Guelta d’Archei, nestled in the heart of the Sahara desert, is more than just an oasis—it is a unique guelta. A guelta is a distinct type of wetland found in desert regions, formed when subterranean water in lowland depressions emerges to the surface, creating permanent pools and reservoirs. Located in the Ennedi Plateau of northeastern Chad, Guelta d’Archei remains concealed behind a canyon, its tranquil waters protected by towering sandstone cliffs that are characteristic of the region.
Up on the cliffs are rock paintings, dating back to middle Holocene, that ѕtапd testament to the guelta’s long age.
Guelta d’Archei is a Ьаггeп place, away from Ьeаteп paths. Reaching it requires a 4×4 and at least four days’ travel from n’Djamena, the capital of Chad. From there, a trek of a few hours will take you to the place seen in these pictures.
Photo credit
Photo credit
Photo credit
Photo credit
Photo credit
Photo credit
Photo credit
Photo credit
Every day, passing caravans guide hundreds of camels to the deep waters of the guelta, providing them with a much-needed opportunity to drink and rest. Over centuries, the accumulation of camel dung has caused the water to turn a striking black hue.
Within these mysterious black waters reside a small group of surviving Nile crocodiles, remnants of a time when this species thrived across much of the present-day Sahara desert and the swamps and rivers along the southern Mediterranean shores. Guelta d’Archei stands as one of the last known colonies of Nile crocodiles within the Sahara today. These crocodiles sustain themselves by preying on fish that thrive on the algae flourishing in the waters fertilized by the camel droppings. Truly, Guelta d’Archei represents a remarkable zoological marvel.