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The Ennedi plateau, Chad, January, 2024
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Our January 2018 Ennedi expedition was very successful in locating some of Bailloud's missing sites, however much remains to be visited in the Fada region, including several more sites the precise location of which is lost. On this trip we will make a visit of the South Western part of the Ennedi focusing on an area within a 50 kilometre radius from Fada, making a round of the principal sites but also exporing some smaller regions on foot in an attempt to re-locate lost sites (and possibly find unrecorded ones). We will also have the opportunity to visit the magnificent natural arches of the south western Ennedi. Mid-trip we will make the excursion to the amazing engravings (and other sites) of Niola Doa and will make an attemt at venturing into the Fada crater, a large ancient impact structure in the middle of the Ennedi. On the return we will pass by the amazing lakes of Ounianga, returning to N'Djamena via Faya-Largeau. Departure will be from N'Djamena.
The exact itinerary will be fine-tuned once I have the opportunity to read all the pertaining literature (some of which is very hard to find) on the list of rock art sites to visit, however the following is a broad outline:
Day 1-4. – N-Djamena - Abeche - Kalait - Bachikelé region
From N'Djamena we will need approximately three and a half - four days to reach the Ennedi. For the first two days we will follow the asphalt route to Abéche, before turning North towards Kalait & Archeï. All things going well we should be within sight of the first outcrops of the Ennedi by the third evening, but four days are planned to allow for any unexpected delays.
Day 5-8. – South-western Ennedi
We will start our rounds of the Ennedi at the arches (and guelta) of Bachikelé and Aloba, before continuing to Archeï. We will spend another three days in the regions south of Fada, visiting a number of less known but beautiful sites (Soro Kezenanga, Baradegolo, Taole Kokoli).
Day 9-14. – Fada - Niola Doa
The drive to Niola Doa is a good 2 days from Fada, traversing the Ennedi plateau then driving to Diona in the Mourdi deression, from where it is a half-day bumping along a very rough track to the Niola Doa plain. We will spend two days among the sites, visiting them at a leisrely pace, each in the best possible light condition. On our return, time permitting we might consider a foray into the Fada crater (at least a day in and out).
Day 15-18. – Ounianga Kebir - Faya
From the Mourdi we will contnue North West to the lakes of Ounianga, returning via Faya
Day 19-21. – Return to N'Djamena
It will be a three day drive back to N'Djamena along the dusty tracks of the Erd Djourab and the Bahr el Ghazal.
For information on expected costs, planned dates and any further questions, please send me an email.
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