Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All Chad Guelta d'Archei

Guelta d'Archei

Camels and crocodiles share the black waters of this stunning Saharan oasis.

Chad

Added By
Tony Dunnell
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
Guelta d’Archei.   Sherif Ali Yousef/cc by-sa 4.0
Guelta d’Archei.   Ahmed mostafa Ali/cc by-sa 4.0
Guelta d’Archei.   Dario Menasce/cc by-sa 3.0
Crocodile in the Guelta d’Archei.   David Stanley/cc by 2.0
Guelta d’Archei.   Valerian Guillot/cc by 2.0
Guelta d’Archei.   anmede/cc by-sa 2.0
Guelta d’Archei.   Valerian Guillot/cc by 2.0
Guelta d’Archei.   David Stanley/cc by 2.0
Guelta d’Archei.   David Stanley/cc by 2.0
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

The Guelta d'Archei is a guelta, or oasis, in the Ennedi Plateau in northeastern Chad. For centuries, caravans have stopped in the steep-faced canyon to water their camels. Every day, hundreds of camels can be seen drinking the black water of the guelta, their grunts and bellows echoing around the canyon walls.

The mostly knee-deep water has turned black over the years due to the incessant supply of excrement offloaded by the thirsty camels. Not exactly the perfect place for a swim, then, unless you happen to be a crocodile.

Crocodiles were once widespread throughout the Sahara until the early 20th century, when increased aridity combined with human persecution led to the extinction of many local populations. The best-known remaining population in Chad is found in the Guelta d'Archei, where West African crocodiles eat the fish that thrive on the algae-rich waters of the camel-dung fertilized guelta.

Frogs also inhabit the guelta, and desert antelope can sometimes be seen drinking from the precious supply of water. With the exception of the daily camel herders, humans are scarce. Chad is one of the least visited countries in the world, and the oasis sits in the middle of the Sahara.

But for those adventurous travelers who do brave the desert for a trip to the Guelta d'Archei, the reward is a surreal landscape in one of the Sahara’s most ancient oases, as attested by the rock paintings up on the cliffs, some of which date back to the middle Holocene.

Related Tags

Oasis Camels Natural Wonders Reptiles Deserts Intriguing Environs Nature Water Ecosystems

Know Before You Go

The Guelta d'Archei is located in the Ennedi Plateau in north-eastern Chad, about 25 miles southeast of the town of Fada. Trips to the guelta can be arranged in the capital N'Djamena, but get ready for quite a voyage. It’s a four-day journey across the desert by 4×4 (or camel if you so desire), and then a few hours of trekking to reach the guelta itself. Alternatively, you can look for a flight into Fada and arrange a trip from there. Needless to say, be careful in or around the dung-blackened water. West African crocodiles are smaller and less aggressive than the closely related Nile crocodile, but they could still take a bite at a human.

Community Contributors

Added By

Tony Dunnell

Published

December 27, 2019

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0014734
  • https://www.amusingplanet.com/2014/04/guelta-darchei-surprising-oasis-in-chad.html
  • https://traveleering.com/hidden-jewel-sahara/
  • http://www.desertando.com/english/Desertando.Places03.GueltaDArchei.html
Guelta d'Archei
Chad
16.906184, 21.774463

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Chad

Chad

Africa

Places 2

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Chad

Chad

Africa

Places 2

Related Places

  • Quitobaquito Springs.

    Ajo, Arizona

    Quitobaquito Springs

    This oasis-like spring in the Sonoran Desert is home to unique, endangered species.

  • Ein Avdat pool and waterfall.

    Be'er Sheva, Israel

    Ein Avdat

    A magical oasis in the middle of the Negev Desert.

  • Krupaj Spring.

    Milanovac, Serbia

    Krupaj Spring

    Legends of treasure and spirits flow from this this fairy tale-like oasis.

  • The salt lake becomes colorful in warm temperatures because of algae growth

    Yuncheng, China

    Yuncheng Salt Lake

    Rainbow-hued in the summer and crystalline in the winter, this salty lake has inspired battles, temples, and plenty of awe.

  • Laws Spring engraving.

    Williams, Arizona

    Laws Spring

    This remote desert watering hole has a connection to a curious chapter of American history.

  • Barracuda Lake.

    Coron, Philippines

    Barracuda Lake

    This curious fresh and salt water lake holds a secret that draws in deep divers from around the world.

  • Laguna Verde seen from Licancabur, with Laguna Blanca behind it.

    Bolivia

    Laguna Verde

    This lake’s emerald green waters are a spectacular sight, but it’s not a great place for a swim.

  • Larnaca Salt Lake, dry.

    Larnaca, Cyprus

    Larnaca Salt Lake

    Once part of an ancient international harbor, it's now an all-you-can-eat shrimp buffet for flamingos and other water birds.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.