Nestled in the southeastern heart of Chad, Zakouma National Park (Arabic: حديقة زاكوما الوطنية) covers an impressive 3,000 square kilometers (around 1,158 square miles) of breathtaking landscapes. This remarkable park lies at the crossroads of the Guéra and Salamat Regions, making it a vital ecological treasure for the country. Established in 1963, Zakouma proudly holds the title of Chad’s oldest national park, enjoying the highest level of protection under national law.
What makes Zakouma truly special is its incredible diversity of wildlife and stunning scenery, featuring sprawling savannahs, lush woodlands, and vibrant seasonal wetlands. Since 2010, the park has flourished under the dedicated management of the nonprofit organization African Parks, which partners closely with the Chadian government. Together, they are on a mission to breathe new life into Zakouma’s ecosystems and safeguard its rich biodiversity, which includes several endangered species.
Thanks to these ongoing efforts, Zakouma has transformed into a sanctuary for wildlife, drawing ecotourism and conservation enthusiasts from around the globe. Each visit to this enchanting park offers a unique opportunity to witness nature at its finest, making it a must-see destination for anyone passionate about the environment.
Important Thing About Zakouma National Park
Zakouma National Park stands as a beacon of hope in a region where many species face the brink of extinction. Its importance stems from two key factors. First, by prioritizing security, stability, and the involvement of local communities, Zakouma has emerged as a sanctuary for countless endangered species that have vanished from other areas in Central and West Africa. Second, it showcases the remarkable outcomes that can arise from a zero-tolerance conservation strategy, especially in a landscape infamous for its rampant poaching and illegal wildlife trade.
The government’s decision to entrust this national treasure to a foreign NGO was met with controversy. While African Parks has made significant strides in conservation, its strict management of park boundaries has sparked criticism. Some argue that these measures displace local residents and infringe upon their traditional lands and lifestyles.
Chad’s oldest national park has long been plagued by poaching, with its majestic elephants being a prime target. In the 1970s, the park was home to around 22,000 elephants, but by 2010, nearly 90 percent had been killed for their ivory. The chaos of civil war and lawlessness allowed notorious groups like the Janjaweed to cross into Chad from Sudan, terrorizing local communities and wreaking havoc on the outskirts of the park, all while the country struggled to restore order.
However, the tide has turned. Thanks to African Parks’ robust, quasi-militarized conservation efforts, the rampant poaching that once threatened Zakouma’s wildlife has dramatically decreased. Now, the park not only serves as a haven for endangered species but also as a testament to what can be achieved through determination and innovative conservation strategies.
Best Time To Visit Wildlife Park
The optimal time to visit Chad is during the dry months, spanning from October and November through to March. These months offer pleasant traveling conditions, as the rains—although they can rejuvenate the parched landscape—often disrupt the unpaved roadways, making navigation particularly difficult, especially when venturing north. While the rainy season affects the northern Sahel region, it typically lasts from June to September.
During autumn, temperatures begin to dip slightly compared to the scorching spring months, where temperatures often exceed a sweltering 40°C, creating an intense heat that can be challenging for travelers.
One highlight of the cultural calendar in Chad is the Gerewol Festival, which occurs in late September. This vibrant celebration, featuring music, dance, and traditional rituals, takes place close enough to the capital, N’Djamena, to avoid major transport issues. However, it’s important to note that the timing of this festival makes it difficult to combine with excursions to the desert since the area is still affected by lingering moisture from the rainy season.
Historical Information About Place
Zakouma National Park, established by the Chadian government in 1963, is the oldest national park in Chad. The wildlife within the park has faced significant threats from the ivory trade and poaching activities, particularly by members of the Janjaweed militia. In May 2007, militia forces attacked the park’s headquarters in an attempt to seize a stockpile of 1.5 tons of ivory that had been confiscated from poachers over the years, resulting in the tragic deaths of three rangers.
In recognition of the urgent need for wildlife conservation, the Chadian government began collaborating with African Parks in 2010 to enhance the management and protection of the park and its diverse fauna, with a particular focus on elephants. An integral part of the park’s anti-poaching strategy involves equipping approximately 60 rangers with GPS tracking devices and radios to improve communication, mobility, and overall safety. Additionally, measures have been implemented to enhance mobility through the utilization of horses and other vehicles. In 2011, the European Union committed €6.9 million to support the park’s protection efforts over a five-year period.
In 2012, the initiatives for elephant protection extended beyond the park’s boundaries, accompanied by the construction of an airstrip in Heban to facilitate the monitoring of migrating elephants. In August of that year, Heban rangers successfully dismantled a camp belonging to members of the Sudanese army following the killing of four elephants. Subsequently, poachers launched an attack on the Zakouma outpost in Heban, resulting in the fatalities of several guards. In response to this violence, additional bases were established, a second aircraft was acquired, and a rapid response team, designated the “Mambas” after the venomous snake, was formed to bolster security. Since 1998, a total of 23 guards have been killed while protecting Zakouma, with the losses including seven in 2007, four between 2008 and 2010, and six in 2012.
In February 2014, the citizens of Chad commemorated the fiftieth anniversary of Zakouma National Park. A ceremony was hosted to mark this significant milestone, attended by President Idriss Déby, during which a ceremonial destruction of ivory was conducted. This event involved the incineration of a ton of elephant tusks in an effort to dissuade poaching activities.
Peter Fearnhead, co-founder of African Parks, prefers to describe their conservation model as ‘professionalised’ rather than ‘militarised.’ However, the rangers patrolling Zakouma National Park can’t help but evoke a military presence. Armed with high-powered rifles and mounted on vehicles outfitted with heavy artillery, these rangers are well-prepared for the perilous challenges they face. The harsh reality of their environment was tragically underscored in 2012 when six rangers were killed by ivory poachers during their morning prayers. This horrifying incident spurred African Parks to establish the Mamba team, a heavily armed rapid response unit dedicated to combating poaching.
The adversaries they confront are formidable. Ivory isn’t just a sought-after material for art and traditional medicines in countries like China and Egypt; it also serves as a lethal form of currency, fueling terrorist organizations and militias. Poaching is merely the grim face of a vast illegal wildlife trade, exacerbated by weak governance and corruption. Many of the marauders that threaten Zakouma infiltrate from Sudan, a known sanctuary for such criminal elements.
Yet, amid this struggle, there’s a glimmer of hope. The remaining elephants in Zakouma, once skeptical of human presence, are now gradually reclaiming their domain. Unlike their counterparts elsewhere in West Africa, their population is on the rise, as many now choose to stay within the park even during the wet season, seeing it as a refuge from the threats lurking beyond.
Space For Wildlife And Travellers
One of the major criticisms aimed at African Parks is the strict enforcement of park boundaries, which, while crucial for keeping poachers at bay, has inadvertently made life harder for local communities. For many, gathering firewood and grazing their livestock in Zakouma has become increasingly challenging. The park also serves as a crucial transit area for thousands of nomadic people each year. Recognizing this, African Parks acknowledges the importance of finding a balance between safeguarding the region’s endangered wildlife and meeting the needs of its human inhabitants.
Despite these challenges, African Parks maintains that it is carving out a space where both people and wildlife can thrive together. The Greater Zakouma ecosystem stands as the largest employer in the region, fostering the growth of various enterprises, from honey harvesting to shea butter production. Moreover, the organization promotes low-impact, high-value tourism that is reinvested back into the local economy, benefiting all.
To enhance the safety of nearby villages, African Parks has equipped communities with radios, enabling them to quickly alert rangers about any poachers or threats in the vicinity. This initiative has not only boosted security but also fostered a sense of community resilience, as armed groups are known to target both wildlife and local villages.
Every profit generated from tourism is redirected to park management and community-driven programs, such as teacher training and better classroom supplies. The construction of Secko schools, designed for ease of access in remote areas, ensures that education reaches those who need it most. Chadian children are even invited to explore the wonders of the park, often experiencing the majesty of wildlife for the very first time.
At the heart of Zakouma National Park’s outreach efforts is a commitment to environmental education, which lays the groundwork for what it calls a ‘Conservation Constituency.’ By actively engaging local communities in conservation initiatives and enhancing their security through ranger presence, as well as providing financial opportunities through park employment and local supply chains, the park’s conservation goals become significantly more attainable. Together, people and wildlife can flourish in this remarkable ecosystem.
Great Guide Advice For Travel
Gazelles gracefully leap across the expansive plateaus, while rare and elusive crocodiles find warmth as they bask in the tranquil oases that punctuate the landscape. The Toubou people expertly guide their herds of camels to the shaded crevices of rocky outcrops, allowing the animals to hydrate in the cooler confines of their environment. Landlocked Chad, a vast and sparsely populated Sahelian nation, is characterized by its rugged terrains and diverse ecosystems. While much of the country is arid, it experiences a transformative rhythm throughout the year.
From July to October, the heavy monsoon rains flood the southern and eastern regions, prompting semi-nomadic communities to lead their livestock towards verdant grazing lands. This seasonal cycle also attracts predators within the renowned Zakouma National Park, where the dynamics of nature unfold in a dramatic narrative of survival. Traveling northwards, the lush savannah gradually transitions into the drier, mixed vegetation of the Sahel, which seamlessly gives way to the vast, arid expanses of the Sahara Desert.
Here, stunning limestone formations, shaped by relentless winds and shifting sands, rise sharply from the undulating dunes, while picturesque lakes glimmer in vibrant shades of blue and green, accompanied by stark white salt flats that create a striking contrast against the desert’s warm hues. The sheer scale of the landscape is overwhelming—there are no bustling cities, no honking vehicles, and no electricity to disrupt the serene solitude.
Amidst this backdrop, Chad is also home to over a million refugees fleeing conflict from neighboring nations, illustrating the deeper human struggles that play out within these breathtaking vistas. The border with Libya remains perilous due to landmines, a stark reminder of ongoing unrest. However, intrepid travelers who venture here often discover an extraordinary sense of peace and solitude in the untouched beauty of the land. Uncover the hidden essence of this remarkable country in our comprehensive Chad travel guide.
