Mourdi Depression — Wadi Floor Dispersed Camp near Koulbous

The Mourdi Depression is a vast, ancient lake basin east of the Ennedi Massif, and the wadi floors threading through it toward Koulbous are the only sensible bivouac terrain on this stretch of the piste. Flat, hard-packed sand between low sandstone ribs gives you a stable camp with natural windbreak on most sides. No facilities, no signage, no shade to speak of — just open desert and the kind of silence that makes you check if your ears still work. Wildlife is present: camel spiders, scorpions, and if you’re lucky, passing Toubou camel herders who’ll share tea and information worth more than any GPS track.

Access is entirely off-piste — follow established tire tracks southeast from Fada toward the depression. A second spare, full jerry cans, and a sand anchor are non-negotiable here. The piste to Guéréda is long and fuel is not guaranteed between Fada and Guéréda, so plan accordingly. Best window is November through February. Summer heat in the depression is life-threatening.

Wadi floor camp in the ancient Mourdi basin.