Comprehensive Guide Collection for Zakouma National Park in the Guéra Region

Chad's oldest national park and a vital stronghold for Central African wildlife

Zakouma National Park

Zakouma National Park stands as Chad's premier wildlife sanctuary and the oldest national park in the country, established in 1963 through presidential decree to provide the highest level of legal protection available under Chadian law. The park occupies a vast expanse of approximately 3,000 square kilometers in southeastern Chad, straddling the administrative boundary between Guéra Region and Salamat Region. This strategic location places the park at the intersection of different ecological zones, contributing to its remarkable biodiversity. The landscape consists primarily of Sudano-Sahelian vegetation, featuring expansive shrubland, tall seasonal grasses, and distinctive Acacia forests dominated by species such as Vachellia seyal. The park's ecological significance extends far beyond its borders, serving as a critical refuge for wildlife populations that have been dramatically reduced across much of Central Africa due to habitat loss, poaching, and human encroachment. The management of Zakouma shifted dramatically in 2010 when the Chadian government partnered with African Parks, a nonprofit conservation organization that has implemented comprehensive anti-poaching strategies, community engagement programs, and habitat restoration efforts. This partnership has transformed Zakouma from a park under severe threat into a symbol of successful conservation in Africa, with documented increases in key species populations and the establishment of additional protected areas surrounding the core park boundaries.