Discover the Wonders of Chad: Nature, Culture, and Adventure
Chad is very far off the beaten track for tourists, with its flare-ups of political conflict and lack of infrastructure presenting challenges to would-be visitors. The country has much to offer, though, from the natural wonders of Lake Chad and the Sahara Desert to the intriguing tribal cultures that thrive throughout the country.
People have lived in the Chadian basin since around 700 BC and the region is still home to over 200 different ethnic groups. French and Arabic are the official languages, while Islam is the most widely practiced religion.
Most visitors merely pass through the capital, N’Djemena, but the nearby village of Gaoui is worth visiting for its selection of traditional pottery and architecture. The palm-fringed oases of the Sahara Desert (home to breathtaking rock formations and prehistoric cave paintings), the savannah region and the wetland around Lake Chad make for strikingly different wildlife adventures, and showcase some of Africa’s most iconic landscapes. Animal lovers can certainly look forward to seeing the continent’s most representative species, such as lions, leopards, giraffes, wildebeest and herds of elephants. Indeed, Zakouma National Park is one of the best game reserves in central Africa.
As a poor and often unstable country, Chad is a demanding destination, but adventurous travellers are sure to enjoy it.
Key Facts
- Language:
- French and Arabic are the official languages of Chad. English is not widely spoken.
- Passport/Visa:
Passengers with a pre-organised Entry Authorisation letter issued by Chad’s authorities can obtain a visa on arrival. Along with a valid passport, visitors arriving from a country where yellow fever is a risk require a vaccination and proof of onward travel. Visitors planning to travel outside of N’Djamena may need a permit.
As immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources, it is highly recommended that passports have at least six months’ validity remaining after their intended date of departure.
- Currency:
The Central African CFA franc (XAF) is the official currency of Chad (along with five other central African countries). It is divided into 100 smaller units called centimes.
Chad is a cash economy and credit cards are seldom accepted. Foreign currency can be exchanged at a few banks and hotels in the capital city, but the process is expensive, time consuming and unreliable. There are also very few reliable ATMs in Chad.
- Electricity:
- Electrical outlets in Chad usually supply electricity at 220 volts, 50Hz. European two-pin plugs with round or flat pins are standard.
Overview
Chad has some truly remarkable natural attractions and great potential as a safari destination, with places such as Lake Chad, the Ennedi Plateau and Zakouma National Park within its borders. Animal lovers who’ve longed to escape to Africa can keep company with some of the continent’s most iconic species, including elephants, lions, leopards and rhinos, and the local culture is rich and remains largely unchanged by time. Gaoui village is a good first stop for culture seekers, as it’s a tremendous repository of traditional crafts and architecture. The Sahara Desert is a must for anyone interested in seeing Chad’s prehistoric cave paintings.
Travellers should note that parts of the country are dangerous and poor infrastructure makes Chad difficult to navigate. Even so, anyone who wants to get off the beaten track in Africa will be delighted with its charms.
Climate in Chad
Chad has three distinct climate zones. The south is in the equatorial rain belt and has a tropical climate, with temperatures that can climb to 104°F (40°C) and a lot of rainfall. The central region, including N’Djamena and Lake Chad, is arid and can get swelteringly hot, and temperatures can sometimes exceed 113°F (45°C). The Sahara Desert dominates the north, where days are extremely hot and nights are brutally cold.
A tropical weather system known as the intertropical front crosses Chad from south to north every year. It ushers in the wet season and lasts from May to October in the south, and from June to September in the central region, coinciding with the hottest time of the year. The north gets very little rain.
The best time to visit Chad is in winter and spring (between November and May), when it’s cooler and there’s hardly any rainfall. During these months, average temperatures are comfortable and range between 68°F (20°C) and 77°F (25°C). During the rainy season, it’s often extremely difficult to traverse the country’s roads, very few of which are tarred. Game viewing is best done during the dry season, as animals are generally more visible.
Health Notes when travelling to Chad
Malaria is fairly common in Chad so all visitors should take precautions. Vaccinations are recommended for hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid and meningococcus, and visitors arriving from a country where yellow fever is a risk will need a vaccination.
Travellers should also be up to date on vaccinations for tetanus-diphtheria, MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), and polio. Those who may be at risk of receiving animal bites should consider a rabies vaccination. HIV Aids is more prevalent than in the U.S., and visitors are advised to take precautions where necessary.
Travellers should ensure they have comprehensive health insurance as medical facilities in Chad are extremely limited and serious conditions are likely to require evacuation.
Medicines are also in short supply. Visitors should bring any medication they need with them in its original packaging, along with a signed and dated note from a doctor detailing what the medication is and why they need it. Travellers should drink only bottled, filtered, boiled or chemically treated water.
Safety Notes when travelling to Chad
Reports show that the number of car-jackings on roads outside N’Djemena has increased, including during daylight hours, and armed robberies are common in some residential areas. Foreigners are sometimes targeted. Travellers should avoid isolated or less developed areas, travelling alone at night, and carrying large sums of money, jewellery or other valuables.
There are around 600 000 refugees in the east, south, and Lake (western) regions respectively, with banditry and violent crime posing problems in these parts of the country. The area bordering Libya has many landmines; the northern regions of Borkou, Ennedi and Tibesti are still unsafe.
Customs in Chad
Chad is a predominantly Muslim country. Visitors should respect local laws, customs and traditions, and ensure that their actions don’t offend other cultures or beliefs, especially during the holy month of Ramadan. Same-sex sexual activity is a criminal offence, with penalties that range from three months to two years in prison and a fine of between 50,000 and 500,000 CFA francs; photographing military sites, government buildings and airports is prohibited.
Duty Free in Chad
Visitors can import 400 cigarettes, 125 cigars and 500g of tobacco (women may only import cigarettes), three bottles of wine and one bottle of spirits.
Doing Business in Chad
Chadians appreciate ‘getting know’ potential partners before launching into concrete discussions, so meetings usually begin with polite questions about family health and personal wellbeing. Foreigners should be patient and persistent, and women should dress conservatively to satisfy cultural sensitivities. Chadians ordinarily wear business or traditional attire in professional settings. Some knowledge of French is vital as visitors may struggle to find professional translators.
Communication in Chad
The international access code is +235 and the outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom). Mobile phone coverage is good to variable around N’Djamena and the southwest and patchy to non-existent in other regions. Internet access is limited, especially outside the capital, where speeds are slow and connection is difficult to establish.
Tipping in Chad
Service charges aren’t usually included in restaurants and tips of about 10 percent are appreciated. Taxi fares should be rounded up if the service is good.
Passport/Visa Note
Passengers with a pre-organised Entry Authorisation letter issued by Chad’s authorities can obtain a visa on arrival. Along with a valid passport, visitors arriving from a country where yellow fever is a risk require a vaccination and proof of onward travel. Visitors planning to travel outside of N’Djamena may need a permit.
As immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources, it is highly recommended that passports have at least six months’ validity remaining after their intended date of departure.
Entry Requirements
- Entry requirements for Americans:
US citizens must have a valid passport and a visa to enter Chad.
- Entry requirements for Canadians:
Canadian citizens must have a valid passport and a visa to enter Chad.
- Entry requirements for UK nationals:
UK citizens must have a valid passport and a visa to enter Chad.
- Entry requirements for Australians:
Australian citizens must have a valid passport and a visa to enter Chad.
- Entry requirements for Irish nationals:
Irish citizens must have a valid passport and a visa to enter Chad.
- Entry requirements for New Zealanders:
New Zealand citizens must have a valid passport and a visa to enter Chad.
- Entry requirements for South Africans:
South African citizens must have a valid passport and a visa to enter Chad.
Chad Embassies
- In the United States:
Chad Embassy, Washington DC. Tel: (202) 462 4009.
- In Canada:
Chad Consulate, Ottawa. Tel: (613) 236 4861.
- In the United Kingdom:
Embassy of Chad, Brussels, Belgium (also responsible for the UK): +32 2216 3526
Foreign Embassies in Chad
- American Embassy
US Embassy, N’Djamena. Tel: (235) 2251 70 09.
- Canadian Embassy
Canadian Embassy, Khartoum (also responsible for Chad). Tel: (249) 156 550 500.
- British Embassy
UK Honorary Consul, N’Djamena. Tel: (235) 9054 64 47.
- South African Embassy
South African Embassy, N’Djamena. Tel: (235) 2252 4006.
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