Lake Fitri

Lake Fitri lies in central Chad, a shallow endorheic lake fed by the Batha river that expands after the rains and contracts through the dry season, and it is a biosphere reserve and Ramsar site holding waterbirds in very large numbers on migration and through the northern winter. Fishing communities work the water and herders bring cattle to the receding margins, so the shore is busy as the season advances.

What you actually see

• The waterbirds - very large concentrations on migration and through the winter.
• The seasonal expansion - a lake whose extent changes enormously through the year.
• The fishing communities - the people working the water from the shore.
• The herds - cattle brought to the receding margins as the dry season advances.

When to go

November to February is the cool season and the peak for birds. Water falls sharply from March. The rains from July refill the lake.

Honest expectations

There is no visitor infrastructure of any kind. Access requires four-wheel drive and local guides. Water levels vary enormously and in dry years the lake shrinks drastically.

Nearby

Mongo is southeast, and N'Djamena is southwest.