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: 2026-08-20
⌕
Currency CodeRate
1INCH 0.020578
AAVE 0.000019
ADA 0.009566
AED 0.006540
AFN 0.116556
AGIX 0.031297
AKT 0.003464
ALGO 0.021632
ALL 0.141298
AMD 0.646426
AMP 4.642234
ANG 0.003190
AOA 1.635473
APE 0.013848
APT 0.003183
AR 0.000958
ARB 0.020360
ARS 2.666023
ATOM 0.001193
ATS 0.020977
AUD 0.002505
AVAX 0.000263
AWG 0.003188
AXS 0.001976
AZM 15.136571
AZN 0.003027
BAKE 2.560106
BAM 0.002982
BAT 0.028480
BBD 0.003562
BCH 0.000008
BDT 0.216685
BEF 0.061498
BGN 0.002982
BHD 0.000670
BIF 5.296727
BMD 0.001781
BNB 0.000003
BND 0.002264
BOB 0.020454
BRL 0.009222
BSD 0.001781
BSV 0.000111
BSW 4.913826
BTC 0.000000
BTCB 0.030087
BTG 0.004058
BTN 0.170284
BTT 6,545.602639
BUSD 0.001780
BWP 0.023953
BYN 0.005384
BYR 34.898812
BZD 0.003577
CAD 0.002458
CAKE 0.001105
CDF 4.082357
CELO 0.028456
CFX 0.040659
CHF 0.001422
CHZ 0.139308
CLP 1.641164
CNH 0.011977
CNY 0.011977
COMP 0.000097
COP 5.436450
CRC 0.801742
CRO 0.035739
CRV 0.006825
CSPR 0.666775
CUC 0.001781
CUP 0.047185
CVE 0.168106
CVX 0.001101
CYP 0.000892
CZK 0.036846
DAI 0.001781
DASH 0.000056
DCR 0.000151
DEM 0.002982
DFI 1.789675
DJF 0.316293
DKK 0.011397
DOGE 0.023720
DOP 0.104004
DOT 0.002250
DYDX 0.016189
DZD 0.236339
EEK 0.023853
EGLD 0.000627
EGP 0.090201
ENJ 0.070377
EOS 0.026983
ERN 0.026712
ESP 0.253654
ETB 0.289411
ETC 0.000270
ETH 0.000001
EUR 0.001524
EURC 0.001535
FEI 0.001779
FIL 0.002645
FIM 0.009064
FJD 0.003918
FKP 0.001309
FLOW 0.061593
FLR 0.276969
FRAX 0.001796
FRF 0.0100
FTT 0.008580
GALA 1.235874
GBP 0.001309
GEL 0.004640
GGP 0.001309
GHC 197.052674
GHS 0.019705
GIP 0.001309
GMD 0.131966
GMX 0.000262
GNF 15.627885
GNO 0.000015
GRD 0.519470
GRT 0.127274
GT 0.000256
GTQ 0.013555
GUSD 0.001784
GYD 0.370419
HBAR 0.025127
HKD 0.013965
HNL 0.047609
HNT 0.010274
HOT 5.273416
HRK 0.011486
HT 0.015681
HTG 0.231617
HUF 0.554781
ICP 0.000768
IDR 31.701971
IEP 0.001201
ILS 0.005304
IMP 0.001309
IMX 0.017022
INJ 0.000383
INR 0.170284
IQD 2.319410
IRR 2,447.546247
ISK 0.216799
ITL 2.951825
JEP 0.001309
JMD 0.279754
JOD 0.001263
JPY 0.282003
KAS 0.066784
KAVA 0.043265
KCS 0.000244
KDA 0.379256
KES 0.230512
KGS 0.155900
KHR 7.172034
KLAY 0.072450
KMF 0.7500
KNC 0.016828
KPW 1.602497
KRW 2.481754
KSM 0.000578
KWD 0.000549
KYD 0.001479
KZT 0.821441
LAK 39.924454
LBP 159.175388
LDO 0.005256
LEO 0.000192
LINK 0.000170
LKR 0.585965
LRC 0.223846
LRD 0.322437
LSL 0.028672
LTC 0.000038
LTL 0.005264
LUF 0.061498
LUNA 0.040276
LUNC 35.248472
LVL 0.001071
LYD 0.011269
MAD 0.016481
MANA 0.026563
MBX 0.086115
MDL 0.030527
MGA 7.627547
MGF 38.137737
MINA 0.041672
MKD 0.094022
MKR 0.000001
MMK 3.738741
MNT 6.406336
MOP 0.014384
MRO 0.709266
MRU 0.070927
MTL 0.000654
MUR 0.083645
MVR 0.027529
MWK 3.073781
MXN 0.030181
MXV 0.003445
MYR 0.007199
MZM 113.641542
MZN 0.113642
NAD 0.028672
NEAR 0.001021
NEO 0.000978
NEXO 0.002385
NFT 6,323.142085
NGN 2.398225
NIO 0.065342
NLG 0.003360
NOK 0.016611
NPR 0.272582
NZD 0.002996
OKB 0.000017
OMR 0.000685
ONE 2.468312
OP 0.020050
ORDI 0.000484
PAB 0.001781
PAXG 0.000000
PEN 0.005967
PEPE 614.756252
PGK 0.007995
PHP 0.109732
PI 0.019816
PKR 0.492301
PLN 0.006584
POL 0.021816
PTE 0.305633
PYG 10.655707
QAR 0.006482
QNT 0.000030
QTUM 0.002467
ROL 79.980558
RON 0.007998
RPL 0.001145
RSD 0.178895
RUB 0.149572
RUNE 0.004175
RVN 0.683124
RWF 2.611330
SAND 0.043114
SAR 0.006678
SBD 0.014247
SCR 0.025832
SDD 106.877867
SDG 1.068779
SEK 0.016806
SGD 0.002264
SHIB 375.842148
SHP 0.001309
SIT 0.365329
SKK 0.045927
SLE 0.040803
SLL 40.802814
SNX 0.008688
SOL 0.000021
SOS 1.009954
SPL 0.000297
SRD 0.067325
SRG 67.324613
SSP 10.095378
STD 37.593669
STN 0.037594
STX 0.013652
SUI 0.002523
SVC 0.015582
SYP 23.150732
SZL 0.028672
THB 0.058471
THETA 0.011848
TJS 0.016334
TMM 31.157763
TMT 0.006232
TND 0.005161
TOP 0.004242
TRL 85,398.139569
TRX 0.005331
TRY 0.085398
TTD 0.012038
TUSD 0.001783
TVD 0.002505
TWD 0.056696
TWT 0.004453
TZS 4.713368
UAH 0.079536
UGX 6.616672
UNI 0.000486
USD 0.001781
USDC 0.001780
USDD 0.001782
USDP 0.001783
USDT 0.001781
UYU 0.071251
UZS 20.916263
VAL 2.951825
VEB 138,239,338.271621
VED 1.379297
VEF 137,929.716153
VES 1.379297
VET 0.366884
VND 46.519434
VUV 0.210634
WAVES 0.009030
WEMIX 0.009202
WOO 0.161444
WST 0.004796
XAG 0.000027
XAU 0.000000
XAUT 0.000000
XBT 0.000000
XCD 0.004821
XCG 0.003190
XCH 0.001257
XDC 0.064019
XDR 0.001300
XEC 253.980010
XEM 3.803649
XLM 0.010368
XMR 0.000004
XOF 1.0000
XPD 0.000001
XPF 0.181920
XPT 0.000001
XRP 0.001605
XTZ 0.008175
YER 0.422180
ZAR 0.028672
ZEC 0.000003
ZIL 0.732614
ZMK 33.359930
ZMW 0.033360
ZWD 0.644477
ZWG 0.047495
ZWL 118.676672

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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.