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: 2026-07-06
⌕
Currency CodeRate
1INCH 0.024315
AAVE 0.000020
ADA 0.009285
AED 0.006401
AFN 0.110812
AGIX 0.022339
AKT 0.002779
ALGO 0.019470
ALL 0.142868
AMD 0.641334
AMP 3.907483
ANG 0.003143
AOA 1.600667
APE 0.012433
APT 0.002787
AR 0.000873
ARB 0.021790
ARS 2.601387
ATOM 0.001102
ATS 0.020977
AUD 0.002516
AVAX 0.000252
AWG 0.003120
AXS 0.001726
AZM 14.814629
AZN 0.002963
BAKE 2.319545
BAM 0.002982
BAT 0.019790
BBD 0.003486
BCH 0.000007
BDT 0.214853
BEF 0.061498
BGN 0.002982
BHD 0.000655
BIF 5.188618
BMD 0.001743
BNB 0.000003
BND 0.002253
BOB 0.012073
BRL 0.009007
BSD 0.001743
BSV 0.000118
BSW 5.207423
BTC 0.000000
BTCB 0.032889
BTG 0.006040
BTN 0.166054
BTT 6,571.739005
BUSD 0.001741
BWP 0.023523
BYN 0.005061
BYR 34.164096
BZD 0.003510
CAD 0.002477
CAKE 0.001204
CDF 4.021288
CELO 0.025942
CFX 0.038957
CHF 0.001402
CHZ 0.096541
CLP 1.605557
CNH 0.011837
CNY 0.011832
COMP 0.000104
COP 5.825689
CRC 0.794215
CRO 0.029159
CRV 0.008153
CSPR 0.897419
CUC 0.001743
CUP 0.046191
CVE 0.168106
CVX 0.001449
CYP 0.000892
CZK 0.036872
DAI 0.001744
DASH 0.000050
DCR 0.000157
DEM 0.002982
DFI 2.097825
DJF 0.310398
DKK 0.011395
DOGE 0.022554
DOP 0.103295
DOT 0.001998
DYDX 0.013197
DZD 0.231795
EEK 0.023853
EGLD 0.000631
EGP 0.085615
ENJ 0.060223
EOS 0.024063
ERN 0.026143
ESP 0.253654
ETB 0.278786
ETC 0.000245
ETH 0.000001
EUR 0.001524
EURC 0.001526
FEI 0.001744
FIL 0.002207
FIM 0.009064
FJD 0.003914
FKP 0.001306
FLOW 0.062192
FLR 0.250744
FRAX 0.001762
FRF 0.0100
FTT 0.007317
GALA 0.760786
GBP 0.001306
GEL 0.004578
GGP 0.001306
GHC 198.010215
GHS 0.019801
GIP 0.001306
GMD 0.128529
GMX 0.000294
GNF 15.280923
GNO 0.000017
GRD 0.519470
GRT 0.091864
GT 0.000257
GTQ 0.013304
GUSD 0.001745
GYD 0.364815
HBAR 0.023082
HKD 0.013670
HNL 0.046661
HNT 0.007273
HOT 4.829819
HRK 0.011486
HT 0.048645
HTG 0.228136
HUF 0.539064
ICP 0.000791
IDR 31.359082
IEP 0.001201
ILS 0.005235
IMP 0.001306
IMX 0.012615
INJ 0.000357
INR 0.166054
IQD 2.285277
IRR 2,398.371797
ISK 0.219529
ITL 2.951825
JEP 0.001306
JMD 0.276114
JOD 0.001236
JPY 0.282088
KAS 0.056818
KAVA 0.038629
KCS 0.000241
KDA 0.299033
KES 0.225341
KGS 0.152441
KHR 6.988726
KMF 0.7500
KNC 0.015636
KPW 1.568760
KRW 2.671618
KSM 0.000495
KWD 0.000541
KYD 0.001450
KZT 0.823943
LAK 39.405256
LBP 156.518164
LDO 0.006452
LEO 0.000186
LINK 0.000218
LKR 0.583688
LRC 0.141854
LRD 0.316552
LSL 0.028329
LTC 0.000039
LTL 0.005264
LUF 0.061498
LUNA 0.035490
LUNC 28.388190
LVL 0.001071
LYD 0.011180
MAD 0.016320
MANA 0.025048
MBX 0.069301
MDL 0.030677
MGA 7.396034
MGF 36.980170
MINA 0.036763
MKD 0.093911
MKR 0.000001
MMK 3.658912
MNT 6.246787
MOP 0.014080
MRO 0.696062
MRU 0.069606
MTL 0.000654
MUR 0.081928
MVR 0.026944
MWK 3.023294
MXN 0.030465
MXV 0.003454
MYR 0.007106
MZM 111.312785
MZN 0.111313
NAD 0.028329
NEAR 0.000875
NEO 0.000881
NEXO 0.002266
NFT 6,576.469597
NGN 2.388257
NIO 0.064158
NLG 0.003360
NOK 0.017144
NPR 0.265811
NZD 0.003063
OKB 0.000022
OMR 0.000671
ONE 1.394409
OP 0.016212
ORDI 0.000537
PAB 0.001743
PAXG 0.000000
PEN 0.005935
PEPE 638.995869
PGK 0.007668
PHP 0.107211
PI 0.015407
PKR 0.484891
PLN 0.006544
POL 0.023699
PTE 0.305633
PYG 10.601398
QAR 0.006344
QNT 0.000026
QTUM 0.002452
ROL 79.670002
RON 0.007967
RPL 0.000861
RSD 0.178810
RUB 0.134304
RUNE 0.004214
RVN 0.457320
RWF 2.554863
SAND 0.034932
SAR 0.006536
SBD 0.014104
SCR 0.024906
SDD 104.616602
SDG 1.046166
SEK 0.016824
SGD 0.002253
SHIB 398.078084
SHP 0.001306
SIT 0.365329
SKK 0.045927
SLE 0.039808
SLL 39.807698
SNX 0.007611
SOL 0.000022
SOS 0.995266
SPL 0.000290
SRD 0.065611
SRG 65.610719
SSP 8.277345
STD 37.627164
STN 0.037627
STX 0.010193
SUI 0.002333
SVC 0.015250
SYP 0.192665
SZL 0.028329
THB 0.057934
THETA 0.012424
TJS 0.016155
TMM 30.580799
TMT 0.006116
TND 0.005138
TOP 0.004197
TRL 81,594.535810
TRX 0.005307
TRY 0.081595
TTD 0.011810
TUSD 0.001747
TVD 0.002516
TWD 0.055930
TWT 0.005070
TZS 4.579654
UAH 0.077673
UGX 6.369447
UNI 0.000551
USD 0.001743
USDC 0.001743
USDD 0.001745
USDP 0.001748
USDT 0.001745
UYU 0.070150
UZS 20.858647
VAL 2.951825
VEB 112,319,045.333648
VED 1.123090
VEF 112,309.045596
VES 1.123090
VET 0.369456
VND 45.838578
VUV 0.209482
WAVES 0.006559
WEMIX 0.006732
WOO 0.147197
WST 0.004821
XAG 0.000028
XAU 0.000000
XAUT 0.000000
XBT 0.000000
XCD 0.004718
XCG 0.003143
XCH 0.001106
XDC 0.062028
XDR 0.001286
XEC 328.111379
XEM 4.071317
XLM 0.008730
XMR 0.000005
XOF 1.0000
XPD 0.000001
XPF 0.181920
XPT 0.000001
XRP 0.001522
XTZ 0.007004
YER 0.413055
ZAR 0.028329
ZEC 0.000004
ZIL 0.564995
ZMK 31.980970
ZMW 0.031981
ZWD 0.630755
ZWG 0.046751
ZWL 116.817239

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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.