Lakes of Ounianga

The Lakes of Ounianga comprise eighteen interconnected bodies of water spread across roughly 63,000 hectares in the Sahara Desert, divided into two distinct groups separated by distance. These lakes are fed by underground springs and create thriving ecosystems in the middle of the desert.

Archaeological digs near Lake Yoa reveal sediment layers that document environmental shifts and human settlements from roughly 11,000 years ago. These discoveries come from a period when the climate was wetter and the region supported pastoral communities.

Local communities around the lakes maintain traditional date palm cultivation methods, preserving genetic diversity that supports regional agriculture.

Visiting the lakes requires guidance from local experts who know the established routes through the Ennedi region, as the terrain is remote. Vehicle access is restricted to designated pathways to protect the natural environment.

Lake Yoa contains water so saline that only adapted algae and microorganisms can survive in it, reaching depths of 27 meters (89 feet). This extreme setting functions more like an isolated laboratory than a typical lake.