Preparing for Desert and Wilderness Expeditions
This blog relates to our expeditions to the Sahara Desert in Chad. Yet it’s relevant to any more adventurous expedition into a pure wilderness area with little infrastructure.
For the adventurous traveller nothing compares to the thrill of getting truly off the beaten track, path or grid. And an expedition into the depths of the Sahara Desert certainly delivers remote wilderness.
However, there are important considerations for your health and safety when travelling to such remote regions, which I’ll outline below. Adventure is great, but minimise the unnecessary risks too!
Guidelines for any Wilderness Expedition
1. Only Travel With Local Experts
The Sahara Desert in Chad offers areas of great beauty. But it is one of the most hostile places for human life. For this reason, the organisation and undertaking of a journey in the Sahara requires expert preparation, in both technical and human terms. Our representative in Chad has operated in this region for years. Therefore their team of guides, driver-mechanics and cooks can be relied upon completely.
Their extensive experience of nomadic life and of the country’s traditions – combined with a perfect understanding of the difficult terrain – will allow you to safely explore and appreciate every aspect of the Chadian desert.
2. You’ll Learn that the Desert/Wilderness is far from Barren
You’ll not only see incredible formations of rocks and dunes, and stunning isolated oases – reveling in the feeling of total freedom and expansiveness. But this trip will also stimulate a profound interest in the desert people and their traditions.
You’ll see desert wildlife which has adapted to thrive in these conditions.
You’ll learn about the past and pre-historic civilizations that lived here. Amazingly showing that this was once a once lush and fertile land. They left evidence in the form of beautifully preserved cave art. All the guides are aware of the importance of these sites and the absolute importance of safeguarding them, along with the wildlife which lives in these remote and wild landscapes.
3. Be Prepared to Help Out
On a desert or wilderness adventure far from ‘civilisation’ you should be prepared to join in with the camp activities. These are usually participatory trips or expeditions, in quite challenging conditions. Even in a fully serviced camp your guide, camp crew and drivers will certainly appreciate a willingness to ‘muck in’.
4. Be Physically and Psychologically Fit
Expeditions often have long days on uncomfortable roads, hiking and other more challenging adventures, so a certain degree of fitness and mental sturdiness is required.
Remote village medical centres are basic or non-existent. In particular, anyone with concerns or a health condition should seriously consider the implications of being taken ill in an area where it could be days to the nearest hospital. You should bring a medical kit with you. And if you don’t wish to carry it back donate it to a local (as medical supplies are expensive and not always readily available).
However, for those of you who are psychologically and physically prepared for such a journey, you will find yourself smitten with the feeling of pure freedom and adventure such a personal odyssey will give you.
The local team in Chad works in very close partnership with the visiting European guides. Both teams work together to help the western traveller to understand the cultural and environmental differences on the ground in Chad.
Summary
However, the differences here are much greater than on other journeys. This is far more than just a ‘tour’ or ‘trip’ or even ‘journey’. A trip to the deep Sahara Desert still really is an expedition and adventure. So, we urge anyone travelling to Chad to make sure they are physically and psychologically fit to make the journey.
You will need to set western pre-conceptions behind and totally open your mind.
In the Sahara you are going to have an experience unlike any other – after which, we assure you, you will never feel the same again.
