Chad
Chad is one of Africa's least-visited countries, and its sights are on an epic scale: the sandstone arches and canyons of the Ennedi Massif, the desert lakes of Ounianga deep in the Sahara, and Zakouma, where elephant herds have recovered from poaching. Almost every visit is an organised expedition with a specialist operator, and it is priced accordingly.
Overview
Chad straddles the Sahara and the Sahel: a vast, landlocked country whose north is sand sea and volcanic mountains and whose south is wooded savannah watered by the Chari and Logone rivers. Visitors come for two things. Zakouma National Park, in the south-east, is reached by charter flight or a long drive from N'Djamena for game drives among elephants, buffalo and Kordofan giraffe. The north is a separate expedition of one to two weeks by 4x4, crossing the Ennedi Massif's arches and gueltas towards the lakes of Ounianga and camping wild under some of the clearest skies in Africa.
Nothing here is cheap or casual. Tourism infrastructure is minimal outside N'Djamena's business hotels and Zakouma's camps, permits are typically needed for travel and photography, and distances are huge, so specialist operators handle logistics, guides and paperwork. Expect long days on rough tracks, simple bush camps and frequent checkpoints. The payoff is solitude: you may see no other travellers for days in the Ennedi, and Zakouma's dry-season buffalo herds can number in the thousands. It suits experienced Africa travellers with a generous budget and flexible plans; read the FCDO travel advice before committing to anything.
Map of Chad
Top 5 highlights
- 1Wildlife
Zakouma National Park
Once devastated by ivory poachers, Zakouma has been managed by African Parks since 2010 and its elephant herds are growing again. Dry-season game drives reveal lions, huge buffalo herds, Kordofan giraffe and spectacular birdlife around shrinking pools.
- 2Nature
Ennedi Massif
A UNESCO-listed sandstone plateau in the north-east, eroded into arches, pillars and canyons. The Aloba Arch, one of the world's tallest natural arches, and thousands of ancient rock paintings of cattle and camels are the stand-outs.
- 3Nature
Guelta d'Archei
A deep, shaded waterhole in an Ennedi canyon where camel herds come to drink each day. It shelters one of the last relict populations of crocodiles in the Sahara, survivors from a time when the desert was green.
- 4Nature
Lakes of Ounianga
A UNESCO-listed chain of eighteen lakes in the hyper-arid Sahara, fed by ancient groundwater and coloured in shades from deep blue to green. They lie in two groups, Ounianga Kebir and Ounianga Serir, days from the nearest city.
- 5Adventure
Tibesti Mountains
The Sahara's highest range, a volcanic massif topped by Emi Koussi at 3,415 m, with vast calderas such as the Trou au Natron. Reaching it requires a long, fully supported expedition and careful planning.
Biggest cities
N'Djamena
The capital sits where the Chari meets the Logone, opposite Cameroon. It is a functional base rather than a destination, but the Grand Marché and riverside fish grills fill a day.
Moundou
Chad's second city and the economic hub of the greener south, built on cotton and home to the brewery that makes Gala beer; few visitors come, but it shows a very different Chad.
Abéché
The old capital of the Ouaddaï sultanate in the east, with mud-brick lanes and a busy market; today it is chiefly a humanitarian hub and a staging post for travel in the east.
Chad has not held a census since 2009, so these are rough estimates. Abéché and Sarh were almost level at that census (about 98,000 and 97,000), and either may now rank third.
When to go to Chad
Best time: Nov–Mar.
Average climate in N'Djamena
Festivals & events
- AugIndependence Day
Chad marks independence from France on 11 August 1960 with parades in N'Djamena; it falls in the rainy season, so pair it only with a city stay.
- Sep–OctGerewol
Wodaabe herders gather at the end of the rains for days of dancing, in which young men paint their faces and compete to be chosen by women. Specialist operators run trips from N'Djamena.
How much does Chad cost?
Estimates per person per day, excluding flights. Prices vary by season and city.
Food to try
Daraba
A thick southern stew of okra, tomato, aubergine and sweet potato, enriched with peanut butter and usually eaten with boule.
Boule (aiysh)
A stiff porridge of millet or sorghum, shaped into a mound and torn by hand to scoop up okra or meat sauces; Chad's everyday staple.
Karkanji
A deep-red infusion of hibiscus flowers, sweetened and often spiced with ginger or cloves, served chilled from street stalls as relief from the heat.
Getting around
There is no railway and scheduled domestic flights are scarce, so visitors rely on operators. Zakouma's camps arrange charter flights or long road transfers from N'Djamena, and trips to the north use convoys of 4x4s with drivers, cooks and guides. Buses and bush taxis run between the main towns. In N'Djamena, shared taxis and motorbike taxis are cheap; agree the fare before setting off.
Practical information
- Plugs & voltage
- CDEF220V — bring a UK-to-C/D/E/F adapter
- Emergency numbers
Source: FCDO “Getting help”
- Dialling code
- +235
- Time zone
- UTC+1 (standard time)
- Tap water
- Not safe — drink bottled or treated water
- Driving
- On the right
- Tipping
- Not expected in local eateries; in hotels and restaurants round up or add about 10%, and tip drivers, cooks and guides at the end of an expedition.
- Etiquette
- Never photograph soldiers, government buildings, airports or bridges, and ask before photographing people. Dress modestly, greet elders first, use your right hand, and allow time for lengthy greetings before getting down to business.
- Main airports
- N'Djamena International Airport (NDJ), N'Djamena
Visas & entry for Chad
Shown for a British passport.
Visa required — apply before you go
You must have a visa to visit Chad.
From the UK government's FCDO entry requirements for British passport holders — read the full page for passport validity, permits and exceptions.
Health & vaccinations
- Recommended for most travellers
- Hepatitis ATetanusTyphoid
- Sometimes advised — depends on your trip, activities and health
- ChikungunyaDengueHepatitis BMeaslesMeningococcal diseasePolioRabiesTuberculosisYellow fever
- Yellow fever certificate
- A yellow fever certificate is only required if you arrive from (or transit through) a country with yellow fever risk — not if you fly direct from the UK. There is a risk of yellow fever in parts of the country — vaccination may be advised.
- Malaria
- High risk of malaria
- There is a high risk of malaria in Chad: antimalarial tablets recommended.
Source: TravelHealthPro (National Travel Health Network and Centre), checked 21 October 2026. This is a summary, not medical advice.
Public holidays in Chad
The next 12 months. Banks, offices and some sights may close, and transport and hotels get busy around these dates.
| Sun 1 Nov 2026 | All Saints' Day |
| Sat 28 Nov 2026 | Republic Day |
| Tue 1 Dec 2026 | Freedom and Democracy Day |
| Fri 25 Dec 2026 | Christmas Day |
| Fri 1 Jan 2027 | New Year's Day |
| Mon 8 Mar 2027 | International Women's Day |
| Tue 9 Mar 2027 | Eid al-Fitr (date may shift) |
| Mon 29 Mar 2027 | Easter Monday |
| Sat 1 May 2027 | Labour Day |
| Sun 16 May 2027 | Eid al-Adha (date may shift) |
| Wed 11 Aug 2027 | Independence Day |
| Sat 14 Aug 2027 | Prophet's Birthday (date may shift) |
National holidays only. Dates based on lunar calendars can move by a day or two depending on official announcements.
Useful phrases in French
| English | French | Say it |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Bonjour | bon-ZHOOR |
| Thank you | Merci | mair-SEE |
| Please | S'il vous plaît | seel voo PLAY |
| Excuse me | Excusez-moi | ex-KOO-zay MWAH |
| How much is this? | C'est combien ? | say kom-BYAN |
Know before you go
- Bring euros in cash: the CFA franc is pegged to the euro at 655.957, euros change easily, and card payments and working ATMs are scarce outside N'Djamena's top hotels.
- Photography usually requires a permit, which your operator can arrange, and pointing a camera at anything official can land you in serious trouble; when in doubt, put it away.
- Book through an operator with real experience in Chad, check the FCDO travel advice, and build in spare days: flights, permits and desert crossings rarely run to schedule.
Chad travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Chad?
The best time to visit Chad is generally Nov–Mar. Peak months are January, February, March, November and December. Average highs in N'Djamena range from 31°C to 42°C across the year.
How much does a trip to Chad cost per day?
Roughly £70 a day on a tight budget, £220 mid-range and £550+ for comfortable travel, per person including accommodation, food and local transport. Flights are extra.
What currency is used in Chad?
Central African CFA franc (XAF).
What plug type does Chad use?
Type C, D, E and F sockets at 220V. UK visitors need a travel adapter — UK Type G plugs will not fit.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Chad?
Traffic drives on the right in Chad, unlike the UK.
Is tap water safe to drink in Chad?
Not safe — drink bottled or treated water.
Do I need a visa for Chad?
For British passport holders, the FCDO says: You must have a visa to visit Chad. Entry rules change, so check the official FCDO entry requirements for Chad before you travel: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/chad/entry-requirements
What vaccinations do I need for Chad?
TravelHealthPro recommends Hepatitis A, Tetanus and Typhoid for most travellers, with Chikungunya, Dengue, Hepatitis B, Measles, Meningococcal disease and Polio sometimes advised depending on your trip. Make sure routine UK vaccinations are up to date and see a travel health professional 6–8 weeks before you go.
