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14 Best Places to Visit in Chad

A visit to Chad is not for the fainthearted. The country has been described as extreme in a continent that is full of destinations that will leave you out of your comfort zone. The country is certainly one that will leave you with memories, good and bad, that you will never forget.

Currently conflict in the country has made it simply to unsafe to visit but even in times of peace; this is a country for the travel hardened adventurer. Finding a comfortable hotel to spend a night is difficult, finding a road that is safe to travel on is even more so. The heat can often be unbearable with temperatures regularly exceeding 40 degrees Celsius. Oh and don’t forget that the police and military here are corrupt and will ask you for “gifts” as negotiation.

You may find yourself asking “well, why would anyone want to visit Chad?”. The answer could be the stunning terrain of the Sahara Desert which is some of the most oddly beautiful in the world, or the answer could be the animals that live in the Zakouma National Park. In all likelyhood however the reason for visiting a country like Chad is simply to experience what life is like in one of the most hostile and poorest parts of the world. A trip to Chad is far from a holiday but more of a life lesson.

Lets explore the best places to visit in Chad :

1. N’Djamena

The capital and largest city in Chad, N’djamena is a blend of modern and historic cultures. The population of N’Djamena is growing at an alarming rate due to many citizens of the country seeking the opportunities that come with life in the city.

Despite the modern appearance of some buildings, there are many mud-brick structures that will remind you that you are still in one of the world’s poorest countries. The nightlife here is truly amazing and the lively bars have to be powered by hundreds of generators that reinforce the national grid.

The national museum, which explores the history of Chad for the last several thousand years, and the central market are the two main attractions in the daytime.

Sarh was once the site of the French Colonial Fort Archambault. It is located on the Chari River, roughly 350 miles away from the capital city of N’Djamena.

The climate here is warm with a wet season which makes it perfect for cotton production; the city’s main export. Visitors will find that the city is served by an international airport and, although there are not many tourist sights as such, the city has a great performing arts scene.

Music and concerts will keep you entertained into the early hours in Sarh.

3. Faya-Largeau

Faya-Largeau is the largest city in the north of Chad and is one the very edge of the Sahara desert. The heat here is immense and temperatures rise above 40 degrees Celsius and regularly exceed this until October.

The annual rainfall in the city is about half an inch. The reason to visit here is the nearby rugged terrain of the Sahara desert.

If you can arrange a tour with a local guide then be prepared to be blown away by the harsh but beautiful Sahara desert.

4. Zakouma National Park

Zakouma National Park, in the south-eastern region of Chad, covers an area of roughly 3,000 square kilometers. It is regarded as one of the last places in Central Africa that is truly a refuge for wildlife and it is considered to be one of the most successful conservation efforts in the area.

The park is teeming with rare and diverse species of mammals and birds. The Tinga Camp offers accommodation for up to 490 people and is in the heart of the best game viewing area in the park.

You can enjoy your dinner whilst enjoying the ambiance of the African bush.

5. Am Timan

Am Timan is the capital city of the Salamat region in Chad. The name translates to “mother of the twins” but the origin for the name remains unknown.

The city is very poor and underdeveloped but is known for hosting the biggest and most vibrant markets in the county as well as incredible holiday celebrations.

Conflicts in the area have affected cotton plantations and processing plants in the area but if you do find yourself in the city be sure to visit its market for the best shopping experience in the country.

The city of Bol is served by its own airport and can be found in the Lac region of the country. It is mostly visited because of Lake Chad which is very close by. Lake Chad was once the largest freshwater lake in the world however it is slowly drying up and even vanished completely during the droughts of 1984.

In the dry season the lake usually occupies 10,000 square km but this can more than double in the wet season. A finger of this lake extends to Bol and is there all year.

Try to hire a boat and explore the lake to witness hippos, floating islands and rare birds.

The Ennedi region of Chadis home to the Ennedi Desert. The landscape is harsh, occupied mainly by scorpions and beetles but it is also home to some of the most beautiful and unusual rock formations in the world.

The landscape is mostly flat but jutting up regularly are large stone arches and jagged rock formations that are like natural works of arts.

The area is hard to reach and difficult to survive in, requiring carefully thought out plans and provisions, but those who venture here are rewarded with some of the most stunning natural landscapes in the world.

8. The Lakes of Ouinanga

Found in the Sahara Desert, the Lakes of Ouinanga consists of 18 lakes in total which are supplied by so-called underground fossil water.

The rain fell many thousands of years ago when the climate was much wetter than it is today. In fact the lakes now only receive 2mm of rainfall each year. Some of the lakes are salty whereas others are fresh and support life.

The lakes are Chad’s sole Unesco World Heritage Site.

9. Tibesti Mountains

The Tibesti Mountains are difficult to reach and explore but there are many things here that will reward adventurous travellers.

The highest peak here is the Emi Koussi which stands at 3,500m above sea level. The peak is actually a huge extinct volcano and only the experienced should consider climbing it.

For travellers there are many great things to do in the area such as watching camel racing, view ancient rock art and enjoy the nearby hot thermal springs.

10. Moundou

Moundou is the second largest city in Chad and lies on the Mbere River. The city is home to the Gala Brewery which has produced the most popular lager in the country since independence.

More than a million barrels of the nectar are produced each year. Tours of the brewery are available for visitors and a cold glass of the lager is a great way to cool down from the intense heat of Chad.

The city is also home of the Ngambi people.

11. Douguia

Douguia is as close as you will get to a tourist hotspot in the country of Chad. The city owes much of its tourist popularity to the Chari River on which it is situated.

A popular activity in the city is to take a tour with Boatman, a local who will take you on a river tour in a traditional canoe.

Along the way you will witness what life is like for local people as well as local bird and wild life.

Capital of the Ouaddai Region and served by its own airport, Abeche is the fourth largest city in Chad.

The city was the ancient capital of the country and has remnants littered throughout including mosques, sultan’s tombs and palace ruins. The ruins are kept safe behind a protective wall but the city has retained a lot of its ancient charm.

Whilst walking the ancient streets, you will encounter many tribespeople from the surrounding desert.

13. Aouk National Park

Aouk National Park is another of Chad’s wildlife sanctuary’s and although the park has not flourished with the same protection as Zakouma National Park it is still home to a vast and impressive mix of mammals and birdlife.

The park covers an area of around 7,500 kilometers and can be visited with a guide as part of a 4×4 safari excursion.

14. Goz Beida

Goz Beida is a town in the Sila region of Chad. The town is best visited as a base for exploration of the nearby national park of the same name.

The Goz Beida National Park occupies an area of around 3,000 square kilometers and, although it has been affected by conflicts as well as illegal poaching and other atrocities, it is a haven for both rare and endangered species.

The town of Goz Beida has its own airport which is about 3 miles away from the town itself.

14 Best Places to Visit in Chad:

• Faya-Largeau
• Zakouma National Park
• The Lakes of Ouinanga
• Tibesti Mountains
• Aouk National Park

11 Best Places to Visit in Chad

Posted on September 9, 2022 |

The Republic of Chad is a landlocked country in Western Africa that borders the countries of Sudan, Niger, and Cameroon to the north and east. To the south, it borders the Central African Republic, Cameroon, and Nigeria. In the west, it borders the Niger River.

Chad’s climate is arid and semi-arid. Between 2000 and 2016, the population declined by 10%, from 14 to 12 million. Despite this, tourism is growing. In 2016, it was estimated that 100,000 tourists visited Chad, which is up from 80,000 in 2015 and 20,000 in 2010.

The high inflow of tourists has contributed to the country’s economy by creating jobs and increasing revenue. Tourists can enjoy Chad’s diverse landscape by hiking, biking, and visiting National Parks. They can also visit the famous site of Adré.

Adré is home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the N’Djamena Great Mosque, which stands 70 meters tall. Additionally, Chad’s capital, N’Djamena, has an interesting mix of French and Arabic influences. Overall, tourists will enjoy visiting Chad.

The best time to visit Chad is from December to April. This is the dry season when roads to national parks are passable and safari camps open. Otherwise, June to August is the best time to visit. Otherwise, March and May are the hottest months of the year. We’ve put together the places you don’t want to miss. Let’s dive in.

N’Djamena, the Capital City

For tourists, N’Djamena has lots to offer. There’s an open-air market that operates from dawn until dusk, which is a good place to find souvenirs. You’ll have to sort through a lot of trash to find the items you want, but it’s also a great place to watch people go by.

The capital and largest city of Chad, N’Djamena is a beautiful place to visit. It is experiencing rapid growth and has a quaint, upscale vibe. Many of the buildings in N’Djamena are made from mud bricks, and there is thriving nightlife. In the middle of the city, a central market serves as a focal point during the day.

The city’s historical buildings are beautiful and its market is a colorful and energetic place to spend the day. The city also features a museum with items dating back to the 9th century. You can also explore the city’s lively nightlife.

There are several cultural attractions in N’Djamena, including the National Museum. It has a diverse collection of items from the country’s history, including items from ancient Africa and the Sahara. You can also see traditional art in a small museum that is situated in the center of the city.

The Chadian capital is a fascinating city that boasts a blend of prehistoric and contemporary cultural norms. The western part of the city is dominated by colonial architecture, while the eastern part is a mix of indigenous and foreign localities. During the day, the central market is the main attraction of N’Djamena.

The Ennedi Plateau, One of the Top Tourist Attractions in Chad

The Ennedi Plateau is home to a series of ancient sandstone formations. One of these formations is the Ennedi Arch, which is 120 meters high and 74 meters wide. It is also home to cave paintings that date back over a thousand years.

It is located in the north of Chad and is surrounded by neighboring Niger. It is located at an altitude of 550 meters and is surrounded by rocky hills and vas dunes. This region is a great destination for nature enthusiasts.

In this vast expanse of desert, you can find some of the oldest rock art in the world, which dates back more than 7,000 years. These images were created by ancient people, who lived in this harsh environment. Many of these paintings still stand today, thanks to the desert’s dry climate. The desert also provides a rich environment for rock climbing, which is a popular activity here.

Ennedi Plateau is a fascinating place for nature lovers. This region is home to more than a hundred species of animals and plants, including crocodiles. It is also the last home of the endangered desert crocodile. You can also see Barbary sheep, a type of antelope, and camels.

It’s also home to many rock paintings that are considered important to human history. This area features some of the world’s most unique animals and is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Chad. It has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site, and this means that visitors can enjoy the beauty and rare animals of this region.

A trip to the Ennedi Plateau is one of the best ways to experience the beauty of the Sahara. This sandstone plateau is the highest point in the Sahara, with sandstone rock formations spanning across its length. A visit here will also allow you to see the renowned Toubou camel herders corralling their charges in the folds.

The Ennedi Plateau is an incredibly unique place to visit in Chad. It has incredible rock formations that are shaped by wind and water erosion. This unique environment supports rich flora and fauna. In addition to the rock formations, the area also boasts one of the most extensive collections of rock art in Africa.

The town of Fada is one of the best places in Chad for exploring the Sahara desert. The town of Fada is located near the desert pond, or guelta, which is an important source of water in the desert. It is home to endemic crocodiles of the Sahara. Visiting Chad is best done with a local guide, who can help you get around on a budget.

Located about a thousand kilometers north of the capital, Fada is an enchanting place to visit. It has strange rock formations and several cave paintings dating back to 5,000 years ago. Another place to visit in Chad is the Tibesti Mountains, which are located in the central Sahara desert in the Bourkou-Ennedi-Tibesti region. These mountains are renowned for their ancient cave paintings.

Fada, Chad is a small town with a relatively low elevation. Despite being only a few meters above sea level, Fada is the perfect place for families to spend a family vacation. Visitors can enjoy water sports, waterfalls, and caves here, as well as enjoy scenic road trips.

The city of Fada is the capital of the Ennedi-Ouest Region of Chad and is home to many ancient cave paintings and unique rock formations. The Telegraph has called Fada one of the world’s most beautiful geological wonders.

Abeche is the cultural heart of Chad. It’s the fourth largest city in the country and is home to the ruins of former sultan palaces, mosques, and sultan’s tombs. The town was an important trading center and preserved the ruins of its past beauty. Abeche is also home to various tribespeople who come from the desert nearby.

It is well connected to the rest of Chad by air and offers a variety of things to see and do. The city is a fascinating place to visit if you’re interested in ancient history, architecture, and culture. You can visit the palace of the sultan, the mosque, and other historical buildings in the city. The city is also protected by a well-preserved wall, which provides a unique and interesting look into its past.

The fourth largest city in Chad and also the capital of the Ouaddai Region, Abeche is an ancient city with ancient tombs and fortresses. It is also a major city in Chad for cattle raising and has some of the largest markets in the country. The city also offers some of the country’s best shopping.

Tibesti Mountains

The Tibesti Mountains are one of the most beautiful tourist attractions in Chad. The highest peak is 3,445 meters above sea level and is home to the Toubou people. This region is ideal for hiking and mountaineering, and tourists can experience camel racing and ancient rock art.

You can also see ancient rock art in the mountains, which dates back up to 8,000 years. The Southeastern range of mountains also has the Aorounga Impact Crater, which was formed when a comet or asteroid hit the earth. It was later eroded by the wind from the northeast but retains its bulls-eye shape.

The Tibesti Mountains are home to the Toubou people, who live on oases found only in the mountain range. These communities harness the water from these gueltas, which are extremely variable. They graze livestock and harvest grain on the plateaus in winter and summer. The area’s high altitude keeps it cooler than the surrounding desert.

While the Tibesti Mountains are remote and difficult to reach, they offer many rewards for the most adventurous travelers. For example, if you are a climber, you can scale the tallest peak in the region, Emi Koussi, which is over 3,500 meters above sea level. The Tibesti Mountains are also home to hot thermal springs.

The Tibesti Mountains are home to a variety of plants and animals. You can observe Barbary sheep and Rhim gazelle. The Tibesti region also features beautiful rock art, which records the animal and human life that once thrived there. In addition, you can observe golden jackals.

Guelta d’Archei

The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Guelta d’Archei is a place where you can see the dromedaries, which are often brought to this oasis by herdsmen. Watch as the animals wander around in the canyon, looking for a quiet spot to drink.

It is possible to hike into the canyon to see the Guelta d’Archei. This canyon is 120 meters deep, and the walls are made up of vertical rock. The black waters are the excrement of thousands of camels over the centuries. They’re rich with fish, and crocodiles live at the gorge’s bottom.

Travel to Guelta d’Archei is a little bit difficult, as it is off the beaten path. However, a trip there is a wonderful way to experience the beauty of the Sahara desert. This oasis is surrounded by dunes and spectacular canyons. You can even spot herds of dromedaries.

Thousands of years ago, this vast region of the Sahara was lush and green, with lakes, savannas, and herds of iconic animals. Though the vast area is now a barren desert, small pockets of wildlife still occupy this region.

A journey across the barren landscape to reach Guelta d’Archei reveals some of the region’s most ancient rock paintings. Dating back to the middle Holocene, the ancient paintings depict everyday life and hunting activities. The paintings are a testament to the artists’ skill.

Guelta De Bachikele

Guelta de Bachikele is located 75 kilometers from Guelta d’Archei. This place is also one of the top places to visit in Chad for its enchanting landscape.

It is a natural oasis located in northern Tchad. It is not as famous as the Guelta d’Archei, but it is no less beautiful. The canyons are surrounded by palm trees and are a perfect place to soak your feet in. The canyons have rich vegetation and thousands of camels often stop to take a dip.

The area is home to a large number of relict species. Nile crocodiles are one of these relict species. Although these crocodiles are common in this area, their population is extremely small. This area is one of the few places in the world where they can be found.

The Guelta de Bachikele is not as famous as the Guelta d’Archei, but it is no less beautiful. The canyons are surrounded by palm trees and are a perfect place to soak your feet in. The canyons have rich vegetation and thousands of camels often stop to take a dip.

Arco de Aloba

Located in northern Chad, Arco de Aloba is the oldest city in the country. It is home to the Nagambie people and also has a large Muslim population. It is also home to a large cotton research institute and a brewery, which was established in 1964. It is one of the most important commercial establishments in the country.

It is also home to secondary schools, hospitals, and regional air transportation. While you’re there, make sure to stop by the brewery, which produces millions of barrels of beer each year. This is a great way to cool off during the Chad heat.

The Aloba Arch is another must-see when visiting Chad. This natural arch, which spans 250 feet, is the second-tallest arch in the world. Located in the remote northeastern Ennedi Plateau, this arch was shaped by a unique combination of weathering and development mechanisms millions of years ago. The arch is a fascinating and unique sight to see. It was praised by Jay Wilbur, and he wrote a famous essay about it.

Lakes of Ounianga

The Lakes of Ounianga are a series of lakes in the Sahara Desert that are situated in North-Eastern Chad. The lakes lie within a basin formed by the mountains of West Tibesti and Ennedi East. The area is considered a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The lakes of Ounianga are located in a hyper-arid region of the Sahara, where rainfall is minimal, at only 2 millimeters per year. The lakes are a result of ancient water that flows from the basin beneath the sandstone cliffs and hills. This makes them the largest freshwater lakes in an arid environment. They are the remnants of a larger lake that once occupied the basin more than 5,000 years ago. As a result of climate change, the lake’s volume dwindled and the basin became fragmented.

Once a single connected freshwater lake, the Lakes of Ounianga Serir now consist of 16 lakes of varying sizes. Many of them are covered with reeds. The evaporation rate of Lake Yoa has reached 6,000 millimeters per year, which is more than two-and-a-half times the amount of rainfall in Cologne.

The lakes are protected from salt concentrations because of a unique geological mechanism. The sand tongues in the lakes play a vital role in keeping the water clean.

Zakouma National Park

Zakouma National Park is spread across 3,000 square kilometers and is home to a wide variety of animals. Lions, leopards, rhinos, and elephants are some of the animals that can be found here. Chad is also home to many different types of birds.

The Zakouma Elephant National Park is home to one of Africa’s largest herds of elephants. The park is also home to half of the world’s population of the Kordofan giraffe, a critically endangered subspecies. This park is also a birder’s paradise, with over 400 species recorded. It’s also an important stopover for many species on their migration routes.

The park is a 3,000-square-kilometer protected area in southern Chad. It is the country’s oldest protected park, and African Parks and the Chadian government currently manage it. Visitors can view rare species of birds and mammals in this park, including the endangered black rhino.

Zakouma National Park is a wildlife haven that is not as developed as Emi Koussi but is still home to a variety of mammals and birds. You can take a guided tour of the park, or hire a 4×4 safari tour guide to explore the park on your own.

Chad National Museum

If you’re looking for a cultural break, the Chad National Museum is the perfect place to visit. Its collection includes artifacts from the Sahara, ancient Africa, and the Middle East. The museum also includes local items. The museum is popular with both locals and tourists.

The museum is located in the capital city of N’Djamena. The museum was originally established in late 1962 and moved to its current location in 2006. The museum has four basic exhibits, focusing on prehistoric, medieval, and recent human history. The museum also contains a skull of the sahelanthropus, a distant ancestor of humans that lived in the region seven million years ago.

The museum’s collection includes masks, weapons, and musical instruments. Other museums in the country include the Kotoko Museum, which houses pottery and architectural artifacts. Another museum is in Faya, which is one of the largest oasis towns in the world. You can visit the museum by car or on foot.

A visit to Chad is a great way to explore the country’s natural wonders and safari potential. From Lake Chad to the Ennedi Plateau, the country has a wide variety of animals to see, including lions, leopards, and rhinos. The country also has an interesting cultural heritage. Visitors can learn about the local crafts in Gaoui, as well as the prehistoric cave paintings in the country’s mountains.

If you’re looking for a unique vacation destination, Chad is worth a visit. This African country is known for its diverse culture and ancient history. The country is also home to the vast Plateau region, which is a huge plateau with caves, ponds, stone arches, and thousands-year-old petroglyphs. Whether you plan on going for a few days or weeks, there are many things to do in Chad.

When you visit Chad, you’ll enjoy ancient history and culture. You’ll also find an incredibly diverse geography with a vast plateau region that is home to caves, ponds, stone arches, and thousands of years of petroglyphs. Whatever your reason for visiting this country, it’s worth a trip.

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Chad has always been some place where travellers wave goodbye to their comfort zone and say hello to adventure. Even when it is safe to visit, which sadly it is currently not, the art of travel here is demanding in every sense of the word. This, though, is part of the country's allure, an opportunity to break emphatically away from all that you know, and come to a place that promises experiences, good and bad, that happen nowhere else. But if Chad is such a demanding place to travel, why ever bother? Picture sublime oases hiding in the northern deserts, stampeding herds of wildlife running through national parks and deep blues awaiting boats on Lake Chad – put simply, when Chad is accessible it's a country and an experience that can never be forgotten.

Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Zakouma National Park

This national park is a major Chadian success story. After poaching and civil war ravaged the area's wildlife, the animal population has been steadily…

Lake Chad was once one of the largest freshwater lakes in the world. Its dry season area of under 10,000 sq km can rise to 25,000 sq km at the height of…

The Tibesti Mountains remain off-limits but Ennedi desert is just as weird and wonderful. Attractions include prehistoric cave paintings, slot canyons,…

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Chad Travel Guide

Travel & Tourism

Expensive, remote, and sometimes dangerous outside the capital, Chad can be a very challenging place to visit, but by investing in the effort and taking safety precautions, travelers may gain a memorable tourism experience. Located in the heart of Africa, Chad is known for its stark expanses of savanna dotted with traditional villages. N’Djamena, Chad’s capital and largest city, is one of the only urban areas in a country still dominated by a rural lifestyle. The gorgeous Tibesti Mountains and Lake Chad are two of Chad’s most notable natural landmarks. The latter, now only 5% of its former size due to climate change and population pressures, should be on every adventure traveler’s “what to see before it’s gone” list.

What to Do in Chad

1. Lake Chad:  Once one of the world’s largest lakes, almost as large as the Caspian Sea, Lake Chad has been affected more drastically by climate change than almost any other place on the African continent or in the world. As the region’s seasonal monsoons have changed course and farmers have used more water for irrigation, Lake Chad has shrunk to 5 percent of its former size in only 35 years. Despite the changes, it remains a popular fishing and boating spot. See it because it’s beautiful, see it because it’s off the beaten track, see it for the catfish, but see it soon—because in ten years it might be gone.

2. Markets:  N’Djamena has excellent shopping for tourists, and the best place to find carpets, clothing, tropical fruit, carvings, and more is the open-air market in the historic quarter of the city. The market, which operates daily from dawn to dusk, serves as a kind of magnet for the city’s knickknacks, but to find the choicest art and the good deals, you’ll have to sift through all manner of junk. Doing so in itself is an adventure, though, and the market affords some of the city’s best people watching as locals sell, haggle, and socialize.

3. N’Djamena’s Central Mosque:  The architectural, social, and religious center of N’Djamena, the central mosque can be seen from many parts of town. In addition to the mosque itself, the complex has a library, a lecture hall, and two schools, although visitors should be able to speak Chadian Arabic if they hope to benefit much from these facilities.

4. Stroll in N’Djamena:  It may lack the tourist infrastructure of Dakar or Nairobi, but N’Djamena positively buzzes with life, and even if you spend less time at museums and monuments, you’ll learn just as much by observing the people around you. One of the best places to do that is Avenue Charles de Gaulle, lined with embassies, high-end restaurants, and Victorian homes that recall Chad’s days of European rule.

5. Tibesti Mountains:  Although travel to the Tibesti Mountains is both difficult and dangerous at this time, the area has a stark, dramatic landscape of canyons and sheer rock faces topped by forest. The Toubou tribe still lives traditionally in villages within the range but tends to be hostile to visitors.

6. Zakouma National Park:  Poaching remains a problem in the park. The Chadian government and the European Union have recently restocked it, though, and it is once again one of the best places to spot herds of elephants, as well as wildebeests, antelopes, and lions.

The dry season (September to June) is the best for travel between cities, though it’s unlikely that tourists will be doing much of that in the near future. Rebel activity also increases during that time, so the period between June and August may be the safest one for visiting, if somewhat more inconvenient.

Getting In and Around

Visas:  With the exception of those from a few neighboring African countries, Chad requires a visa and valid passport of all visitors, who must then register with the national police within 72 hours of their arrival. Visas should be arranged for in advance.

Transportation:  Except for the main roads in N’Djamena, almost all roads in Chad are unpaved and poorly maintained, but driving is the only method of transportation available outside the capital. Roadside bandits target drivers, particularly those in foreign cars, and there are few gas stations or repair shops. Most of N’Djamena is accessible by foot or car, although a few taxis hang around the wealthier parts of town.

Safety and Security

Concerned about your safety as you plan travel to Chad? We at Africa.com, together with our friends, family and colleagues, travel extensively throughout the continent. Here are the resources we consult when thinking of our safety in Chad:

•  UK Government Chad Travel Advice Guidance

Africa.com comment: Very timely and frequently updated. Perspective assumes that you ARE going to travel to Chad, and seeks to give you good guidance so that you understand the risks and are well informed.

•  U.S. State Department Travel Advisory on Chad

Africa.com comment: Can sometimes be considered as overly conservative and discourage travel altogether to destinations that many reasonable people find acceptably secure. On the other hand, they have the resources of the CIA to inform them, so they know things that the rest of us don’t know. See what they have to say about Chad.

Local Advice

1. Chad is home to more than 200 indigenous ethnic groups (many with their own languages), and a dialect called Chadian Arabic is used the most often as the lingua franca. Visitors can usually get by in French, especially in N’Djamena. Learn at least a few phrases before you go.

2. The majority of Chad’s population is Muslim, although social conventions, especially for women’s dress and behavior, are generally more relaxed than in North and West Africa. Make sure to eat with your right hand only; many Chadians, Muslim or not, consider it offensive to use one’s left hand, and the issue is almost certain to come up since most locals eat with their hands except in upscale restaurants.

3. As in Cameroon, the Republic of the Congo, the Central African Republic, Gabon, and Equatorial Guinea, the official currency in Chad is the Central African CFA franc, not to be confused with the West African CFA franc. Credit cards are rarely accepted. You can change money at the airport or the larger banks in N’Djamena.

4. Officially, all photographing in Chad requires a government permit. While this rule is unlikely to be enforced, particularly with foreigners, police may use it as an excuse to confiscate your camera or demand a bribe. If you plan on staying in Chad for a long period of time and taking many photos, you might consider getting the permit.

5. Especially during the wet season, malaria can be a major problem in Chad. Take antimalarial medications with you, along with insect repellent and mosquito netting, as many hotels do not have the latter.

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