Until 2010, few people had heard of Zakouma or even thought about wildlife in Chad. The government of Chad partnered with African Parks to rescue and revive one of Africa’s unknown but most impressive parks. Over the years I’ve been privileged to visit numerous times and find it difficult to express what a magic landscape this is.

Zakouma is flooded for much of the year and only in its dry season from January to April is it readily accessible. In this limited window, you can explore a diverse and spectacular park. It’s the gatherings and mass congregations of mammals and birds that stand out. Millions of quelea finches attracting so many birds of prey or the daily horde of turtle-doves which leave the dry woodlands and come to water stand out. The antelope herds on the floodplains are impressive. And as the park has been secured, the rebound in lion numbers is evident. Leopards are harder to find but present. The nesting colonies of Northern Carmine Bee-eaters are a spectacle on their own and there are the elephants and reintroduced Black Rhinos to track down as well. No day in Zakouma is quiet!

For the truly adventurous, a further excursion to Ennedi in the Sahara is a must. Ennedi is a treasure-trove of rock art, towering sandstone structures, nomadic people and desert wildlife that has to be seen to be believed. Few travellers venture this far!