Chad: Natural Arches of the Ennedi

The Ennedi Plateau is a beautiful part of the Sahara Desert in the northeastern section of the country of Chad. Much of it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in February 2016 which is managed by African Parks. The area contains hundreds of natural arches, and we currently have 143 entries in this portfolio. Above is a photo of the Arch of Bashekele by Enrique Pidal (the opening is over 100 feet high). Be aware that the U.S. State Department has a travel advisory to Chad due to the country's poverty, lack of tourist facilities, political unrest, and highway banditry.

Many thanks to Gunter Welz, Peter Felix Schaefer, Ray Millar, Jacques Taberlet (Fouderg), Santiago Cordero, Enrique Pidal, and others who helped us create this gallery. See also the Chad Tibesti Portfolio and the 13-minute video The Towers of the Ennedi Desert which shows climbing several of the Ennedi's rock spires including the spectacular Arch of Bashekele shown above.

Arches are listed in order below by NABSQNO (UTM coordinates), from west to east. Click on these coordinates or the thumbnail images on the right for larger photos (and more information or more photos where indicated). Please contact us if you have information about any additional natural arches in the Ennedi, or if you find any errors in our information.

ENNEDI ARCH KMZ FILE

Download this KMZ file (last updated July 9, 2020) and open it in Google Earth and it will display the locations of all these arches. Click on an arch and it will display a photo and other information (including UTM coordinates). Since most of these arches don't have a name, the arches without a name will beidentified in Google Earth by their Easting UTM number preceded by an "A" for "arch" because the programming requires beginning with a letter.

Can anyone identify the location of this arch? ELEPHANT ARCH III, Ennedi, Chad. Aerial photo by Pedro. Pedro found this one while looking for Elephant Arch II and thought this was it. However, it is clearly a different arch, presumably located somewhere near Elephant Arch II, but we don't know where. If you can provide coordinates for this arch, please contact webmaster@naturalarches.org.

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34Q 486200 1953474 UNNAMED ARCH. Photo by Ray Millar.

34Q 488934 1962625 UNNAMED ARCH. Span 28 feet, height 12 feet. Photo by Ray Millar.

34Q 490836 1952898 UNNAMED ARCH located in the Anoa region of the Ennedi, about 90 kilometers northwest of Fada. The larger opening is 16 feet high and has a span of 7 feet. Photo by Gunter Welz.

34Q 491662 1963353 UNNAMED ARCH. Span 17 feet, height 127 feet. Photo by Ray Millar.

34Q 494770 1962151 ANOA ARCH is located in the Anoa region of the Ennedi, about 90 kilometers northwest of Fada. The largest of the three openings is 55 feet high. The second largest opening is 40 feet high. Notice the person in the photo for scale. Photo by Gunter Welz.

34Q 519055 1920728 UNNAMED ARCH. Span 16 feet, height 23 feet. Photo by Gunter Welz.

34Q 523088 1909041 LITTLE ALOBA ARCH is located in the Bichagara area about 36 kilometers west of Fada. It has a measured height of 128 feet and a span of 30 feet. Photo by Gunter Welz.

34Q 529651 1887208 UNNAMED ARCHES. Coordinates approximate. These are visible to the south from Gara Gallagana Quadruple Arch. Photo by Enrique Pidal.

34Q 530721 1890040 GARA GALLAGANA QUADRUPLE ARCH is located in the Gara Gallagana area of Ennedi, Chad. Bottom left opening has a span of 43 feet and a height of 24 feet. Bottom right opening has a span of 25 feet and a height of 23 feet. Photos by Ray Millar and Enrique Pidal. MORE.

34Q 530788 1887860 UNNAMED ARCHES. Coordinates approximate. These are visible to the south from Gara Gallagana Quadruple Arch. Photo by Enrique Pidal.

34Q 532096 1898210 UNNAMED ARCH located in the Ndou region of the Ennedi. The span is 64 feet and the height is 99 feet. Through the opening you can see another arch. Photo by Ray Millar.

34Q 532146 1898504 UNNAMED ARCH located in the Ndou region of the Ennedi. The larger span is 58 feet with a height of 45 feet. This arch is ery close to another arch. Both arches together can be seen in a second photo. Photos by Ray Millar. MORE.

34Q 532355 1905463 UNNAMED ARCHES. Photo by Ray Millar.

34Q 532717 1905272 ANGEL ARCH. Estimated span 18 feet. Photo by Ray Millar.

34Q 533347 1890910 UNNAMED ARCHES. Gaora Hallagana area. Cave with five openings. Right opening has span of 16 feet and a height of 23 feet. Left opening has a span of 20 feet and a height of 26 feet. Photo by Ray Millar.

34Q 533401 1890857 UNNAMED ARCH. Gaora Hallagana area. Span 62 feet, height 45 feet. Photos by Ray Millar and Enrique Pidal. MORE.

34Q 535709 1887840 UNNAMED ARCH. Triple arch. Largest has a span of 35 feet and a height of 13 feet. Photo by Ray Millar.

34Q 536461 1887128 UNNAMED ARCHES. Coordinate approximate. Right opening has a span of 31 feet and a height of 26 feet. The left opening has a span of 17 feet and a height of 28 feet. Photo by Ray Millar.

34Q 538519 1902113 UNNAMED ARCH. Span 46 feet, height 13 feet. Photo by Ray Millar.

34Q 538639 1902124 UNNAMED ARCHES. Left opening has a span of 10 feet and a height of 8 feet. Right opening has a span of 18 feet and a height of 9 feet. Photo by Ray Millar.

34Q 539752 1884046 UNNAMED ARCH. Kernek area. Span 35 feet, height 18 feet. The arch has a lot of graffiti. Photo by Ray Millar.

34Q 540539 1878137 UNNAMED ARCH. Photo by Santiago Cordero.

34Q 541269 1877041 UNNAMED ARCH. This large arch is located in the Korokou region of the Ennedi about 32 kilometers southwest of Fada. Photo by Gunter Welz.

34Q 543398 1875137 UNNAMED ARCH. Estimated height of larger opening is 30 feet. Photo by Ray Millar.

34Q 545252 1870645 UNNAMED ARCHES. Larger opening: span 35 feet, height 19 feet. Smaller opening on right has estimated span of 12 feet. Photo by Ray Millar.

34Q 545905 1882187 UNNAMED ARCH located in the Korokou region of the Ennedi about 24 kilometers southwest of Fada. It has a span of 33 feet and a height of 35 feet. Photo by Gunter Welz.

34Q 546272 1866029 UNNAMED ARCH high on the skyline close to a 25-foot arch. Photo by Peter Felix Schaefer.

34Q 546290 1865041 UNNAMED ARCH with an estimated 30-foot span. Photos by Peter Felix Schaefer. MORE.

34Q 546321 1865937 UNNAMED ARCH with an estimated 25-foot span. Photo by Peter Felix Schaefer. MORE.

34Q 546532 1865027 UNNAMED ARCH. Looks like a cave, but is an arch, 20 feet above ground level, close to a 30-foot arch. Estimated 15-foot span. Photo by Peter Felix Schaefer.

34Q 548289 1867493 UNNAMED ARCH with a height estimated at 20 feet. Photo by Peter Felix Schaefer.

34Q 548428 1867492 UNNAMED DOUBLE ARCH with an estimated span of 20 feet for the larger opening. Photo by Peter Felix Schaefer.

34Q 550489 1878504 UNNAMED ARCH. Achiwili area. Estimated span of 8 feet. Photo by Ray Millar.

34Q 550492 1879305 UNNAMED ARCH. Achiwili area. Upper span estimated at 5 feet. Lower span estimated at 10 feet. Photo by Ray Millar.

34Q 550547 1878509 UNNAMED ARCH. Achiwili area. Estimated height 12 feet. Photo by Ray Millar.

34Q 550638 1878674 UNNAMED ARCH. Achiwili area. Span 9 feet, height 11 feet. Photo by Ray Millar.

34Q 550702 1878622 UNNAMED ARCH. Achiwili area. Estimated height 12 feet. Photo by Ray Millar.

34Q 550727 1878860 UNNAMED ARCH. Achiwili area. Span 10 feet, height 19 feet. Photo by Ray Millar.

34Q 550748 1867225 UNNAMED ARCH with an estimated span of 50 feet. Very hard to reach. Photo by Peter Felix Schaefer.

34Q 550761 1879204 UNNAMED ARCH. Achiwili area. Span estimated at 19 feet. Photo by Ray Millar.

34Q 550766 1878274 UNNAMED ARCH. Achiwili area. Height of opening estimated at 18 feet. Photo by Ray Millar.

34Q 550845 1879149 UNNAMED ARCH. Achiwili area. Span 17 feet, height 32 feet. Photo by Ray Millar.

34Q 550849 1879009 UNNAMED ARCH. Achiwili area. Span 35 feet, height 42 feet. Photo by Ray Millar.

34Q 551009 1887623 UNNAMED ARCH. Photo by Santiago Cordero.

34Q 551112 1887494 UNNAMED ARCH. Span 16 feet, height 15 feet. Photo by Ray Millar.

34Q 551361 1867740 UNNAMED ARCHES up in the rocks. Notice the cars below. Below is a telephoto view. Photos by Peter Felix Schaefer. MORE.

34Q 551443 1887969 UNNAMED ARCH. Estimated span of 50 feet. Photo by Enrique Pidal.

34Q 551475 1868188 UNNAMED ARCH. Photo by Jacques Taberlet (Fouderg).

34Q 551501 1868107 UNNAMED ARCHES. Beautiful triple arch; third opening not in the photo. Larger span estimated at 35 feet. Photo by Peter Felix Schaefer.

34Q 552084 1882960 UNNAMED ARCH. Estimated span 6 feet. Photo by Ray Millar.

34Q 552964 1869022 UNNAMED ARCH in the Gakourou area of Ennedi, Chad. It has a span of 122 feet and a height of 36 feet. Photo by Peter Felix Schaefer.

34Q 553153 1868742 UNNAMED ARCH. Estimated span of 20 feet. Photo by Peter Felix Schaefer.

34Q 553796 1869570 UNNAMED ARCH. Inside and outside views. Photos by Peter Felix Schaefer. MORE.

34Q 553901 1879277 UNNAMED ARCH. Span 19 feet, height 20 feet. Photo by Ray Millar.

34Q 553972 1869224 UNNAMED ARCH. Span 44 feet. Photo by Ray Millar.

34Q 554714 1869957 UNNAMED ARCH. The larger opening in this double arch has an estimated span of 15 feet. The second opening is well below and slightly to the right of the larger opening. Photo by Peter Felix Schaefer.

34Q 554845 1886053 UNNAMED ARCH in the Awayke area of Ennedi, Chad. The span is 23 feet and the height is 26 feet. Photo by Ray Millar.

34Q 556358 1896218 UNNAMED DOUBLE ARCH. Photo by Santiago Cordero.

34Q 556450 1863187 UNNAMED ARCH. Span 25 feet, height 12 feet. Photo by Ray Millar.

34Q 556495 1870122 UNNAMED ARCH. Estimated span of 25 feet. Photo by Peter Felix Schaefer.

34Q 556680 1869216 UNNAMED ARCH. Photo by Jacques Taberlet (Fouderg).

34Q 556692 1869846 UNNAMED ARCH. Photo by Peter Felix Schaefer, taken with a telephoto lens.

34Q 558601 1865075 UNNAMED ARCH with an estimated span of 35 feet. A smaller opening is in the next rock to the right. Photos by Peter Felix Schaefer. MORE.

34Q 558792 1865077 UNNAMED ARCHES in the same rock outcrop as the previous arch. Photos by Peter Felix Schaefer. MORE.

34Q 560416 1857085 UNNAMED ARCHES. Photo by Gunter Welz.

34Q 560531 1856346 THE AFRICAN WOMAN, Katchabe area of Ennedi, Chad. 23 foot span, 83 foot height. Photos by Ray Millar and Pedro. MORE.

34Q 560578 1887563 UNNAMED ARCH. Height estimated at 60 feet. Photo by Ray Millar.

34Q 565042 1885579 UNNAMED ARCH. Span estimated at 15 feet. Photo by Enrique Pidal.

34Q 566041 1886283 UNNAMED ARCH. Photo by Enrique Pidal.

34Q 566604 1866839 UNNAMED ARCHES in the Dartekele area of Ennedi. Left arch: 21 foot span, 19 foot height. Right arch: 33 foot span, 28 foot height. Photos by Santiago Cordero. MORE.

34Q 566612 1866732 UNNAMED ARCH in the Dartekele area of the Ennedi. Span 15 feet, height 9 feet. Photo by Santiago Cordero.

34Q 566700 1850560 UNNAMED ARCHES. Photo by Santiago Cordero.

34Q 566844 1850355 UNNAMED ARCH. Photo by Jacques Taberlet (Fouderg).

34Q 567224 1850244 UNNAMED ARCHES. Photo by Santiago Cordero.

34Q 568191 1866382 UNNAMED ARCH. Span 14 feet, height 29 feet. Photo by Ray Millar.

34Q 569470 1859593 UNNAMED ARCH. Photo by Jacques Taberlet (Fouderg).

34Q 569681 1848795 UNNAMED DOUBLE ARCH. Photo by Jacques Taberlet (Fouderg).

34Q 571052 1854669 UNNAMED ARCH with span of 76 feet and a height of 50 feet. The presence of a wash under the span, as can be seen in the photo below, indicates that this could be considered a natural bridge. Photos by Peter Felix Schaefer.

34Q 571221 1854971 UNNAMED DOUBLE ARCH. Photo by Peter Felix Schaefer.

34Q 571248 1858160 UNNAMED ARCH with an estimated span of 15 feet. Photos by Peter Felix Schaefer. MORE.

34Q 571760 1848258 UNNAMED DOUBLE ARCH in Terkei Massif, Ennedi, Chad. The larger opening has span of 40 feet and a height of 57 feet. Photo by Ray Millar.

34Q 571828 1862849 MASK ROCK is located in the Ouadi Archei region of Ennedi about 39 kilometers SSE of Fada. The left opening has a span of 36 feet and a height of 57 feet. The right opening has a span of 27 feet and a height of 50 feet. Photo by Gunter Welz.

34Q 572921 1856474 UNNAMED ARCH. Estimated span 13 feet. Photo by Ray Millar.

34Q 573266 1849649 UNNAMED ARCH located in the Terkei region of Ennedi. It has a span of 43 feet and a height of 66 feet. Photo by Gunter Welz.

34Q 577998 1870390 UNNAMED ARCH. Photos by Enrique Pidal. MORE.

34Q 579721 1859883 Although this likely does not qualify as a true natural arch, we liked it anyway so are including it here. Photo by Jacques Taberlet (Fouderg).

34Q 579869 1864322 UNNAMED ARCHES. Photo by Jacques Taberlet (Fouderg).

34Q 585793 1852873 UNNAMED ARCH with an estimated span of 15 feet. Photos by Peter Felix Schaefer. MORE.

34Q 586694 1852832 UNNAMED ARCH. Photo by Enrique Pidal. MORE.

34Q 587062 1854309 UNNAMED ARCH with an estimated height of 25 feet. Photos by Peter Felix Schaefer. MORE.

34Q 587224 1854016 UNNAMED DOUBLE ARCH with an estimated span of 20 feet. Photos by Peter Felix Schaefer. MORE.

34Q 587313 1854533 UNNAMED ARCH with an estimated height of 45 feet. Photo by Peter Felix Schaefer.

34Q 587512 1854560 UNNAMED DOUBLE ARCH. Below is a closer view of the larger opening. Photos by Peter Felix Schaefer. MORE.

34Q 587913 1858207 UNNAMED ARCH. Span 49 feet, height 182 feet. Photo by Ray Millar.

34Q 588329 1854514 UNNAMED ARCH with an estimated span of 40 feet. Several tombs are nearby. Photos by Peter Felix Schaefer. MORE.

34Q 588589 1854880 UNNAMED ARCH. Estimated span of 7 feet. Photo by Peter Felix Schaefer.

34Q 588596 1854326 THE EYE OF TOKOU is located in the middle of the Tokou massif south of Ouadi Nohi. It has a span of 59 feet and a height of 57 feet (measured by Gunter Welz). Notice the person inside the opening for scale. Photos by Dr. Rolf Windheim and Peter Felix Schaefer. Aerial photo by Pedro. MORE.

34Q 588673 1855009 UNNAMED ARCHES. Wall contains 7+ openings with estimated spans of 7 to 10 feet. Photo below shows view through one of these to another arch. Photos by Peter Felix Schaefer. MORE.

34Q 588909 1855223 UNNAMED ARCHES. Wall contains 4+ openings. Top photo shows a view of the Eye of Tokou. This arch has an estimated span of 13 feet. Photos by Peter Felix Schaefer. MORE.

34Q 589045 1854882 UNNAMED ARCHES with an estimated span of 20 feet. Notice the person in the lower opening for scale. Photo by Peter Felix Schaefer.

34Q 589164 1855576 UNNAMED DOUBLE ARCH with an estimated height of 25 feet. Photo by Peter Felix Schaefer.

34Q 589250 1854180 UNNAMED ARCH in the Tokou region, Ennedi, Chad. Photo by Peter Felix Schaefer. Located close to Three Arch Rock as can be seen in the aerial photo by Pedro. MORE.

34Q 589344 1854076 UNNAMED ARCH close to Three Arch Rock. Photo by Peter Felix Schaefer.

34Q 589356 1854055 THREE ARCH ROCK in the Tokou region, Ennedi, Chad. Photos by Peter Felix Schaefer. Aerial photo by Pedro shows another arch nearby. MORE.

34Q 589440 1853233 ELEPHANT ARCH is located on the Tokou massif south of Ouadi Nohi. The span was measured at 59 feet and the height was measured at 75 feet. Notice the smaller opening in the upper left (the "eye" of the elephant). Photo by Gunter Welz. Aerial photo by Pedro. MORE.

34Q 589676 1855430 UNNAMED DOUBLE ARCH with an estimated span of 15 feet (lower opening). Photo by Peter Felix Schaefer.

34Q 590323 1861354 UNNAMED DOUBLE ARCH with an estimated span of 20 feet (larger opening). Photos by Peter Felix Schaefer. MORE.

34Q 590377 1859688 UNNAMED ARCHES. The larger opening has a span of 23 feet and a height of 41 feet. Photo by Peter Felix Schaefer.

34Q 590519 1859100 UNNAMED ARCH. A particularly nice example of an abandoned natural arch in the Cero area of Ennedi, Chad, is shown here. Span 34 feet, height 30 feet. Photo by Ray Millar.

34Q 590535 1853812 UNNAMED DOUBLE ARCH in the Tokou area of Ennedi, Chad. The larger opening has a span of 20 feet and a height of 13 feet. The smaller opening has a span and height of 7 feet. Photos by Peter Felix Schaefer. Aerial photo by Pedro shows a large arch nearby. MORE.

34Q 590654 1853740 UNNAMED ARCH with an estimated span of 24 feet and a measured height of 117 feet. Photos by Peter Felix Schaefer. Aerial photo by Pedro shows another arch nearby. MORE.

34Q 590982 1864060 UNNAMED ARCH. Photo by Jacques Taberlet (Fouderg).

34Q 591047 1863908 UNNAMED ARCHES located in the Labyrinth region of Ennedi about 46 kilometers southeast of Fada. There are two arches in this photo. The one in the foreground has a measured height of 54 feet. The one in the background has a measured height of 26 feet. Photo by Gunter Welz.

34Q 591047 1864210 UNNAMED ARCH located in the Labyrinth region of Ennedi about 46 kilometers southeast of Fada. It is located about 300 meters north of another arch. It has a span of 32 feet and a height of 24 feet. Photo by Gunter Welz.

34Q 592720 1861384 UNNAMED ARCH. Photo by Jacques Taberlet (Fouderg).

34Q 596699 1844391 UNNAMED ARCH. Estimated height 20 feet. Photo by Ray Millar.

34Q 598217 1856747 UNNAMED ARCH. Span of largest of the three opening is estimated at 15 feet. Photo by Ray Millar.

34Q 598406 1855920 UNNAMED DOUBLE ARCH in Bamena Massif, Ennedi, Chad. Photo by Jacques Taberlet (Fouderg).

34Q 600476 1853963 UNNAMED ARCH in Bamena Massif, Ennedi, Chad. Photo by Jacques Taberlet (Fouderg).

34Q 600769 1855872 UNNAMED ARCH. Span 34 feet, height 69 feet. Photo by Ray Millar.

34Q 605671 1846631 UNNAMED ARCH. Photo by Jacques Taberlet (Fouderg). Span 53 feet, height 102 feet.

34Q 605876 1846520 UNNAMED ARCH. At other end of the rock outcrop containing the arch at 34Q 605671 1846631. Span estimated at 40 feet, height estimated at 65 feet. Height of opening above desert floor measured at 99 feet. Photo by Ray Millar. MORE.

34Q 607401 1849420 UNNAMED ARCH. Span estimated at 18 feet, height estimated at 50 feet. Photo by Ray Millar.

34Q 608450 1846394 UNNAMED ARCH. Estimated span 4 feet. Photo by Ray Millar.

34Q 608477 1846496 UNNAMED ARCH. Photo by Jacques Taberlet (Fouderg).

34Q 610664 1849317 UNNAMED ARCH. Estimated span 15 feet. Photo by Ray Millar.

34Q 611800 1837145 THE CYCLOPS is the guardian of the entrance to the Ennedi, Chad. Estimated span 26 feet, estimated height, 40 feet. Photos by Jacques Taberlet (Fouderg) and Ray Millar. Aerial photo by Pedro. MORE.

34Q 612439 1840692 UNNAMED ARCH with a span of 79 feet in Bamena Massif, Ennedi, Chad. Photos by Peter Felix Schaefer. Aerial photo by Pedro. MORE.

34Q 614470 1843072 UNNAMED ARCH near Five Arch Rock in the Sombora region of Ennedi. It has a span of 35 feet and a height of 72 feet. Photo by Gunter Welz.

34Q 614647 1843327 UNNAMED ARCH in Vers Anoko area near Five Arch Rock, Ennedi, Chad. Photo by Peter Felix Schaefer.

34Q 614652 1843286 FIVE ARCH ROCK is located in the Sombora region of Ennedi, in a side valley of Oued Sini on the west side of Anoko Mountain, about 10 miles southwest of Aloba Arch. MORE.

34Q 615980 1842318 UNNAMED ARCH about a 15-minute walk southeast of Five Arch Rock, Ennedi, Chad. Photo by Peter Felix Schaefer.

34Q 619949 1848156 UNNAMED ARCH. Span 58 feet, height 66 feet. The span is greater than what can be seen in the photo. Photo by Ray Millar.

34Q 625510 1857392 UNNAMED ARCH. Photo by Jacques Taberlet (Fouderg).

34Q 628864 1856338 UNNAMED ARCH in the Dikerde area of Ennedi, Chad, with an estimated height of 43 feet. Photos by Jacques Taberlet (Fouderg) and Ray Millar. MORE.

34Q 628975 1856222 DENTELLES ARCHES in Oued Aloba (Aloba Wash) in the Dikerde area of Ennedi, Chad. The largest opening is estimated at 33 feet in span and 79 feet high. Photo by Jacques Taberlet (Fouderg).

34Q 629032 1856214 UNNAMED ARCH in Oued Aloba (Aloba Wash) in the Dikerde area of Ennedi, Chad. Photo by Gunter Welz.

34Q 632109 1851440 ALOBA ARCH is one of the most magnificent natural arches in the world and one of the listed Giant Arches over 200 feet in span. MORE (use the back button to return to this page).

34Q 639678 1848914 CHEBE ARCH is named after the village it overlooks, has an estimated 10 foot span and 23 foot height, and has three small openings in the span. Photos by Ray Millar. MORE.

34Q 641224 1829851 THE ARCH OF BASHEKELE is located near Djoula Oued ("oued" is the Arabic word for "wash") in the Djoula region of the Ennedi area of Chad. It has a measured span of 46 feet and a measured height of 107 feet. MORE.

34Q 642200 1831977 MONOU'S DOOR, Monou area, Ennedi, Chad. Aerial photo by Pedro.

34Q 642581 1843283 UNNAMED ARCH located in the Cheghela region of the Ennedi, about 13 kilometers SE of Aloba Arch. The height is 21 feet. Photo by Gunter Welz.

34Q 642834 1827850 ELEPHANT ARCH II is in the Bashekele region of the Ennedi. It has a measured height of 94 feet and an estimated span of 15 feet. Photo by Gunter Welz.

See also the Chad Tibesti Portfolio

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