Faya-Largeau

Faya-Largeau is the largest settlement in northern Chad, an oasis in the Borkou where a shallow water table supports a very large palm grove, hundreds of thousands of date palms in a belt several kilometres long with gardens under them, surrounded on all sides by sand and gravel. It is the supply point for the whole north and the place expeditions to the Tibetsi and the Ennedi restock.

What you actually see

• The palm belt - hundreds of thousands of date palms in a strip several kilometres long.
• The gardens - the cultivation worked under the palms.
• The desert surroundings - sand and gravel closing in on every side.
• The supply role - the restocking point for expeditions to the northern massifs.

When to go

November to February is the cool season. March to May is extremely hot. Overland journeys from N'Djamena take several days.

Honest expectations

Facilities are minimal and there is nothing set up for visitors. Permits are required for onward travel north. Reaching Faya at all is a serious undertaking.

Nearby

Zouar is northwest, and the Mourdi Depression is northeast.