Bardaï
The main town of the Tibesti, an oasis settlement in a canyon in the far north.
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Bardaï is the principal settlement of the Tibesti, built in a canyon in the far north where a wadi carries enough water below the surface to support date palms and gardens, and it is Toubou country. The town is the administrative centre for a region larger than many countries and holds a few thousand people. Rock art occurs in the wadis around it, and it is the base for anything attempted in the Tibesti.
What you actually see
- The canyon setting - the town built where the wadi supports palms and gardens.
- The date palms - the cultivation the sub-surface water allows.
- The Toubou country - the people whose region the Tibesti is.
- The rock art - engravings and paintings in the surrounding wadis.
When to go
November to February is the cool season. March to May is extremely hot. Reaching the Tibesti takes days from N'Djamena.
Honest expectations
The Tibesti is among the least accessible regions in Africa and permits are required and hard to obtain. Facilities are minimal. Everything must be arranged months in advance.
Nearby
Trou au Natron is south, and Zouar is southwest.
What to pack for Bardaï
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.