Chad travel guide
Chad is a large, landlocked country that runs from the Sahara in the north through the Sahel to wooded savannah in the south. It receives very few tourists, but its desert landscapes, from the sandstone arches of the Ennedi to the volcanic Tibesti, are among the most striking in Africa, and Zakouma National Park has become a notable wildlife destination. It suits experienced travellers on organised trips; check your government's current travel advice before you go.
Places worth the trip
Ennedi Plateau
A UNESCO World Heritage site in the north-east, where wind and water have carved sandstone into arches, pillars and canyons. The area holds thousands of rock paintings and engravings, and the huge Aloba Arch is one of the largest natural arches in the world.
Guelta d'Archei
A permanent pool deep in a canyon of the Ennedi, where camel herders water their animals among the rocks. A small, isolated population of crocodiles has survived here, a remnant of a time when the Sahara was much wetter.
Zakouma National Park
Savannah and seasonal wetlands in the south-east, home to elephants, buffalo, giraffes, lions and large flocks of birds. Protection efforts over recent years have helped elephant numbers recover, and the park is best visited in the dry season.
Lakes of Ounianga
A chain of lakes in the middle of the desert, fed by ancient groundwater. Some are salty and some fresh, in shades from blue to green and red, and together they are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Tibesti Mountains
A remote volcanic range in the far north with craters, hot springs and Emi Koussi, the highest peak in the Sahara. It is home to the Toubou people and is very hard to reach, so it is visited only on specialist expeditions.
N'Djamena
The capital lies where the Chari and Logone rivers meet, opposite Cameroon. Its central market, riverside and the National Museum, which displays archaeological finds, give a sense of the country's mix of Arab and African cultures.
Lake Chad
A shallow lake shared by Chad, Cameroon, Niger and Nigeria, important for fishing, farming and herding. Its size changes greatly with the seasons and it has shrunk dramatically since the 1960s.
Interesting facts about Chad
- A skull found in the Djurab Desert in 2001 and nicknamed Toumaï, about seven million years old, is one of the oldest known fossils linked to the human family tree.
- The Bodélé Depression, an old lakebed in northern Chad, is one of the largest single sources of dust on earth, and its winds carry mineral dust across the Atlantic.
- More than a hundred languages are spoken in Chad, though French and Arabic are the official languages.
- Emi Koussi in the Tibesti range is the highest mountain in the Sahara.
- The Lakes of Ounianga sit in one of the driest parts of the Sahara, yet some of them have not dried up in thousands of years.
Best time to visit Chad
The cooler dry season, roughly from November to February, is the most comfortable time to visit, especially for desert trips to the Ennedi and Ounianga. From March to May temperatures become extremely hot. The rainy season in the south runs roughly from June to September and can make roads impassable; Zakouma is usually closed during the rains and opens again in the dry season. Confirm dates with your organiser and check your government's travel advice before booking.
Getting around
International flights arrive in N'Djamena. Distances are huge and roads outside the main towns are often unpaved or simply desert tracks, so trips to the Ennedi, Ounianga and Tibesti are run as expeditions in four-wheel-drive vehicles with experienced drivers, fuel and supplies. Zakouma is often reached by light aircraft during its season. Permits are usually needed for travel outside the capital; organisers normally arrange them.
Practical details
- Capital
- N'Djamena
- Currency
- Central African CFA franc (XAF)
- Languages
- French, Arabic
- Plug types
- C, D, E, F
- Voltage
- 220 V, 50 Hz
- Emergency
- 17 police, 18 fire; services are limited, so keep your embassy's and organiser's contacts to hand and check numbers locally
- Driving side
- right
- Tipping
- Not formally expected, but tipping guides, drivers and camp staff is customary on organised trips.
Staying online in Chad
Mobile coverage is available in N'Djamena and larger towns, though data speeds can be slow. Across the desert north, in the parks and between towns there is little or no signal, so expedition teams often carry satellite phones. Wi-Fi is limited to some hotels and offices in the capital. Download offline maps and translation packs, carry a power bank, and tell people at home when you will be out of contact. Install an eSIM before you fly and switch it on when you land so you have data while you are in range.
Chad eSIM plans
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1GB eSIM Data for 3 Days for Chad, V2
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Unlimited eSIM Data for 1 Day for Chad, V2
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Unlimited Plus eSIM Data for 1 Day for Chad, V2
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Useful apps
- Google Maps: Download offline maps of N'Djamena before you arrive; for desert routes, rely on your guides.
- Google Translate: Download French and Arabic for offline use to help with signs and conversations.
- WhatsApp: Widely used for keeping in touch with drivers, guides and organisers when there is signal.
- XE Currency: Convert CFA franc amounts; cash is essential, as cards are rarely accepted.
Chad travel FAQs
Yes, a small number of travellers visit each year, mostly on organised desert expeditions or trips to Zakouma National Park. Check your government's current travel advice before planning, and use an experienced operator.
The park is generally open during the dry season and closes during the rains, when access becomes impossible. Exact dates vary from year to year, so confirm with the park or your operator.
In N'Djamena and some towns, yes, though speeds vary. In the desert and national parks there is usually no signal. A travel eSIM can give you data where networks reach; download offline maps and carry a power bank.
Yes. CFA francs in cash are needed for almost everything, and ATMs and card payments are rare outside a few places in the capital. Ask your organiser how much to carry.