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Chad travel guide
Sahara arches, desert lakes and a reborn wildlife park.
Chad is a large landlocked country stretching from the Sahara in the north to savanna in the south. Its highlights are the sandstone arches and canyons of the Ennedi Plateau, the blue lakes of Ounianga and Zakouma National Park, known for its recovering elephant herds.
Travel tools
Getting there
N'Djamena International Airport is the main entry point, with connections via Paris, Addis Ababa, Istanbul and regional hubs. Land borders exist but are often closed or unsafe.
Best time to visit: Nov–Feb for the desert; Feb–May for wildlife in Zakouma.
Tougher months: April-June for intense heat, and July-September when rains flood roads in the south.
Weather by month in N'Djamena
- 33°J
- 36°F
- 39°M
- 41°A
- 40°M●
- 38°J●
- 34°J●●
- 31°A●●●
- 34°S●●
- 37°O●
- 36°N
- 34°D
Average daytime highs in °C; dots show how rainy the month is (one dot dry, three dots wet).
Time zone: Africa/Ndjamena. Compare with your local time.
Visas: in our passport dataset, 16 of 198 other passports can enter Chad without arranging a visa first (visa-free or visa on arrival), 182 need an e-visa or electronic authorisation, and 0 need a visa in advance. Check your passport.
Background: Visa policy of Chad (Wikipedia).
Official advisory: Level 4: Do Not Travel (U.S. Department of State, updated 2026-04-28). Read the advisory.
Source and more: Chad travel facts on RoamSun
Stay
Most trips to Chad are based around Ennedi Massif, Zakouma National Park or Lakes of Ounianga. Pick a base for your main interest, then add day trips rather than moving hotels every night.
Typical daily budget: about US$60–100 for a backpacker and US$120–220 mid-range, per person.
Source: RoamSun Chad page · Browse hotel guides
Connect
Plug types: C, D, E, F. Voltage: 220 V. Check your own devices on the plug and currency checker.
Calling code: +235.
Mobile data: read the travel eSIM setup guide before you fly so the plan is installed and ready on landing.
Source: Advinne eSIM guide · RoamSun
Do
- Ennedi Massif (Northeast · desert & rock art): A UNESCO-listed sandstone plateau of natural arches, canyons and prehistoric art.
- Zakouma National Park (Southeast · wildlife): A well-managed park famous for big herds, elephants and birdlife in the dry season.
- Lakes of Ounianga (North · Sahara lakes): A UNESCO-listed group of desert lakes with striking colours.
- Tibesti Mountains (Far north · volcanoes): The Sahara's highest mountains, with huge craters and hot springs, in a very remote area.
- N'Djamena (Capital · city): A riverside capital with markets, a national museum and the meeting of the Chari and Logone rivers.
- Guelta d'Archei (Ennedi · oasis): A dramatic canyon water hole where camels gather each day.
- Lake Chad (West · lake): A historic lake whose size has shrunk dramatically, surrounded by fishing and herding communities.
Things to do
- Explore the Ennedi Massif. Drive through a maze of sandstone arches, pillars and canyons that look like an open-air sculpture park.
- See camels at Guelta d'Archei. Watch herds of camels gather to drink at a deep canyon pool hidden among towering cliffs.
- Go on safari in Zakouma. Spot huge buffalo herds, elephants and lions in one of Central Africa's great conservation success stories.
- Marvel at the Ounianga lakes. Find a chain of blue, green and red lakes fed by ancient groundwater in the middle of the Sahara.
- Discover ancient rock art. Study paintings of cattle and wild animals left by Saharan herders thousands of years ago.
- Browse N'Djamena's Grand Market. Wander stalls of spices, fabrics and crafts in the capital's busiest bazaar.
- Visit the Chad National Museum. Learn about Toumaï and the country's many cultures in N'Djamena.
- Watch a Saharan sunset. Camp under vast skies in the desert north for unforgettable stars.
Source: full Chad guide on RoamSun
Eat and drink
- Boule – millet or sorghum dough served with sauce
- Daraba – okra and vegetable stew
- Kissar – thin sorghum pancakes
- Grilled fish – fresh from the Chari and Logone rivers
Source: RoamSun Chad guide
Money and safety
Currency: Central African CFA franc (XAF). Currency and plug checker.
Tipping: Not expected; tips for guides and drivers are appreciated.
Emergency numbers: 17 police · 18 fire.
- The currency is the Central African CFA franc.
- Chad is largely cash-based; ATMs are scarce outside N'Djamena and cards are rarely accepted.
- Many governments advise against travel to large parts of Chad, including border regions – check your government's latest travel advice before planning a trip.
- Desert travel requires experienced guides, permits and fully equipped vehicles.
Source: RoamSun Chad facts
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Chad?
Nov–Feb for the desert; Feb–May for wildlife in Zakouma. Desert in the north, hot semi-arid in the middle and tropical in the south, with rains Jun–Sep.
What time zone is Chad in?
Chad uses Africa/Ndjamena.
Do I need a visa for Chad?
It depends on your passport. In our dataset 16 of 198 other passports can enter without a prior visa, 182 need an e-visa or eTA and 0 need a visa in advance. Use the visa checker and confirm with the official government source.
What plug and voltage does Chad use?
Chad uses plug type C, D, E, F at 220 V. Check whether your devices are dual-voltage before you plug in.
What is the calling code for Chad?
The international calling code for Chad is +235.
Do you tip in Chad?
Not expected; tips for guides and drivers are appreciated.
What is the emergency number in Chad?
17 police · 18 fire.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Chad?
Traffic drives on the right.