Africa · Middle Africa

Chad

Republic of Chad

Flag of Chad
Local Time
--:--:--
UTC+01:00
🏛️ Capital
N'Djamena
👥 Population
19,340,757
📐 Area
1,284,000 km²
💱 Currency
Central African CFA franc (Fr)
🗣️ Languages
Arabic, French
📞 Calling Code
+235
🕐 Time Zones
UTC+01:00
🌐 Region
Africa / Middle Africa

About Chad

Chad is one of Africa's most remote and dramatic destinations — a vast landlocked nation at the heart of the continent where Saharan sand seas, volcanic massifs, Lake Chad's shrinking wetlands, and ancient caravan trade routes converge in a landscape of elemental power. Covering 1.28 million square kilometres, Chad is the fifth-largest country in Africa, yet its population density is among the continent's lowest, creating a sense of wilderness and solitude that few places can match. This is not a destination for those seeking comfort and convenience, but for travelers drawn to the genuinely untamed, Chad offers rewards that are simply unavailable in more developed corners of the world.

The Tibesti Mountains in the far north are among Africa's most spectacular highland landscapes — a series of ancient volcanoes, some still active, rising from the Sahara to heights above 3,400 metres. The Ennedi Plateau in the northeast is perhaps even more striking, a sandstone labyrinth of arches, towers, and natural bridges carved by ancient water and wind into shapes that seem to belong in another world. Rock art sites in Ennedi, some dating back 7,000 years, document a time when this now-arid landscape teemed with hippos, giraffes, and cattle-herding peoples — images that cast the Sahara's transformation in deeply human terms.

N'Djamena, the capital on the banks of the Chari River, is a dusty but lively city where Arabic and French cultures blend, bustling markets spill onto sandy streets, and the energy of a young, resilient population is palpable. Traveling in Chad requires serious preparation, a reputable local operator, and a genuine spirit of adventure, but for those who make the effort, the country's combination of surreal natural wonders, historical depth, and raw authenticity delivers an experience that will fundamentally recalibrate your sense of what travel can be.

History & Background

The Chad Basin has been inhabited for millennia, and the region around Lake Chad gave rise to some of Africa's most powerful and sophisticated ancient states. The Kanem-Bornu Empire, centered near the lake, flourished for nearly a thousand years from roughly the 9th century CE to the 19th century, dominating trans-Saharan trade routes that connected sub-Saharan Africa to North Africa and the Mediterranean world. At its height, Kanem-Bornu was a major center of Islamic scholarship, diplomacy, and commerce, and its influence extended across modern-day Chad, Niger, Nigeria, and Libya.

The French colonized the territory in the late 19th and early 20th centuries after defeating the powerful warlord Rabih az-Zubayr, who had conquered much of the Chad Basin. French rule was exploitative and often brutal, particularly in the south where forced labor and cotton cultivation devastated local communities. Independence came in 1960, but Chad's post-colonial history has been dominated by chronic civil war, coups, and interference from neighboring Libya under Muammar Gaddafi. Despite significant natural resources — including oil discovered in southern Chad in the 1990s — the country remains one of the world's least developed, with ongoing security challenges particularly in the east and north related to spillover from regional conflicts in Sudan and the Sahel.

Culture & People

Chad is one of Africa's most ethnically diverse countries, with over 200 distinct ethnic groups speaking more than 120 languages across a territory that bridges the Saharan north and the savanna-covered south. Arabic and French are the two official languages, but daily life across different regions is conducted in Chadian Arabic, Sara, Kanuri, Maba, and dozens of other tongues. Islam is the majority religion in the north and center, while Christianity and traditional animist beliefs predominate in the south, and these religious traditions coexist with varying degrees of harmony shaped by decades of civil conflict and political complexity.

Nomadic and seminomadic pastoralism remains a living way of life for many Chadians, particularly the Toubou of the north and the Fulani herders of the center, whose movements across vast distances define their relationship with land and season. Camel caravans still travel traditional routes, and the interplay of desert and Sahelian cultures at trade hubs like Faya-Largeau is a human drama of enormous antiquity and continuing relevance. Traditional music, featuring complex polyrhythmic drumming and call-and-response singing, and the weaving of brightly colored textiles are important cultural expressions, and the wrestling tradition of lutte traditionnelle draws enormous crowds and community pride in villages throughout the country.

Food & Cuisine

Chadian cuisine is simple, nourishing, and shaped by the constraints of a landlocked Sahelian country where agriculture and herding define the food supply. The staple dish in much of the country is boule, a stiff porridge made from millet or sorghum that is shaped into a ball and eaten with hands, dipped into sauces made from dried fish, okra, groundnuts, or leafy vegetables. In N'Djamena and other towns with Lake Chad access, fresh and dried fish — particularly Nile perch and capitaine — are central to the diet and prepared in fragrant tomato and chili sauces. Lamb and goat are the primary meats for celebration meals and are most commonly grilled over charcoal.

In the north, the diet reflects desert and nomadic traditions: dates, camel milk, dried meat, and flatbreads baked in sand are sustaining and surprisingly delicious in context. Daraba, a sauce made from dried okra with peanuts and tomatoes, is a national staple eaten across ethnic boundaries. Tea culture is central to social life — the elaborately prepared attaya, a triple-brewed glass of sweet, strong green tea, is served to guests as a ritual of welcome and hospitality that can take an hour to complete. Street food in N'Djamena includes grilled meat skewers, bean fritters, and roasted corn, best found in the central market area.

Top Attractions

  • Ennedi Plateau — A UNESCO World Heritage sandstone wonderland of arches, gorges, and natural sculptures rising from the Sahara, with ancient rock art galleries among the finest in Africa.
  • Zakouma National Park — One of Central Africa's great wildlife sanctuaries, home to the continent's largest remaining population of Sahel elephants along with lions, buffalo, and extraordinary bird diversity.
  • Tibesti Mountains — An extraordinary volcanic massif in the northern Sahara reaching 3,415 metres, featuring vast calderas, hot springs, and landscapes of otherworldly geological drama.
  • Lake Chad — Once one of Africa's largest lakes, now dramatically reduced, this ancient body of water supports millions of people and remains home to diverse birdlife and traditional fishing communities.
  • N'Djamena Central Market — The commercial and cultural heart of the capital, where traders from across the Sahel converge, selling textiles, spices, camels, and handicrafts in organized chaos.
  • Gaoui Village — A 10th-century Sao civilization site just outside N'Djamena, featuring ancient terracotta sculpture traditions and a small museum of pre-Islamic Chadian heritage.

Practical Travel Tips

  • Chad requires serious advance planning — obtain your visa from a Chadian embassy before arrival, as visa on arrival is unreliable, and book all travel through a reputable local operator.
  • Register your trip with your country's embassy in N'Djamena and check current travel advisories, particularly for the north, east, and Lake Chad region where security risks are elevated.
  • Travel to remote areas like Ennedi and Tibesti requires a police permit, a 4x4 convoy, an experienced local guide, and sufficient fuel, water, and food for multiple days of self-sufficient travel.
  • Carry CFA francs in cash — card payments are essentially unavailable outside the best hotels in N'Djamena.
  • Yellow fever vaccination certificate is mandatory for entry; ensure your malaria prophylaxis is up to date for travel in the south.
  • The heat in April through September can be genuinely dangerous in northern and central Chad — plan travel activities for the early morning and late afternoon.
  • Photography of military installations, government buildings, airports, and border areas is strictly prohibited and can result in detention.

Visa Overview

All foreign nationals require a visa to enter Chad. The visa must typically be obtained in advance from a Chadian embassy or consulate in your home country, as visa on arrival is not consistently available and cannot be relied upon. The application process requires a valid passport, passport photos, a completed application form, and supporting documents including an invitation letter or travel itinerary. Yellow fever vaccination documentation is mandatory. Processing times vary, and it is advisable to apply several weeks before your planned travel date. Some nationalities may face additional requirements — confirm current procedures with the nearest Chadian diplomatic mission.

Getting Around

Hassan Djamous International Airport in N'Djamena is the main entry point, served by Air France, Ethiopian Airlines, Turkish Airlines, and several regional African carriers. Within N'Djamena, motorcycle taxis and minibuses are the primary urban transport options. For travel outside the capital, renting a 4x4 vehicle with a driver-guide is essential — public transport between cities is limited and unreliable. Most roads outside the south are unpaved and require high-clearance vehicles. Domestic flights to Abéché and other towns are available but infrequent. Travel to the Ennedi and Tibesti requires fully self-sufficient expeditions with experienced local operators.

Safety Notes

Chad carries significant travel risks and most Western governments advise against non-essential travel to the country, particularly the eastern Ouaddaï and Sila regions near Sudan, the Lake Chad Basin (due to Boko Haram activity), and the northern Tibesti region. N'Djamena is generally functional for brief stays but experience occasional civil unrest. Armed robbery is a risk on intercity roads. If you do travel, use only vetted local operators, maintain contact with your embassy, keep a low profile, and have a clear emergency evacuation plan. Do not travel without comprehensive travel insurance covering medical evacuation.

Live Exchange Rates

Current exchange rates for currencies used in Chad.

Central African CFA franc (XAF) Fr
Updated: 2026-05-19
⌕
Currency CodeRate
1INCH 0.019391
AAVE 0.000020
ADA 0.007059
AED 0.006518
AFN 0.110934
AKT 0.002202
ALGO 0.016527
ALL 0.145650
AMD 0.653146
AMP 2.121101
ANG 0.003197
AOA 1.630190
APE 0.012306
APT 0.001880
AR 0.000831
ARB 0.015184
ARS 2.477639
ATOM 0.000863
ATS 0.020977
AUD 0.002487
AVAX 0.000192
AWG 0.003177
AXS 0.001511
AZM 15.084970
AZN 0.003017
BAKE 2.400301
BAM 0.002982
BAT 0.018318
BBD 0.003549
BCH 0.000005
BDT 0.218081
BEF 0.061498
BGN 0.002982
BHD 0.000667
BIF 5.286949
BMD 0.001775
BNB 0.000003
BND 0.002272
BOB 0.012300
BRL 0.008891
BSD 0.001775
BSV 0.000118
BSW 2.073411
BTC 0.000000
BTG 0.004613
BTN 0.171061
BTT 5,516.165249
BUSD 0.001776
BWP 0.024127
BYN 0.004880
BYR 48.803941
BZD 0.003572
CAD 0.002440
CAKE 0.001255
CDF 4.072838
CELO 0.022055
CFX 0.030138
CHF 0.001395
CHZ 0.036095
CLP 1.599047
CNH 0.012075
CNY 0.012071
COMP 0.000081
COP 6.742316
CRC 0.803433
CRO 0.025396
CRV 0.007522
CSPR 0.600763
CUC 0.001775
CUP 0.042584
CVE 0.168106
CVX 0.001023
CYP 0.000892
CZK 0.037061
DAI 0.001776
DASH 0.000041
DCR 0.000105
DEM 0.002982
DFI 1.807280
DJF 0.315787
DKK 0.011392
DOGE 0.017015
DOP 0.105055
DOT 0.001421
DYDX 0.012270
DZD 0.235605
EEK 0.023853
EGLD 0.000453
EGP 0.094631
ENJ 0.041320
EOS 0.021939
ERN 0.026620
ESP 0.253654
ETB 0.279453
ETC 0.000199
ETH 0.000001
EUR 0.001524
EURC 0.001523
FEI 0.001781
FIL 0.001839
FIM 0.009064
FJD 0.003913
FKP 0.001323
FLOW 0.049182
FLR 0.212454
FRAX 0.001787
FRF 0.0100
FTT 0.005493
GALA 0.527820
GBP 0.001323
GEL 0.004741
GGP 0.001323
GHC 203.023699
GHS 0.020302
GIP 0.001323
GMD 0.131103
GMX 0.000268
GNF 15.567248
GNO 0.000015
GRD 0.519470
GRT 0.070562
GT 0.000250
GTQ 0.013529
GUSD 0.001779
GYD 0.371172
HBAR 0.019716
HKD 0.013898
HNL 0.047211
HNT 0.002155
HOT 4.472853
HRK 0.011486
HT 0.012238
HTG 0.232286
HUF 0.549722
ICP 0.000687
IDR 31.456689
IEP 0.001201
ILS 0.005151
IMP 0.001323
IMX 0.010425
INJ 0.000340
INR 0.171061
IQD 2.325314
IRR 2,339.333764
ISK 0.218611
ITL 2.951825
JEP 0.001323
JMD 0.280627
JOD 0.001258
JPY 0.282059
KAS 0.051354
KAVA 0.030815
KCS 0.000222
KDA 0.213354
KES 0.229501
KGS 0.155245
KHR 7.117762
KLAY 0.034119
KMF 0.7500
KNC 0.012360
KPW 1.597191
KRW 2.671229
KSM 0.000356
KWD 0.000546
KYD 0.001476
KZT 0.832741
LAK 38.927058
LBP 159.097755
LDO 0.004983
LEO 0.000176
LINK 0.000183
LKR 0.591042
LRC 0.109505
LRD 0.325264
LSL 0.029547
LTC 0.000033
LTL 0.005264
LUF 0.061498
LUNA 0.028039
LUNC 22.579073
LVL 0.001071
LYD 0.011269
MAD 0.016332
MANA 0.020137
MBX 0.045322
MDL 0.030711
MGA 7.425938
MGF 37.129688
MINA 0.031067
MKD 0.093945
MKR 0.000001
MMK 3.725521
MNT 6.351599
MOP 0.014315
MRO 0.709566
MRU 0.070957
MTL 0.000654
MUR 0.083913
MVR 0.027409
MWK 3.088782
MXN 0.030711
MXV 0.003475
MYR 0.007053
MZM 113.350526
MZN 0.113351
NAD 0.029547
NEAR 0.001100
NEO 0.000614
NEXO 0.001995
NFT 6,274.777524
NGN 2.433220
NIO 0.065234
NLG 0.003360
NOK 0.016458
NPR 0.273826
NZD 0.003031
OKB 0.000022
OMR 0.000683
ONE 0.865796
OP 0.013823
ORDI 0.000426
PAB 0.001775
PAXG 0.000000
PEN 0.006073
PEPE 481.910841
PGK 0.007841
PHP 0.109518
PI 0.011692
PKR 0.494441
PLN 0.006467
POL 0.019524
PTE 0.305633
PYG 10.801583
QAR 0.006460
QNT 0.000024
QTUM 0.001965
ROL 79.417597
RON 0.007942
RPL 0.001023
RSD 0.178929
RUB 0.128621
RUNE 0.003965
RVN 0.321113
RWF 2.594807
SAND 0.024643
SAR 0.006655
SBD 0.014209
SCR 0.026054
SDD 106.522710
SDG 1.065227
SEK 0.016698
SGD 0.002272
SHIB 307.893823
SHP 0.001323
SIT 0.365329
SKK 0.045927
SLE 0.040649
SLL 40.649170
SNX 0.005729
SOL 0.000021
SOS 1.014125
SPL 0.000296
SRD 0.066063
SRG 66.062690
SSP 8.367030
STD 37.752649
STN 0.037753
STX 0.007429
SUI 0.001677
SVC 0.015529
SYP 0.196167
SZL 0.029547
THB 0.057891
THETA 0.008989
TJS 0.016519
TMM 31.121252
TMT 0.006224
TND 0.005154
TON 0.000882
TOP 0.004222
TRL 80,896.793623
TRX 0.004976
TRY 0.080897
TTD 0.012038
TUSD 0.001777
TVD 0.002487
TWD 0.056147
TWT 0.003714
TZS 4.617794
UAH 0.078338
UGX 6.688289
UNI 0.000503
USD 0.001775
USDC 0.001775
USDD 0.001777
USDP 0.001777
USDT 0.001776
UYU 0.071136
UZS 21.353183
VAL 2.951825
VEB 91,809,632.725323
VED 0.918055
VEF 91,805.536798
VES 0.918055
VET 0.263460
VND 46.728455
VUV 0.210717
WAVES 0.004669
WEMIX 0.006570
WOO 0.105086
WST 0.004783
XAG 0.000023
XAU 0.000000
XAUT 0.000000
XBT 0.000000
XCD 0.004805
XCG 0.003197
XCH 0.000639
XDC 0.057090
XDR 0.001298
XEC 241.936057
XEM 2.666569
XLM 0.012089
XMR 0.000005
XOF 1.0000
XPD 0.000001
XPF 0.181920
XPT 0.000001
XRP 0.001284
XTZ 0.005190
YER 0.423478
ZAR 0.029547
ZEC 0.000003
ZIL 0.451396
ZMK 33.541740
ZMW 0.033542
ZWD 0.642262
ZWG 0.045983
ZWL 114.898216

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Cities in Chad 366
Browse all cities and towns
Abdi أبدي Abeche Abéché أبشي Abgué Abkar Djombo Abou Deia Aboudéïa أبو ضياء Abougoudam بدينا Addé Adre Al Hadjer Alako Am Dagachi Am Dam Am Dam أم دام Am Djemena أم جمينا Am Doback Am Habilé Am Sileb Am Timan Am Timan أم تيمان Ambassana - Am Djénaba Amdjarass أم جرس Amérom Amleyouna Andji Aouzou Aouzou أوزو Ara Aradib مخيم قوز عامر Arbouchatak Ati Ati Ardébé Ati أتي Bä-Illi Bagoua ( Bang-Bang) Bah Baïbokoum بيبوكمم Bakchoro Baké-Centre Baladja Balimba Baltoubay Baltram بالترام Bao Baranga Bardai Bardaï برداي Baro Bebalem Bébédjia بيبيجيا Beboni Bébopen Béboro Beboto 1 Bedara Bedaya Bédjo Bédjondo بيجوندو Beïnamar بينامار Beissa Bekamba Békan Bekiri Békourou Béladja Bémangra Benassa Benoy Bénoye بينوي Bere Béré بيري Berem Béssada Beti 2 Bili Biliam Oursi (Rigaza) Biltine Biltine بلتن Binder بندر Bir Douane بئر دوان Bitchotchi Bitkine Bodo Centre بودو مركز Bodoro بدرو Bogomoro Bohobé Bokoro Bokoro بوكورو Bol Bologo Bongor Bongor Borota Boudamasa بوداماسا Bougoumène Boum-Kebbir Bouna Bouola Bourou Bourou Bourtail Bousso Bousso بوسو Boutelfil Camp de réfugié de Farchana Camp de réfugié de Treguine مخيم تريجين Camp de réfugiés Alacha Camp de Refugiés de Abgadam Camp de Refugiés de Almarwaha Camp de Réfugiés de Am Nabak مخيم أم نباك Camp de réfugiés de Birak Camp de réfugiés de Djabal Camp de réfugiés de Doholo Camp de Réfugiés de Gaga Camp de réfugiés de Gondje Camp de Réfugiés de Iridimi مخيم إريديمي Camp de réfugiés de Kobiteye Camp de réfugiés de Koukou Camp de Réfugiés de Kounougou مخيم كونوغو Camp de Réfugiés de Milé مخيم ميلي Camp de Refugiés de Moyo Camp de Réfugiés de Oure Cassoni مخيم أوري كاسوني Camp de Réfugiés de Touloum مخيم تولوم Chaddra 1 Chaddra شادرا Chinguil شنقيل Chokoyan Dafra Daha Danamadji Delbiane Déli Dembo Department Administrative de Nohi Déressia Dindjébo Diona Djéké Djéké Djermaya جرماية Djodo Gasa Djoli جلي Djoroko Djouman (Samga) Djouna Doba Dobiti Dodinda Dogdoré دوجوري Dogou Doguinndi Donia Dono Manga Dougouba Dourbali Dourgoulanga Echbara Eref Fada Fada فادا Farchana فرشانة Faya Faya-Largeau فايا لارجو Fianga Fianga فيانكا Fzigui Gagal Galgas Gassire قسيري Gégou Gélo Goré غوري Goueygoudoum Goundi Goundi Goungour Gounou Gaya Gounou Gaya قونو قايا Gouro Goz Beïda قوز بيضة Guélendeng غيلندنك Guelengdeng Guéné (Hollom Games) Guereda غيريدا Guérry Guidari Guitté Hadjer Hadid هاجر حديد Haouich Haraze Djombo Kibit حراز Haraze حراز Igranga Iriba إريبا Ito إيتو Kakoma Kama Kara Karal كارال Karmé كرمي Karyari كارياري Katoa Kékédina Kelo Kelo كيلو Kerfi كرفي Kim Kimré Kirdimi Kola Kola Kolon Kolonga Kome Korbol Koukou Angarana كوكو أنغرانا Kouloudia Koumogo Koumra Koumra قمرة Koundoul كندولي Kouno Koupor (Kéra) Kourtiri Koyom Kraska Krim-Krim كريم كريم Kyabe Kyabé كيابي La Loumia Lagon Lai Laï لادي Lame Laoukassy Larmanaye Lere Léré Linia Logone Gana Mabrone Madana Madoul Magram Kebil Maï-Ache Maiba Maïgana مائقانا Makarati Soutou Manda 1 Mandjafa Mandjoura Mangalmé مانكالمي Mangueigne Mangueigne Mao Mao ماو Marfa Maro مارو Massaguet Massaguet مساقط Massakory Massakory مسكوري Massenya Massenya ماسينيا Matadjana ماتاجانا Maya مايا Mbaïkoro Mbalkabra Mballa Banyo Mbarlé Mbikou Mbitoye Mbursu Méchiméré Mélea Melfi Melfi Mérékertoué Miandoum Mié Modo 1 Mogo Mogororo Moissala Moïssala مويسالا Molou Mondo موندو Mongo Mongo مونقو Moudeina Moudouga Moulkou Moundou موندو Moura Mouraye Mouroum Goulaye Moussa Foyo Moussoro Moussoro موسورو Mouzragui Moyto N'Djamena N'Djamena-Fara انجمينا فارا Nanguigoto Ndam Ngam Ngama Ngangara Ngondeye Ngondong Ngoura نكورا Niergui Ntiona Orobo أروبو Oum Hadjer Oum Hadjer أم هاجر Ounianga Serir أونيانقا صغير Pala Pala بالا Péni Pont Carol Rakana Rig-Rig Rig-Rig ريك ريك Roro Saar-Gogne Salal سالل Sarh Sarh سارة Sido Singako Tapol Tari Tchoua Tebi Tikem Tilégey Tiné-Djagaraba تينا Tissi Torrock Tourané Tourba Tréné Troungna Wadjigui Yamodo Yao ياؤ Youé Ziguey أدري Adré أرادا Arada أركوم Arkoum أم زوير Am Zoer أوادي جديد Ouadi Djedid أوربا Ourba باهأي Bahaï بتكين Bitkine بيريه Bieré ترتي دوربالي Dourbali زوار Zouar كاليت Kalait كوبا أولانغا Kouba Olanga كوندجوروو Koundjourou مانديليا Mandelia ماني Mani نجمة Gama نكو Nokou

Visa Requirements

Check what visa a citizen of Chad needs to enter any country.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the capital of Chad?
The capital of Chad is N'Djamena.
What currency does Chad use?
Chad uses the Central African CFA franc (Fr) as its official currency.
What language is spoken in Chad?
The official language(s) of Chad include Arabic, French.
What is the population of Chad?
Chad has a population of approximately 19,340,757 people.
What region is Chad in?
Chad is located in Africa, specifically in the Middle Africa subregion.
What is the international calling code for Chad?
The international dialing code for Chad is +235.
What time zones does Chad observe?
Chad observes the following time zone(s): UTC+01:00.
What is the current time in Chad?
The local time in Chad is currently --:--. This time applies to the primary time zone.
What is the total area of Chad?
Chad covers a total area of 1,284,000 km².
How many states or provinces does Chad have?
Chad is divided into 33 states or provinces.
What are the public holidays in Chad in 2026?
You can view the complete list of public holidays for Chad in 2026 on the Holidays 2026 page.
What are the visa requirements for citizens of Chad?
Visa requirements for citizens of Chad vary by destination. Use our Visa Requirements Checker below to look up requirements for any destination country.