[1] [2] [3] Zakouma is the nation's oldest national park, declared a national park in 1963 by presidential decree, giving it the highest form of protection available under the nation's laws. The latest estimates suggest a population of around 600 individuals reside in the park. A diverse range of bird species reside within the park, with a total of 388 recorded, including some 40 raptor species. Find high-quality stock photos that you won't find anywhere else. Characterised by perennial river systems, rich floodplains, and seasonal wildlife migrations, Zakouma National Park is a unique story of revival for central Africa. [10], Chadians celebrated the park's fiftieth anniversary in February 2014. African Parks manages all of these protected areas. Zakouma National Park is managed by African Parks in partnership with the Chadian Government. The Zakouma National Park is today one of the last examples of the Sudano-Sahelian ecosystem of all Africa. HOW TO GET THE MOST OUT OF AFRICA GEOGRAPHIC: We're the Africa Geographic editorial team a diverse set of writers, editors, designers and social media natives, all united by our passion for this addictive continent. Experts estimate that there are only around 2,300 of these giraffe left in Africa, and around 60% are found in Zakouma. - The black rhino has been. The coronavirus pandemic had sparked panic around the world and my flight out of the park was delayed by the dusty Harmattan winds from the Sahara, rendering visibility too poor to fly. For tourists, this means a safe visit to one of North Africas most precious ecosystems to revel in vast numbers of wildlife and spectacular scenery. Here, lions roam open plains in search of vast buffalo herds, and red-billed queleas flock in their thousands. Receiving the thumbs-up from his three passengers, Mr. Labuschagne, who was then manager of Zakouma National Park in Chad, steered the fixed-wing Cessna C180 toward a spot 12 miles south. Chad is the nearest country to Europe where all the Big Five can be seen Credit: getty T hose in the know mention Zakouma with reverence, hushed awe and longing. Jon. The Chadian government has been committed to protecting this natural heritage and invited African Parks to restore and manage the Greater Zakouma Ecosystem in 2010. Zakouma National Park is one of Africas brightest conservation success stories. There are approximately 130 lions in Zakouma though for some reason, their numbers have not increased despite rapid increases in numbers of their favorite prey. . Discounts at Africas best lodges and on our hand-made packages subscribers only, STORIES & DISCUSSIONS Chad - Discover Zakouma Tour - an 8 day Small Group Tour. Located in south eastern Chad, you'll find Zakouma National Park, a true wildlife treasure. Contact one of our Destination Specialists to start planning your journey to Chad. We need to find ways to increase and sustain support for conservation efforts in West and Central Africa, such as those undertaken by African Parks. The threatened species found at Zakouma are diverse, from the black-crowned crane to the African elephant. AboutPressCopyrightContact. Sign up to our newsletter to get all the latest news & info. After poaching and civil war ravaged the area's wildlife, the animal population has been steadily increasing. These habitats are vital for migrating birds, which use them as stopovers or breeding grounds. With law restored and security reclaimed, tourists have begun visiting Zakouma to witness its abundant wildlife. Area. [5], Zakouma National Park is part of the Sudano-Sahelian vegetation zone,[12] and has shrubland, high grasses, and Acacia forests. As the countrys oldest national park, Zakoumas fates and fortunes have been inextricably linked to human politics, bad neighbours and civil war. Zakouma National Park is a national park, which is considered to be one of the most important protected areas on the African continent, and it is located in the south of the Republic of Chad. When the park floods, much of the wildlife leaves the park and it is possible that the lions are persecuted by livestock owners during this time. Overview The park is largely flat riverine forest and grassland plains. A Tented Camp in Chad. The wetlands form part of the RAMSAR site Inundation Plains of Bahr Auok and Salamat, one of the largest RAMSAR sites in the world. [24] The Independent reported a similar figure for 2010, following a major decline from 4,000 elephants in 2006. Zakouma: nearly a conservation failure Founded in 1963, Zakouma is the oldest national park in Chad and covers over 3,000 square kilometres. Embark on 8 days to explore Zakouma National Park, the northernmost of the great African national parks. In keeping with what is rapidly becoming an African Parks tradition, they set about protecting the remaining wildlife and working closely with local communities (which has been fundamental to Zakoumas success) to the lay foundations for the parks long-term survival. Very difficult. It is the return of the parks elephants that is perhaps most symbolic of the rehabilitation of Zakouma. The area now holds 1,200 Kordofan giraffes, which is 60% of the worlds remaining population. [23][26][27] Seven elephants were reportedly killed in 2007, marking a decrease compared to previous years because of improved efforts to protect Zakouma and its wildlife. Away from the waters edge, the arrival of the northern carmine bee-eaters decorates the skies in pink as they search for appropriate nesting sites in the sandbanks. in . Chiara Fraticelli is leading the lion research for African Parks. [1][2][9] In 2016, The Independent said there were increases to the park's buffalo, giraffe, and lion populations in recent years. African Parks have been managing. ZAKOUMA NATIONAL PARK IS THE ONLY LOCATION IN WHICH THE RARE BLACK-BREASTED BARBET CAN BE VIEWED BY TOURISTS. official website. Zakouma National Park is one of Africas most striking conservation success stories. This ecosystem includes the Bahr-Salamat Faunal Reserve (13,000km2 130,000 hectares), which surrounds the park, as well as Siniaka-Minia Faunal Reserve (4,260km2 42,600 hectares) and a further 10,000km2 of adjoining wildlife corridors. Much of this has to do with two things: the EU funding 20 million to manage the park since 1989, and a joint decision by the EU and Chadian . Youll also find Defassa waterbuck, oribi, Bohor reedbuck, duiker, and warthog. 3 Wildlife spotting: excellent for elephant, lion and leopard viewing. Very easy. Driving from N'Djamena to Zakouma. This is due to the illegal poaching practices and the infamous massacre of these animals in 2006. The major threat came from heavily armed horsemen from Darfur in Sudan, the Janjaweed, who would sweep through the park and decimate wildlife. Visitors with a taste for adventure can rest assured that they are playing a role in protecting one of the continents most important ecosystems. The mandate agreement was signed in June 2010, and African Parks began managing the park and its periphery that October. [1][2][3] Zakouma is the nation's oldest national park, declared a national park in 1963 by presidential decree, giving it the highest form of protection available under the nation's laws. Site visits such as this are a key part of my role as Director of the LRF. The Lion Recovery Fund (LRF) has invested heavily in APs work in Chad, so I wanted to see that work myself to understand their local conservation issues and assess their needs going forward. These wetlands attract a large number of birds rendering this park . Yet, for some, the rustic accommodation, remote location and hot weather is exactly what make Zakouma sought-after a truly unique, off-the-beaten-track adventure where their visit directly contributes towards an ongoing conservation success story. There are currently limited accommodation options in Zakouma: a couple of basic campsites and Tinga Camp a basic and budget-friendly camp originally constructed in 1965. As one of three national parks in Chad, Zakouma forms an integral part of the conservation of flora and fauna in the region, as well as being the only game viewing destination offering guest accommodation in the country. Understand History [1] The Times reported the presence of thousands of buffalo, more than 130 lions, and an "unknown" number of leopards, as well as plans to reintroduce black rhinoceros. Zakouma National Park is a 1,158-square-mile (3,000km2) national park in southeastern Chad, straddling the border of Gura Region and Salamat Region. The drive from N'Djamena to the park is roughly 900 km (560 miles) and takes around 10 to 12 hours, in normal, dry conditions. Prior to that, poachers would attack when rangers were not able to reach remote parts of the park due to the impassable mud. Zakouma held a ceremony to commemorate the occasion, which was attended by President Idriss Dby and included a ceremonial destruction of ivory by burning a pyre with a ton elephant tusks to discourage poaching. Search from Zakouma National Park Photos stock photos, pictures and royalty-free images from iStock. [9][25] The park now has more than 500 elephants, as of February 2017,[6] possibly the largest single herd in Africa. Read more about Kordofan and Africas other giraffe species here. I was a little nervous heading out to Chad because, although only a few cases of coronavirus had been recorded in Africa at that time (and none in either my home country of Zimbabwe or Chad), the world was beginning to panic. - The black rhino has been. Created in 1963, this was Chad's first national park, and covers an area of almost 3,000 sq km. National parks, Nature reserves and Protected areas of Chad provides you with list of all the national parks and other protected areas of Chad. This is a remarkable achievement in a part of the continent where most elephant populations are either extinct or in terrifying freefall. Located in Zakouma National Park and offering an intimate and bespoke experience of one of the last Central African savannah ecosystems, Camp Nomade is a seasonal and first-class mobile camp. In 2010, the Chadian Government and European Union approached African Parks to assume management responsibility of the park with the aim of protecting the regions incredible biodiversity and to create a space place for people and wildlife. The non-profit conservation organisation took over management in 2010 (in partnership with the government). Choose your favorite zakouma national park designs and purchase them as wall art, home decor, phone cases, tote bags, and more! Share this. [6], The park's last black rhinoceros were seen in 1972. Zakouma is Chad's oldest national park,[4] established by the nation's government in 1963. The protective measures put in place since 1989 and the good maintenance of the local ecosystems have allowed a spectacular reconstitution of the local fauna: elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, big cats today abound in the plains of Zakouma. The wetland areas attract enormous flocks of pelicans, storks, geese and black-crowned cranes, especially as the water starts to recede during the dry season and life concentrates around the remaining pools. Across this area, one can reasonably expect lion numbers to eventually number several hundred. [6] The park's anti-poaching strategy includes equipping approximately 60 rangers with GPS tracking units and radios to improve communications, mobility, and safety, as well as improving mobility through the use of horses and other vehicles. Every dollar raised is directly deployed to projects that recover lions, with zero administrative fees or overhead. The turnoff to the entrance is 12km before the town of Am Timan. Zakouma National Park. Several theories exist as to why this may be. [14] It's estimated that 60% of 2,000 Kordofan giraffe remaining on earth are live in Zakouma National Park. It is located in one of the park's best game-viewing areas. Zakouma aerial thanks to Jean Labuschagne, APN. 2 Unique for: home to 50 percent of Africa's Kordofan giraffe population. Once whittled down by ivory poaching to fewer than 460 individuals, the elephant population has increased slowly but steadily over the last decade. This national park is a major Chadian success story. Tourism remains a vital part of African Parks strategy for Zakoumas future. Location Overview Zakouma National ParkZakouma National Park is a very substantial and important conservation area, remotely located in the southeast of C. Its habitat is varied and in parts reminiscent of Kafue and Luangwa in Zambia and also Mana Pools in Zimbabwe. VISITING ZAKOUMA NATIONAL PARK IS ADVISED DURING THE DRY SEASON, BETWEEN FEBRUARY AND APRIL, DUE TO THE WILDLIFE CONGREGATING IN THE EASTERN HALF OF THE PARK WHERE THE PANS AND FLOODPLAINS PROVIDE WATER AND GRAZING. 4 Conservation: Zakouma National Park is one of the most heavily protected areas in Africa. [5][6] Its wildlife have been threatened by the ivory trade and poaching, including by Janjaweed members. Moderate. AppNewsletterTravel with usGeneral enquiriesEditorsCEO, Travel & conservation company, since 1991, Human-wildlife conflict: long-term trends in Namibia, Your guide to a Botswana safari SADC edition, *Call costs: Local rates apply from South Africa, UK and US otherwise international rates apply. Cre en 1963, le Parc national de Zakouma est aujourd'hui l'un des . The 2006 Zakouma elephant slaughter refers to a series of poaching massacres of African elephants in the vicinity of Zakouma National Park in southeastern Chad. Uncover 350 000 hectares of raw, wild Africa. Zakouma National Park, located in the south of Chad, is one of the most heavily protected areas in Africa and spans over 3000km2of parkland. The wetlands form part of the RAMSAR site Inundation Plains of Bahr Auok and Salamat, which is one of the largest in the world, and acts as a breeding area for the birds. [9] African Parks took over management of ecologically valuable lands surrounding Zakouma, including the Siniaka-Minia Faunal Reserve and Bahr Salamat Faunal Reserve, in 2017. Goz Djrat, located in the north-east, is the primary gate. Once a stronghold for well over 4,000 elephants, by 2010 the park had lost 90% of its elephants to ivory poachers, while further havoc was wreaked on the park and local communities by poachers on horseback. I worried that I might get stuck somewhere on my journey home. Spotted hyenas are present in small numbers, their whoops and cackles a warning to their rare and silent striped hyena cousins also found in Zakouma. In 2010, the Chadian Government and European Union approached African Parks to assume management responsibility of the park with the aim of protecting the regions incredible biodiversity and to create a space place for people and wildlife. A Zakouma safari is not necessarily the best option for first-time safari-goers or families with young children. While wildlife in many parts of Central Africa is in terminal decline, Zakouma is a beacon of hope. Today, Zakouma is successfully protecting a variety of species including, elephant, giraffe, roan antelope and Lelwels hartebeest and has witnessed an increase in buffalo numbers from just 220 animals in 1986 to over 10,000 today. This location appears to be especially popular on the channel 'The Greanville Post' where it has less than a dozen mentions. Tourism has continued bringing much-needed revenue to the park and local people; and the GZE has remained the largest employer in the region, while creating a myriad of enterprise opportunities. [4], African Parks and the Labuschagnes, who served as the park's managers from 20112017, have been credited with reducing poaching and increasing Zakouma's elephant population. It is one of the last strongholds for Central African wildlife and a place of surprising beauty; a vast, flat plain crisscrossed by meandering seasonal watercourses and interspersed with rocky hills. Zakouma has 373 recorded species. Difficult. With your help, we can recover lions and restore their irreplaceable landscapes across Africa. [2] Following the nonprofit conservation organization African Parks' assumption of management in 2010, and its extensive law enforcement and community engagement efforts, poaching dramatically declined and the herd has since stabilized, and has started to breed again. Since 2010 the park has been managed by African Parks in agreement with the government of Chad, but in the years prior to AP's intervention, the park was at the mercy of violent groups, with an estimated 95% of the elephant population slaughtered. Rangers at Zakouma National Park stand bemused at the black rhino that arrived at Zakouma National Park on May 4, 2018. The reserves act as vital buffer zones while adding to the space available to burgeoning numbers of wildlife. Vast herds of ungulates can be found in Zakouma. As one of three national parks in Chad, Zakouma forms an integral part of the conservation of flora and fauna in the region, as well as being the only game viewing destination offering guest accommodation in the country. It is situated in the southern part of Chad. [5][31], In 2016, more than 5,000 locals stayed at the park's camps. Roan , tiang , amazing birding, local villages and cultures complete this very special picture. This region is probably the last stronghold for wildlife in the western and Central African region. These wetlands attract a large number of birds rendering this park a paradise for observation. A National Park still suitable for visitors, you can enjoy almost exclusive visits thanks to the limited number of travelers who can visit. Zakouma National Park Zakouma National Park Quick Facts 1 Size: the park spans over 3,000km 2. The black-crowned crane population is also rich within Zakouma National Park as their habitat outside of the parklands has been destroyed in many areas. -20.029858. Rangers from Zakouma National Park sit on the back of a vehicle as they transport the black rhino to their holding pens on May 4, 2018. [1] Similarly, CNN reported in April 2015 that more than 40 calves were born since late 2013. There are around 66 mammal species in the park, including 50 percent of the world's population of Kordofan giraffe and the Central African Savannah buffalo. [21], The park's elephant population experienced significant declines during the 2000s,[5][22] though reported size estimates have varied. This kind of instability emphasizes the complexity of conservation efforts in the Sahel and shows that we cannot take the successes in Chad for granted. As many as 4,000 elephants were killed between 2002 and 2010, but since African Parks assumed management of Zakouma in 2010 poaching has been practically eliminated. The lion population has yet to increase in Zakouma, but there is much potential for it. Recent research by the Giraffe Conservation Foundation suggests that there may be five different species of giraffe, of which the Northern giraffe (which includes the Kordofan sub-species) is the second rarest, with just 5,600 individuals remaining. See how to DOWNLOAD OUR APP below. Our next steps are focused on implementing the management of the Greater Zakouma Ecosystem which includes the completion of infrastructure and training of rangers as well as socio-economic studies and mapping of the area. The Lion Recovery Fund maintains a 100% donation model. Another key factor has been APs success at developing strong relations with local communities. Covering more than 3000 km 2 of land in southern Chad's southern Sudano-Sahelian vegetation zone, and part of the Greater Zakouma Ecosystem, Zakouma National Park was given its protected status in 1963 and is the country's oldest protected park. The park's rebirth is the . In addition to the growing number of pachyderms, Zakouma is also a population stronghold of the Kordofan giraffe, a critically endangered subspecies of the northern giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis). In some instances in Zakouma, baboons have been observed killing lion cubs left stashed in hiding places by their mothers. Zakouma is the largest employer in the region and provides additional opportunities for local income generation by facilitating the local procurement of park and tourism camp supplies and developing commercial community projects, such as honey harvesting and shea butter production. Description. To build on this success, African Parks was invited in 2017 by the government to manage the Siniaka-Minia Wildlife Reserve (SMWR) and Bahr Salamat Faunal Reserve, including adjoining wildlife corridors, giving African Parks the mandate to manage the entire Greater Zakouma Ecosystem (GZE) of 28,162 km2 and have an even greater impact for wildlife and local communities. If Zakouma continues its upward trajectory, both white and black rhinos could once again move through its savanna habitats. Advertising: Tai National Park, Cote D'Ivoire, March 2023 29th October 2022; New Trip Report: Great Squirrel Safari, USA, . Situated in the mid-zone between the Sahara and Africa's sub-tropical rainforests, its fertile floodplains and year-round water quickly turned the park into a magnet for Central and West African biodiversity. 7 May 1963. For around half of the year the Park is dry and hot, hence wildlife crowds around swiftly disappearing water sources. The only exceptions are the granite inselbergs located in the southwestern section of the park. Zakouma National Park, along with the Greater Zakouma Ecosystem, is a seasonal marshland which constitutes one of the last refuges for wildlife in Central Africa. Zakouma National Park is located in the Salamat Region of south-eastern Chad. The greater Zakouma landscape includes the national park and extends over an enormous 30,693km2 (over 3 million hectares) of Sudano-Sahelian vegetation (characterized by shrubland, tall grasses, and Acacia now Vachellia woodlands). Rangers at Zakouma National Park stand bemused at the black rhino that arrived at Zakouma National Park on May 4, 2018. The major threat came . They are often described as fragile a label undoubtedly apt but overly simple. Zakoumas elephant population is recovering after decades of decline at the hands of poachers. [9][6][11] According to The Independent, there were 23 calves born in 2013, plus another 20 in 2015. Our expedition time in February is during the late dry season, that sees the waters deposited during the preceding wet season, begin to dry out. During the wet season from June to October, the park receives an average of 850mm of rain which inundates much of the park and floods the roads. Sign up to be the first to hear #GoodNews happening around African Parks. Zakoumas Lazarus-like recovery is nothing short of remarkable and has set it on the firm path to becoming one of the continents top (and most unusual) safari destinations. [1][9][6] The European Union pledged 6.9m in 2011 to help protect the park for five years. To comment on this story: To protect you against trolls & misinformation, we only permit comments in our app. 3,000 km. It doesnt offer the most conventional safari experience, but for seasoned travellers looking for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure off the beaten track, Zakouma is perfect. Poaching was rapidly brought under control and since then, an average of just two elephants per year have been poached, with none at all killed in the last 18 months. Take your first steps in planning your ultimate safari. 32.968684. The parks buffalo population was reduced to about 220 animals in 1986 but now numbers over 15,000. This area includes a matrix of different protected and unprotected lands. Garamba National Park, DRC . [15] A pack of nine African wild dogs were photographed in the southwest portion of this Zakouma National Park in November 2015. Since African Parks' involvement in Zakouma National Park in 2010, this now serves as one of their greatest success stories. Networking & debating APP subscribers only, TRUSTED CONSERVATION PROJECTS [3] There were reportedly no elephant poaching incidents between 2016 and February 2017. Share. Rodents included the African grass rat, Congo gerbil, Guinea multimammate mouse, Heuglin's striped grass mouse, Johan's spiny mouse, Kemp's gerbil, Matthey's mouse, striped ground squirrel (Xerus erythropus), and Verheyen's multimammate mouse. Zakouma National Park is a 3,000-km protected area in the south of Chad. The Chadian government has been committed to protecting this natural heritage even through many years of conflict. On a continent plagued by rampant poaching, Zakouma National Park in Chad serves as a beacon of conservation hope. Though the elephants are a highlight for most visitors, equally entrancing are the enormous herds of antelope and Central African savanna buffalo that roam the parks plains. Zakouma is also home to what experts believe is the largest number of North African ostriches a subspecies that is all but extinct in most of its historic range. Zakouma National Park is in the Salamat area of south eastern Chad, between Am Timan and Sarh. What followed was one of the most inspiring conservation experiences I have ever had. According to National Geographic and Tech Times, Zakouma had more than 4,000 elephants in 2002, but fewer than 900 in 2005, and approximately 400450 by 2010. We will keep you posted with essential news of the best conservation efforts working to bring lions back from the brink. Zakouma is home to 50% of the global kordofan giraffe population and numbers are on the rise. [12], Birds include ostriches,[2] cranes, eagles, egrets, herons, ibis, pelicans, and storks. [9] Tinga Lodge, constructed by the government, opened in 1968 and houses up to 48 people. [9][18] Specific species include Abyssinian ground hornbills,[19] black-breasted barbets,[20] northern carmine bee-eaters, and red-billed queleas. This was Chad's first national park, it covers an area of 3,000 km Unlikely to fill mainstream bucket lists, Zakouma is right if you like things hot, untamed and untouched! The park had a healthy population of about 300,000 African elephants in 1970, but the number has sharply reduced to just over 10,000 as of 2006. [7][8] The government of Chad began working with African Parks in 2010 to help manage and protect the park and its wildlife,[1][3][9] especially elephants. Roan , tiang , amazing birding, local villages and cultures complete this very special picture. In 2002, there were over 4,350 elephants in Zakouma, but this plummeted to just 545 by 2011. Rangers from Zakouma National Park sit on the back of a vehicle as they transport the black rhino to their holding pens on May 4, 2018. These killings were documented in aerial surveys conducted from May through August 2006 and total at least 100 animals. Zakouma National Park. Of course, this profusion of prey (and any number of suitable hiding places) makes Zakouma a predator haven. Traveling with a colleague from AP, we rushed through the immigration and customs formalities and caught a small plane out to the bush. The Chadian government has been committed to protecting this natural heritage even through many years of conflict. Zakouma became known as a place of safety, a source of employment, and a service provider to communities previously desperately in need. The trip will include one night in Chad's fascinating capital city of N'Djamena, and 7 nights in the Zakouma National Park at both Camp Nomade and at a fantastically well-appointed fly camp. The website www.naturalworldsafaris.com is owned and operated by Natural World Safaris Ltd, 130A Western Road, Brighton, BN1 2LA. Search from Zakouma National Park stock photos, pictures and royalty-free images from iStock. To visit Zakouma National Park, you need to reserve one of a few accommodation options, for which safaris are included. With each passing year wildlife numbers began to increase and by 2016 poaching was virtually eliminated, as security efforts took hold of the area. That year, African Parks and the Chadian Government established a management partnership for the park. Find high-quality stock photos that you won't find anywhere else. National Park. This vast ecosystem is primarily flat, with perennial river systems and marshy floodplains lined by patches of verdant gallery forest, woodlands, and savanna grasslands. A routine aerial surveillance flight over the western part of Chad's Zakouma National Park has uncovered the deaths of two female elephants and their calves in what officials say is the first . In October 2017, we doubled our footprint around Zakouma by signing an MoU with the Government to manage the Greater Zakouma Ecosystem, which includes the Siniaka Minia Faunal Reserve and other critical wildlife corridors.