Chad by helicopter
Private helicopter expedition
A journey across the Soul of the Sahara — flying from cathedral-like sandstone citadels to volcanic calderas, forgotten meteorites, ancient rock art galleries, and the highest mountain in the Sahara.This is one of the most inaccessible expeditions on Earth, unlocked only through dmX’s partnership with the Ravà family and their 40-year legacy in the Central Sahara.
Journey
ARRIVAL – N’DJAMENA
Arrive in NDJ, VIP meet-and-greet, and overnight at Hotel LaResidence. Final preparations before the desert frontier.
DAY 1 INTO THE ENNEDI MASSIF
NDJ → Ennedi (Private Charter, 3 hrs) Land at Nisham Airstrip and transfer 15 minutes into Warda Camp —your base for the next four nights. Afternoon acclimatisation walk among sandstone towers and eroded pinnacles.
Journey
DAY 2 BIR KORA & THE NORTHWEST ENNEDI
Helicopter exploration of:–Bichagara desertscape — monumental tassili formations–Battle of Bir Kora — wrecked Libyan tanks from the 1987 Toyota Wars–Anoa Rock Art–Achiwili canyon & tassili walls–Bechike Canyon & Ga Kourow rock engravings.
Picnic in the field, return mid-afternoon.
Journey
DAY 4 ALOBA ARCHEI & THE EASTERNENNEDI ICONS
Your day includes:
–Chere Rock Art;
–Cruziana fossil site;
–Aloba Arch — the second-highest natural arch on Earth (120mhigh, 75m wide);
–Bachiguelle Canyon;
–Archei Guelta — herders, camel caravans & the last surviving Saharan crocodiles;
–Return to camp and take an optional sundowner helicopter flight.
Journey
DAY 5 ENNEDI → OUNIANGA → TIBESTI
A signature dmX air journey:
–Cross the Mourdi Depression dune fields;
–Coffee stop at Maiar Ridge;
–Land at the UNESCO Ounianga Lakes — turquoise jewels in anocean of sand;
–Swim in freshwater lakes;
–Picnic under palms–Continue north into the Tibesti Mountains, landing at Moiounga Camp.
Settle in and climb the dune ridge above camp for sunset.
Journey
DAY 6 EMI KOUSSI VOLCANO & THENATRON CRATER
–Erdebeche rock paintings (rhino, giraffe, hunters — some 8,000 years old);
–Koboue & Gaguele canyons — white-sand wadis lined with doum palms;
–Beijuoa Rock Art;
–Maya Canyon;
–Aoue Guelta.
Journey
DAY 7 OURI & THE NORTHEAST TIBESTI
-Karnasahi & Fofoda Rock Art — among the most elegant in the Sahara;
–Old French forts;
–Compass graves — 140m-long megalithic tombs;
–Boda guelta;
–A day blending archaeology, anthropology, and big desertaesthetics.
Journey
DAY 8 BORKOU: METEORITES, YARDANGS &HEALING SPRINGS
–Aurounga Meteorite Crater — a 400-million-year scar on the desert;
–Borkou Yardang Field — the world’s second largest;
–Kouroudi Rock Art;
–Yerra hot spring — natural healing waters used by Tubu nomads.
Journey
DAY 9 TARSO REGION: VOLCANOES &FOSSILISED LANDSCAPES
–Tarso Toon, Taro Voon, Tieroko — extinct volcano complexes;
–Digital Valley and its eroded miniature plateaus;
–Walking safari inside Tarso Toon caldera (20km wide; no sign ofhuman life);
–Chance of sighting Barbary sheep.
Dwellings
WARDA CAMP — ENNEDI MASSIF
–Set below sandstone cliffs;
–Wildlife: Barbary sheep, Dorcas gazelle, patas monkeys, striped hyena
–Daily heli excursions with multiple landings.
Signature elements
Helicopter-Only Access
These regions have no roads, no formal infrastructure, and no possibility of access without an expedition-level aerial program;
Archaeology & Deep Time
Rock art spanning 8,000+ years; meteorites; desert civilisations; ancient hydrological systems.