Ounianga Lakes in Sahara desert - Amazing Chad
After 8 days travelling overland in Chad, with great expectation we arrived at the Lakes of Ounianga, veritable seas of salty water and others of fresh water in the heart of the Sahara. In front of us we were shown a paradise drawn in the middle of the desert.
Like a big secret, Chad keeps jealously one of the most beautiful deserts on the planet with awesome places lake Ounianga lakes, Ennedi massif or Tibesti region.
A part of the Sahara Desert that has remained enigmatic and unknown until today because of decades of conflict.
Chad is now emerging as an oasis of security in the midst of a region marked with instability. Never before has there been a better time to explore this country in peace and quiet.
CHAD HELICOPTER EXPEDITION | ENNEDI + TIBESTI REGIONS
Explore the vast landscapes of Tchad. Main highlights include Ennedi, Tibesti and Lake Regions.
Best tourist attractions in Chad | Travel Video | SKY Travel
Best tourist attractions in Chad | Travel Video | SKY Travel
#travelvideo #travel #skytravel @solotravel
01.Zakouma National Park
02.Chad National Museum
03.Lake Chad
04.Ennedi Region
05.Guelta d’Archei
06.N’Djamena
07.Lakes of Ounianga
08.Tibesti Mountains
09.Abeche
10.Douguia’s Chari River
Chad
Country in Central Africa
Chad, officially known as the Republic of Chad, is a landlocked country in north-central Africa. It is bordered by Libya to the north, Sudan to the east, the Central African Republic to the south, Cameroon to the south-west, Nigeria to the southwest, and Niger to the west. Wikipedia
N'Djamena
Capital of Chad
N'Djamena is the capital and largest city of Chad. A port on the Chari River, near the confluence with the Logone River, it directly faces the Cameroonian town of Kousséri, to which the city is connected by a bridge. It is also a special statute region, divided into 10 districts or arrondissements. Wikipedia
Tschad - Chad - Ciad - Ennedi yoyage
Slideshow of my voyage through an unknown country
Expedición macizo de Tibesti y lagos de Ounianga 2022 - Norte de Chad, el Sáhara más salvaje
Video que resume la expedición realizada en marzo de 2022 al macizo volcánico de Tibesti, en el extremo norte de Chad. Un viaje a la más remota e inaccesible parte del Sahara en donde la ruta inicialmente planeada se convirtió a mitad de camino en papel mojado.
Tibesti, el techo del Sáhara, un cataclismo volcánico, compuesto de montañas de roca desnuda, formaciones rocosas inverosímiles, arenales, frondosos oasis convertidos en auténticos milagros de la naturaleza y caminos tortuosos que impiden avanzar a más de 5 kilómetros por hora. Todo ello salpicado de los más impactantes y desoladores paisajes lunares en los que habitan los temido Teda, rudos entre los rudos.
Todo ello acompañado de un ambiente de auténtica fiebre del oro que hace de esta región, una verdadera última frontera.
Chad by drone. Ennedi and Zakouma scenes
In February 2020 we did an expedition to Chad, Cameroon and the Central African Republic. An impressive overland trip to Central Africa that took us to Ennedi, Zakouma National Park and Dzanga Sangha Reserve.
From the Sahara desert to the Central African jungles.
Thanks to:
Isaac Martin (
Chema Morandeira
Daniel Cabanas (
The Lakes of Ounianga in the Sahara Desert, Chad
The Lakes of Ounianga in the Sahara Desert, Chad
Lakes of Ounianga are a series of 18 lakes in the Sahara Desert, in North-Eastern Chad, occupying a basin in the mountains of West Tibesti and Ennedi East. The names of the lake groups are derived from the name of a village nearby. It was added as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2012, the lakes are in a hot and hyper-arid desert that features a rainfall of less than 2 millimeters a year. The lakes are situated in a shallow basin below sandstone cliffs and hills, from where the ancient water flows. Remarkably, this unique hydro-logical system is able to sustain the largest permanent freshwater lakes to be found in such an arid desert environment anywhere in the world. The lakes are remnants of a single large lake, probably tens of kilometers long, that once occupied this remote area approximately 14,800 to 5,500 years ago. As the climate dried out during the subsequent millennia, the lake shrank, and large, wind-driven sand dunes invaded the original depression, dividing it into several smaller basins.
The 18 lakes altogether, in two groups about 40 km apart. They vary greatly in chemical composition, some being so salty that they can only support the most basic forms of life, while others are fresh enough to provide habitat for aquatic plants, fish and a diversity of other species. The largest and most biologically important lake is Lake Teli and it has a surface area of 4.4km2 and a maximum depth of 10 meters. Its water is fresh, and supports an abundance of life. The sandy substrate is highly porous, so water flows freely underground between Lake Teli and 13 other smaller lakes in the eastern group. Further west, across the dunes and sandstone ridges that characterise this part of the Sahara, the second group of four lakes (known as Ounianga Kebir) is found, dominated by Lake Yoan (3.6 km2 and 27 m deep). This is a hyper saline lake which supports only algae and a few other micro-organisms. Rocks around its shores are encrusted in white salt deposits, and a sprawling village of some 9,000 people is spread amongst the nearby hills and dunes. There is a customs post, as this is the last habitable place on the main trans-Sahara truck route through to Libya.
The lakes’ dark surfaces are almost completely segregated by linear, orange sand dunes that stream into the depression from the northeast. The almost-year-round northeast winds and cloudless skies make for very high evaporation rates; an evaporation rate of more than 6 meters per year has been measured in one of the nearby lakes. Despite this, only one of the ten lakes is saline.
The reason for the apparent paradox—fresh water lakes in the heart of the desert—is that fresh water from a very large aquifer reaches the surface in the Ounianga Depression. The aquifer is large enough to keep supplying the small lakes with water despite the high evaporation rate. Mats of floating reeds also reduce the evaporation in places. The lakes form a hydrological system that is unique in the Sahara Desert.
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OUNIANGA LAKES
Ounianga Lakes: A Hidden Gem of the Sahara
Located in the heart of the Sahara desert, the Ounianga Lakes are a stunning natural wonder that few have had the opportunity to witness. Situated in the far northeast corner of Chad, these lakes are a true oasis in the middle of the desert.
The Ounianga Lakes are a series of 18 interconnected lakes that are fed by underground rivers and aquifers. These lakes are unique in that they are saline, or saltwater, lakes, which is unusual for lakes in the middle of the desert. The salt content of the lakes is so high that they can support very little life, but the surrounding areas are teeming with plants and animals that rely on the lakes for their water source.
The lakes were formed over 5,000 years ago during a wetter period in the Sahara's history. As the climate dried out, the lakes slowly evaporated, leaving behind a landscape of salt flats and sand dunes. Today, the lakes are a reminder of the region's ancient past and an important resource for the people and wildlife that call the Sahara home.
In 2012, the Ounianga Lakes were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in recognition of their unique geological and ecological value. The lakes are also an important site for scientific research, as they provide a rare opportunity to study the effects of climate change on a fragile ecosystem.
Despite their beauty and importance, the Ounianga Lakes remain relatively unknown to most of the world. Access to the lakes is difficult, as they are located in a remote part of Chad that is not well-served by infrastructure. However, for those who are willing to make the journey, the lakes are a breathtaking sight that will stay with them forever.
If you are an intrepid traveler looking for a unique and unforgettable experience, consider visiting the Ounianga Lakes. You will be rewarded with a glimpse of one of the world's most incredible natural wonders, and an opportunity to witness the power and beauty of the Sahara desert.
Lagos de Ounianga, maravillas naturales del Sáhara chadiano
Auténticas maravillas de la naturaleza, los lagos de Ounianga se encuentran situados en medio de un desierto árido y extremo, y desde 2012 forman parte del Patrimonio Mundial de la UNESCO
Ounianga Kebir y Ounianga Serir, Patrimonio Mundial de la UNESCO
Los lagos de Ounianga se dividen en dos:
Situado al oeste se encuentra Ounianga Kebir (Ounianga grande), formado por 4 lagos, de los cuales el Lago Yoan es el más profundo del Sahara con 27 metros y el que mayor volumen de agua tiene. Sus aguas son extremadamente saladas, seis veces más que la de los océanos y contienen solamente algas y algunos microorganismos.
En el este se encuentra Ounianga Serir (Ounianga pequeño), formado por 16 lagos separados por dunas de arena. Cañas flotantes que cubren casi la mitad de estos lagos mitigan la evaporación. El lago Teli es el más grande de este grupo con una superficie equivalente a 600 campos de futbol, pero su profundidad no supera los 10 metros. Gracias a la buena calidad de su agua dulce, algunos de estos lagos albergan una fauna acuática, que incluye peces.
Hace miles de años, entre 5.000 y 10.000 durante el periodo húmedo, en el Sáhara abundaban los ríos y los lagos, y el color predominante era el verde. Con el tiempo el clima cambió, volviéndose cada vez más seco. Los lagos fueron menguando y finalmente desaparecieron, excepto algunos. De estos lagos supervivientes, los principales que quedan son los lagos de Ounianga
Chad - Lakes Ounianga
Chad - Lakes Ounianga
Tour organisé par / journey organised by Torre.pl
0:32 18°51'40N 21°23'08E;
2:02 18°53'57N 20°54'35E;
3:00 18°54'52N 20°54'37E;
5:15 19°02'58N 20°29'32E;
6:02 19°03'13N 20°30'48E;
1:56 photo Dominik Kruk; 3:30 photo Stanisława Waszkiewicz
10 Must-See Destinations In Chad | Wanderlust Ventures
Blog Link:
Embark on an extraordinary expedition with Wanderlust Ventures as we unveil the top 10 must-see destinations in the diverse and enchanting land of Chad. Our journey begins in the wildlife haven of Zakouma National Park, where expansive landscapes host a thriving ecosystem of elephants, giraffes, and elusive big cats.
Venturing into the ancient Ennedi Plateau, we discover the surreal Guelta d'Archei, a natural rock formation cradling an oasis of life. Moving to the rooftop of Chad, the Tibesti Mountains, hikers and adventurers are treated to rugged peaks, vast plateaus, and ancient lava flows.
The historic city of Abéché claims its spot on our list, offering a glimpse into Chad's rich heritage through vibrant markets and historic landmarks. Fada Oasis, nestled in the heart of the Sahara, provides a lush retreat amidst the arid landscape, showcasing the delicate balance between desert and oasis.
Lake Chad takes us on a boat journey across tranquil waters, where migratory birds fill the skies, and the shores reveal a tapestry of life. The bustling capital, N'Djamena, presents a dynamic fusion of modernity and tradition, with lively markets, historic landmarks, and the flowing Chari River.
Number 3 brings us to the awe-inspiring Ennedi Massif, a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring towering cliffs, ancient cave paintings, and hidden canyons. Ouadi Qadisha, our penultimate destination, showcases a breathtaking canyon adorned with ancient monasteries, a unique fusion of nature and spirituality.
Culminating our journey is the surreal Ounianga Lakes, nestled in the Sahara Desert. Shimmering like jewels, these interconnected lakes tell stories of survival and adaptation, providing a fitting finale to our exploration of Chad's untold wonders.
Join us on this visual odyssey through diverse landscapes and cultural treasures, as Wanderlust Ventures unveils the hidden gems of Chad – a land of captivating beauty and rich heritage.
00:00 Chad
01:10 Zakouma National Park
02:15 Guelta d'Archei
02:59 Tibesti Mountains
03:45 Abéché
04:38 Fada Oasis
05:20 Lake Chad
06:03 Sahara Desert
07:00 Ennedi Massif
07:47 Ouadi Qadisha
08:29 Ounianga Lakes
09:14 Outro
CHAD - TCHAD - an amazing desert expedition in the Sahara
Some footage of our recent trip to Chad - we had a drone (DJI) with us as well and were just mesmerized by Chad´s sceneries and desert landscapes. We did an offroad expedition and just loved it!
Chad or TCHAD is a landlocked country in the northern part of Africa, it actually has 3 vegetation zones, the desert, the Sahel and the savannas...guess we will be back to explore this country a little more!
#chad #photography #dji #djimavic #videography #travel #travelling #travelphotography #travelgram #africa #africanmovies #desertsafari #sahara #offroad #offroading #adventure #reisen #reise #cestovani #cestopis
Sahara
Sahara: Algeria, Chad, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia.
Sahara by night:
Pictures taken in Algeria (Tadrart, Erg Admer, Tilalilen, Wadi Essendilene),
Chad (Ennedi, Lakes Ounianga, Bembeche)
Egypt (White & Black Desert, Gilf Kebir, Great Sand Sea),
Tunisia (Chott El Jerid, Gorge Mides), Morocco (Erg Chebbi).
0:07 Gilf Kebir (2x); 0:17 Great Sea Sand (3x); 0:52 Wadi Sura;
0:57 White Desert (9x); 1:42 Black Desert (3x);
1:57 Ennedi (22x); 2:02 Aloba Arc (120m high); 2:16 Bashikele Arc; 2:27 Ennedi, labirynth Oyo (2x);
3:47 Mourdi Depression (10x); 4:42 Dunes Bembeche (5x);
5:12 Tadrart (29x); 5:48 Diamond Arc; 6:12 Arc Tamezguida; 7:07 In-Tehaq Arc;
7:32 Dunes Adilati; 7:37 Tikoubene; 7:42 Timghas (2x); 7:52 Erg Admer (2x);
8:57 Great Sea Sand (2x); 9:47 Salt Lakes Ounianga (11x);
10:02 Lake Tegeduei 3x); 10:17 Lake Yoa (5x);
10:42 Salt Pan Chott El Jerid (2x); 11:52 & 13:07 Guelta Archei;
13:37 Bird Desert Wheatear; 13:42 Rüppell's fox; 14:52 Silica glass; 15:12 Fulgurite;
15:17 Ammonite; 15:27 Desert Rose; 16:57 Calotropis;
17:08 Gilf Kebir - Wadi Hamra (2x); 17:40 Citrullus colocynthis;
17:50 Trail of Pharaos; 18:04 Cave of Swimmers;
18:40 Tigharghart - Crying Cow; 18:45 Fossil; 18:50 Foggini Cave;
Guelta d'Archei Amazing lake in Sahara Desert
Guelta d'Archei | Amazing lake in Sahara Desert
Guelta d'Archei amazing place in the heart of the Sahara Desert, It is located in the Ennedi Plateau, It is located in the Ennedi Plateau, in north-eastern Chad, south-east of the town of Fada. The Guelta d'Archei is inhabited by several kinds of animals, most notably the Nile crocodile, one of the last palace where Nile crocodiles are found in Sahara. The Middle Holocene remains, as well as rock paintings, indicate that this species once thrived across most of today's Sahara Desert and in swamps and rivers along South Mediterranean shores. The small group of surviving crocodiles in the Guelta d'Archei represent one of the last colonies know in the Sahara today; the Tagant Plateau colony in Mauritania has likely been extinct since 1996. The word Guelta means wetland, The reservoirs of this wetland is supported by groundwater. Guelta d'Arshey is surrounded by extensive desert areas, which make access to this awesome place.
Guelta Archei is a watering place for camels located in the Ennedi plateau. The guelta is also inhabited by a very small number ( between 1 and 7 there are only estimations) of the Nile crocodile. This is one of the last colonies of crocodiles in the Sahara. There is another colony in Mauritania. You can see the crocodile on the right edge
The Guelta d'Archei is the most famous permanent water source in the Ennedi region of Chad. Everyday, hundreds of camels are herded into the guelta in order to drink. That particular morning, one of the herdsmen was claiming that 850 of them were at once in the guelta. The value of a camel ranges between 250 EUR up to 800 EUR (and more). They are mainly raised for the milk they produce and as transport animals (not for the meat).
Чад. Озера Унианга. Chad. Lakes of Ounianga.
Tchad : lac d'Ounianga
19 janvier 2008
Rushes du film « Home » :Survol de la région des lacs d'Ounianga situés en plein désert du Sahara, dans la région du Tibesti au Nord du Tchad. Des villages sont implantés sur les berges des lacs, protégés par des installations pour lutter contre l'avancée du désert.Le paysage forme une alternance de textures et de couleurs : des roches claires émergent de zones sableuses ocres et une végétation très dispersée borde les lacs à l'eau obscure.La vitesse d'évaporation des lacs est l'une des plus élevées du monde et la région ne connaît quasiment aucune précipitation. Les lacs sont essentiellement alimentés par la nappe phréatique fossile. Images d'archive INA
Institut National de l'Audiovisuel
Abonnez-vous
#INA #Voyage
Tchad : région du Tibesti et lacs d'Ounianga
19 janvier 2008
Rushes du film « Home » :Survol des lacs d'Ounianga et de la région du Tibesti située dans le Sahara, au nord du Tchad. Le paysage aride est composé de zones tantôt sableuses tantôt rocailleuses, de cratères et de lacs qui s'assèchent.La vitesse d'évaporation des lacs est l'une des plus élevées du monde et la région ne connaît quasiment aucune précipitation. Les lacs sont essentiellement alimentés par la nappe phréatique fossile. Images d'archive INA
Institut National de l'Audiovisuel
Abonnez-vous
#INA #Voyage
Macizo del Ennedi a vista de dron, Reserva Natural y Cultural, UNESCO - Chad
El macizo de Ennedi, inscrito en la UNESCO en 2016, se encuentra en el Sahara oriental, al noreste de Chad y es una de las seis cadenas montañosas del Sahara
Uno de los principales objetivos de viajar a Chad es la visita del macizo de Ennedi, uno de los rincones más sublimes del continente africano.
Durante millones de años, la erosión del viento y el agua han esculpido la maravillosa meseta de Ennedi, tallando cañones y valles que componen un paisaje espectacular. Las aguas subterráneas permanentes son imprescindibles para sostener el ecosistema del macizo de Ennedi, nutriendo la flora, la fauna cada vez más abundante gracias al nuevo proyecto de Reserva Natural del Ennedi gestionada por African Parks y los seres humanos que aquí habitan.
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Tchad : les lacs d'Ounianga
19 janvier 2008
Rushes du film « Home » :Survol de la région des lacs d'Ounianga situés en plein désert du Sahara, au Nord du Tchad. Des villages sont implantés sur les berges des lacs, protégés par des installations pour lutter contre l'avancée du désert.La vitesse d'évaporation des lacs est l'une des plus élevées du monde et la région ne connaît quasiment aucune précipitation. Les lacs sont essentiellement alimentés par la nappe phréatique fossile. Images d'archive INA
Institut National de l'Audiovisuel
Abonnez-vous
#INA #Voyage
Guelta d'Archei | Amazing lake in Sahara Desert
Guelta d'Archei amazing place in the heart of the Sahara Desert, It is located in the Ennedi Plateau, It is located in the Ennedi Plateau, in north-eastern Chad, south-east of the town of Fada. The Guelta d'Archei is inhabited by several kinds of animals, most notably the Nile crocodile, one of the last palace where Nile crocodiles are found in Sahara. The Middle Holocene remains, as well as rock paintings, indicate that this species once thrived across most of today's Sahara Desert and in swamps and rivers along South Mediterranean shores. The small group of surviving crocodiles in the Guelta d'Archei represent one of the last colonies know in the Sahara today; the Tagant Plateau colony in Mauritania has likely been extinct since 1996. The word Guelta means wetland, The reservoirs of this wetland is supported by groundwater. Guelta d'Arshey is surrounded by extensive desert areas, which make access to this awesome place.
Guelta Archei is a watering place for camels located in the Ennedi plateau. The guelta is also inhabited by a very small number ( between 1 and 7 there are only estimations) of the Nile crocodile. This is one of the last colonies of crocodiles in the Sahara. There is another colony in Mauritania. You can see the crocodile on the right edge. Image by Flickr user Hannes Rada
The Guelta d'Archei is the most famous permanent water source in the Ennedi region of Chad. Everyday, hundreds of camels are herded into the guelta in order to drink. That particular morning, one of the herdsmen was claiming that 850 of them were at once in the guelta. The value of a camel ranges between 250 EUR up to 800 EUR (and more). They are mainly raised for the milk they produce and as transport animals (not for the meat). Image by Flickr user A.Bielecki