a local borehole that is replenished naturally each season, and creating very little in the way of noise or light pollution. All energy is provided by solar panels. Our fly camp used during transfers has no footprint at all, as everything we bring to each site is packed out the next day.

The tour cost includes park fees and tourism taxes, all of which go directly towards the excellent work of the park management, African Parks, which is a highly-regarded South African NGO. These fees go directly towards activities including anti-poaching patrols, re-introduction and research projects, and community engagement initiatives. As a direct result of ecotourism ventures such as ours, species such as black rhino have been returned to Zakouma once more.

We ask clients to be respectful of nature and the environment on each of our tours. We have a zero tolerance policy towards any behaviour that damages or threatens any species. Clients are asked to understand that we will move away from sightings when an animal has chosen to leave our presence, and we will not pursue them. We will only leave the road in areas that are not environmentally sensitive. We will never remain at a sighting when we deem an animal to be vulnerable. At night, we will never spotlight an animal that is young, injured or otherwise vulnerable, and we strictly prohibit flash photography.

Local guides from villages around the park are employed throughout this tour, and guests further benefit from the presence of an experienced tour leader from airport pick-up to airport drop-off.

People

LOCAL ECONOMY

The main accommodation used during this tour, Tinga Camp, is owned and operated in partnership between the Chadian government and African Parks. Daily management of the camp is entirely run by members of the local community. Currently, accommodation used in N'Djamena is an international chain, due to a lack of appropriate locally-owned options in the city.

Throughout our stay in Zakouma, we employ local guides each day. During transfers, drivers and cooks are all Chadian. We also encourage all guests to visit a local craft market during their stay in Zakouma.

EMPLOYMENT, INCLUSIVITY AND DIVERSITY

Over 90% of people employed as the result of our visit are Chadian. Those employed during transfers are from N'Djamena and surrounding areas, but all local people employed in Zakouma are from small villages around the park. A small number of people employed in Zakouma are from South Africa or Europe. Despite deeply conservative attitudes in Chad, a growing number of employees in Zakouma are women. All employees are paid the minimum wage.

We remain deeply committed to diversity in our own workplace but, sadly, we regret that LGBTQ+ clients may feel uncomfortable during this tour due to archaic attitudes towards same-sex relationships. Our tour leaders do all they can to ensure LGBTQ+ clients feel safe and secure throughout their tour.

Due to the wild and inhospitable areas visited during this tour, the trip may not be suitable for clients with limited mobility or cognitive impairment.