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Chad
The Republic of Chad is a landlocked country in northern Central Africa. It is bordered by Libya to the north, Sudan to the east, the Central African Republic to the south. It is the fifth largest country in Africa in terms of area, almost twice the size of the State of Texas.
Chad has several regions: a desert zone in the north, an arid Sahelian belt in the center and a more fertile Sudanese Savanna zone in the south. Lake Chad, after which the country is named, is the largest wetland in Chad and the second-largest in Africa. The capital N’Djamena is the largest city, and the start point for all safaris. Chad is home to over 200 different ethnic and linguistic groups. Arabic and French are the official languages. Islam and Christianity are the most widely practiced religions.
Chad’s animal and plant life correspond to the three climatic zones. In the Saharan region, the only flora is the date-palm groves of the oasis, and little wildlife remains. Palms and acacia trees grow in the Sahelian region, which harbors a few dry country species. The southern, or Sudanic, zone consists of broad grassland savannah, with rolling hills and small mountains. This is where safaris take place today. Extensive deforestation, continuing civil wars and dysfunctional politics; also expanded livestock farming and increasing human settlements have caused loss of natural habitat for wild game. Large game, such as elephant, lion, leopard and rhino have been almost decimated.
Today Chad is a destination for collectors, not for general bag safaris. It is the best venue for hunting the western greater kudu, and the only country where the red-fronted gazelle can be hunted. The hunting season is limited to January through March, and small harvest quotas require booking well in advance.
Species List:
- Western Greater Kudu
- Western Roan
- Lelwel Hartebeest
- Nigerian Bohor Reedbuck
- Red-fronted Gazelle
- Western Bush Duiker
- Oribi
- Warthog
- Striped Hyena
- Golden Jackal
- Side-striped Jackal
- African Wild Cat