Tibesti

The Tibesti, or Tibesti Mountains, is a volcanic mountain range in the northern Chad portion of the central Sahara, near the borders with Niger and Libya. It forms the core of Chad’s Tibesti Region and is widely considered the highest and most extensive volcanic area in the Sahara. The landscape is marked by rugged high plateaus, numerous peaks, lava fields, calderas, and deep canyons. The highest point is Emi Koussi, a shield volcano that rises to about 3,445 meters above sea level.

Geology and geology-related features define the range as part of the Tibesti volcanic province, produced by Cenozoic volcanic activity. The terrain includes shield volcanoes, monogenetic cones, lava domes, and extensive basalt flows, creating a deeply eroded and sparsely vegetated landscape. Eruptions in the distant geologic past have shaped the present topography, though the area is considered currently inactive volcanically.

Climate in the Tibesti is extremely arid, with hot days and cold nights and very limited rainfall. The harsh conditions support only hardy vegetation in places and a range of desert-adapted wildlife. Human settlement is sparse and concentrated in oases or along seasonal routes.

People and culture: The mountains are traditionally inhabited by the Toubou (Teda) people, who have practiced nomadic and semi-nomadic pastoralism for centuries. The region holds archaeological and cultural significance, including rock art and shelters that reflect long-standing human presence in the Sahara.

Access and administration: The Tibesti region is remote and rugged, with limited infrastructure and, at times, restricted access due to security concerns and governance. It remains a focal point for geology, archaeology, and studies of Saharan cultures, while remaining little-visited by tourists.