Travelling

Chad: Travelling

Entry Requirements

Passport and Visa Service: Visa information for Chad

For Further Information: Diplomatic Missions of Chad

Check IATA Travel Website for visa requirements and health advices.

Organising Your Trip

Means of Transport Recommended in Town

Recommendation: Within the capital N’Djamena there are several public transport options. Buses are particularly cheap (from XAF 50 to 150), but they are often in really poor conditions. Taxis fares are normally fixed, with a rate of XAF 3,000 during the day and XAF 5,000 at night. Moto-taxis are also available in most neighbourhoods, with fares ranging from XAF 250 to 1,000. Drivers often expect a tip (around 10% of the fare).
Some car rental services are available, but they are generally really expensive.
Maps of Urban Networks: Via Michelin (detailed map of N'Djamena)

Transportation From Airport to City Centre:

Airport	Distance	Taxi	Bus	Train	Car Rental
N'Djamena International Airport (NDJ)	3.5 km/2.2 miles	XAF 3,000/10 min	N/A	N/A	Yes

Means of Transport Recommended in the Rest of the Country

Recommendation: To leave the capital N’Djamena, visitors will need a written permission from the government, that can be obtained by visiting Chad with a locally recognized entity (either tourist or work-related). Nevertheless, the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office advise against all travel to much of Chad, and against all but essential travel to the remainder of the country.
Some buses connect major towns, however they are in poor conditions and unreliable, so it is advised to avoid them. There are no usable rail links, while the new Tchadia Airline operates some routes within the country’s territory.

Airlines

Name	Type	Domestic Flights	International Flights
Tchadia Airlines (only domestic)	National	Yes	No
Ethiopian Airlines		No	Yes
Air France		No	Yes
Turkish Airlines		No	Yes

You Can Consult The EU Air Safety List. Look Also at the rating of the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Travelling By Yourself

Recommendation: If an authorization to leave the capital is granted by local authorities, visitors travelling around the country may be often stopped by soldiers at the numerous checkpoints.
Roads are in really poor conditions and are typically unpaved (there is only one paved road, which runs from Massakory in the north through N'Djamena on to Guelendeng, Bongor, Kelo, and Moundou), so a 4-wheel drive is recommended. Drivers should exercise caution and moderate speeds even while on the main roads. It is highly recommended not to drive at night - as “coupeurs de route” (road bandits) are common – and to never stop unless strictly necessary. Petrol is expensive and there are not many petrol stations available. Driving is on the right side and an international driving permit is required.
Road Maps: Detailed road map of Chad
Ezilon - Chad road network
Find an Itinerary: Via Michelin Chad

Visiting

Different Forms of Tourism

Nature: The Zakouma National Park, in the south-eastern part of the country, is considered Chad's main attraction. The park has an area of 3,000 square km and is home to a variety of 44 species of large animals, and many species of birds. According to National Geographics, in 2016 more than 5,000 locals stayed at the park's camps. The number of foreign tourist is however very limited, as most foreign ministries suggest not to visit Chad due to safety reasons.
The Ennedi Plateau is also famous. It constists of a sandstone bulwark located in the middle of the Sahara, with peculiar geological structures like towers, pillars, bridges and arches. The plateau covers an area of around 60,000 square km. Some petroglyphs can be found in Niola Doa. Nevertheless, the UK foreign ministry advices against all travel to the area.

Tourism Organisations: Ministry of Tourism Development, of Culture and Craftmanship

Living Conditions

Health and Safety

Health Precautions: There are no specific vaccination requirements to enter Chad (except for vaccine against yellow fever which is recommended for travelers 9 months of age or older visiting areas south of the Sahara Desert). Nevertheless, WHO and foreign ministries of various countries recommend the following vaccines before entering the country: Hepatitis A, Malaria, Typhoid, Hepatitis B and Rabies, Polio. Vaccination against Measles is also required.
For Further Information on Sanitary Conditions: CDC - Health Information for Travelers to Chad
For Further Information on Safety Conditions: U.S. Department of State - Chad Travel Information
Government of Canada - Chad Travel Advice
OSAC - Chad Crime and Safety Report

Emergency Numbers

Police	17
Fire	18
Ambulance	2251-4242

Time Difference and Climate

Time and Time Difference: It is %T:%M %A In N’Djamena (GMT+1)
Summer Time Period: There are no daylight saving time clock changes in Chad

Map of the Time Zone

Time zone

Type of Climate: Chad territory is very vast, thus the climate can change significantly according to the region. In general, the country has a hot and tropical climate. While in the north rainfall is limited, the southern and central areas have rainy periods brought from the so-called “the inter-tropical front” (from May to October and June to September, respectively). Winter is dry everywhere in the country.
Average temperatures in the capital N’Djamena vary from 23°C in January to 32.7°C in April and May.
For Further Information: Climate Zone - Chad

Average Annual Temperatures and Rainfall

Climate

Eating

Food Specialties: Chadian cuisine is in the tradition of the Sahara region. Staple foods include grains such as millet, sorghum, and rice, with okra and cassava among the most commonly eaten vegetables. Plates are generally served on common plates, with men and women often eating in different areas.
Traditional dishes include:
Daraba: prepared with okra, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, greens, peanut butter (or peanut paste), and several other possible ingredients
Jarret de boeuf: beef meat stewed for at least two hours
Dried, salted and smoked fish: especially tilapia (more abundant in southern Chad)
Kisser: a sorghum-based pancake
Fungasoo: deep-fried cheese balls
Esh: boiled millet flour served with a moulah sauce.
Drinks: Chadians consume large quantities of tea (especially the Karkanji type, a red tea made from dried hibiscus flowers with ginger, clove, sugar and cinnamon). Liquor and millet beer (known as bili-bili ) are consumed among non-Muslim Chadians (mostly in south of the country and in the capital’s area).
Dietary Restrictions: Muslims (more than half of the population) normally do not eat pork meat (unless it is “halal”, which means it is permissible or lawful in traditional Islamic law) nor drink alcohol.
The drinking age for alcohol is 18.
Among traditional beliefs there is the one according to which giving eggs to children may turn them into thieves in adulthood; and that pregnant women who eat too much food would deliver fat babies.
Generally, meals are served on common plates and are taken seated on a mat on the floor. People's feet should not point toward other guests or the food. Men and women eat separately.

Paying

Domestic Currency: CFA Franc BEAC
ISO Code: XAF
To Obtain Domestic Currency: Most of the banks in major towns have ATMs. Currency exchance offices can be found in major airports and in bigger cities. USD and EUR are generally easier to exchange compared to GBP and other foreign currencies.
Travellers' cheques can be exchanged in a few banks in N'Djaména.
Possible Means of Payment: Chad has a cash-based economy. Credit cards are generally not accepted as methods of payment. Some of the major tourist hotels accept credit cards.

Speaking

Official Language: French, Arabic
Other Languages Spoken: There are more than 120 different languages and dialects spoken in Chad. Chadian Arabic (also known as Shuwa Arabic) is the lingua franca in the country.
Business Language: French
Getting Some Knowledge: Visit the website of Omniglot to learn the basics of Arabic language and for an Arabic phrasebook.
Free Translation Tools: Cambridge English-Arabic Dictionary :

Useful Resources

To Find an Apartment: Jumia Chad
Tchad Market
To Find a Job: Glassdoor Chad

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