Chad
Dates:
1 - 8 October 2024
Duration:
8
days
Group:
12
ppl
Few Western travellers will ever get to experience the Gerewol festival – one of the most spectacular in Africa, yet one that has barely been changed over centuries. This week-long festival occurs when the semi-nomadic Wodaabe people travel across the Sahel on foot, camel or donkey, and come together to feast, dance, race and – ultimately – to find a lover or a partner. The classic image from the Gerewol festival is one of the young men with elaborately made-up faces, ‘displaying’ to young women in order to attract them. Not only does this Gerewol festival holiday allow you to experience these rituals, but having worked in this area for several years, we have built up plenty of local contacts and friends, meaning we are welcomed as guests and are able to camp beside them in this incredibly remote region. You’ll be immersed in life far from the mainstream, combined with centuries-old traditions and rituals; this is a highly unique opportunity to see the world from a completely different perspective and experience the deep traditions of Africa.
N’Djamena → Durbali → Gerewol festival → N’Djamena
Day 1: N’Djamena
Arrive in the capital of Chad today, and transfer to your hotel (Le Meridien Chari or similar). You can choose to stay here and rest up for the adventure ahead, or to head out and explore.
Day 2: Durbali
Drive across the Sahel to the Durbali region where the Gerewol festival is celebrated by the Wodaabe people. We’ll camp here overnight.
Day 3-7: Gerewol festival
We have five full days to experience the Gerewol festival – a celebration which has barely changed for centuries. The Wodaabe from across the Sahel region congregate in the area with their cattle for what could be described as a mass courtship ritual. Unusually, it is male beauty that is prized by the Wodaabe, and the young men wear traditional jewellery, feathers and make up before performing in front of the young women – a fascinating spectacle. There will be plenty of dancing and singing, and perhaps some camel racing, as well as plenty of time to meet local people and share stories with them about the culture and rituals. You can also head to one of the Sahel’s most important markets, in Durbali.
Day 8: N’Djamena
We return back to N’Djamena, where day use rooms are available to freshen up. After heading out to a restaurant for a final farewell dinner, transfer to the airport for your onward flight home.
Accommodation
1 night at the hotel (Le Meridien Chari or similar)
6 night at the camp
Meals
Day 2-7: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 8: Breakfast and Lunch
Guided tours
Five full days of Gerewol festival experience
Transport
Transfers as per itinerary
Support
24/7 phone/WhatsApp support line
English-speaking guide
ABTA and ATOL bonded
Not Included
International flights
Meals not mentioned
Optional tours and activities
Personal expenses
Watching camel racing, singing, dancing and male beauty contests
Camping in the Sahel
Meeting the Wodaabe tribespeople
Durbali market
Drive across the Sahel to the Durbali
Witnessing the Gerewol festival
Dragan Rakic
Australia
Great experience and organisation by the team at World of Discoveries - communication was great all the way through the trip
Diana Kammunkun
USA
Best Staff, Great Communication The communication and assistance from the Michael from the beginning, Alex during the pre-tour and post tour and Anna during the tour was better than exceptional; we were well taken care of. The staff truly cared about us having a memorable experience and their efforts greatly contributed to that happening. I’ll definitely be looking into their other tours.
Bruce McDougall
Australia
I recently toured Qatar during the World Cup with Varya and Mike’s team at World of Discoveries. The experience over three weeks was first class. Varya and her team nailed the detail for every aspect of the trip from planning and booking through to the actual travel, tours, sightseeing, transport, accommodation and ticketing to games. They were always accessible to deal with any issues that arose and went the extra mile to ensure the travelling group was happy, organised and safe. And they throw a mean party. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend World of Discoveries for trips of a lifetime.
John Campbell
Scotland
We booked a tour for Euro 2020, in July 2021, tickets, accommodation, Hermitage and Cathedrals tour, all A++++. Great service, super support, nothing too much trouble at all, used the agency twice now. Super happy.
Linh Taylor
Australia
We had such a wonderful time traveling with World of Discoveries. We were there for the World Cup in addition to touring. The company did an amazing job at communicating before, during and after. We felt very safe and taken care of our entire stay. We would highly recommend the company.
Sandy Zheng
Australia
Excellent service with friendly staff. Great organised and information detailed. We appreciate your service and help for this World Cup trip to Dubai and Qatar. We had a very awesome experience and a good time. We will continue to travel with you to the next World Cup. keep in touch. All the best to all of you.
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