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: 2026-10-05
⌕
Currency CodeRate
1INCH 0.016337
AAVE 0.000009
ADA 0.006392
AED 0.006261
AFN 0.109954
AKT 0.002152
ALGO 0.013019
ALL 0.139388
AMD 0.617616
AMP 2.694608
ANG 0.003070
AOA 1.564408
APE 0.010163
APT 0.002157
AR 0.000381
ARB 0.008480
ARS 2.612302
ATOM 0.000979
ATS 0.020977
AUD 0.002458
AVAX 0.000157
AWG 0.003052
AXS 0.001302
AZM 14.492022
AZN 0.002898
BAKE 7.099566
BAM 0.002982
BAT 0.016599
BBD 0.003410
BCH 0.000005
BDT 0.209655
BEF 0.061498
BGN 0.002982
BHD 0.000641
BIF 5.138440
BMD 0.001705
BNB 0.000002
BND 0.002185
BOB 0.020420
BRL 0.008901
BSD 0.001705
BSV 0.000085
BSW 4.104228
BTC 0.000000
BTCB 0.024056
BTG 0.002577
BTN 0.164428
BTT 4,552.795829
BUSD 0.001701
BWP 0.023547
BYN 0.005124
BYR 33.368724
BZD 0.003431
CAD 0.002435
CAKE 0.000683
CDF 3.940907
CELO 0.016213
CFX 0.031617
CHF 0.001415
CHZ 0.102009
CLP 1.670545
CNH 0.011441
CNY 0.011432
COMP 0.000068
COP 5.592796
CRC 0.781017
CRO 0.024971
CRV 0.004452
CSPR 0.661373
CUC 0.001702
CUP 0.040828
CVE 0.168106
CVX 0.000732
CYP 0.000892
CZK 0.037239
DAI 0.001703
DASH 0.000029
DCR 0.000093
DEM 0.002982
DFI 2.577055
DJF 0.304035
DKK 0.011394
DOGE 0.017893
DOP 0.102053
DOT 0.001405
DYDX 0.011778
DZD 0.227932
EEK 0.023853
EGLD 0.000382
EGP 0.089756
ENJ 0.051003
EOS 0.017681
ERN 0.025574
ESP 0.253654
ETB 0.278348
ETC 0.000190
ETH 0.000001
EUR 0.001524
EURC 0.001522
FEI 0.001703
FIL 0.001625
FIM 0.009064
FJD 0.003843
FKP 0.001291
FLOW 0.053915
FLR 0.236014
FRAX 0.001718
FRF 0.0100
FTT 0.006668
GALA 0.687490
GBP 0.001291
GEL 0.004425
GGP 0.001291
GHC 199.888565
GHS 0.019989
GIP 0.001291
GMD 0.126285
GMX 0.000203
GNF 15.005855
GNO 0.000014
GRD 0.519470
GRT 0.056962
GT 0.000154
GTQ 0.013028
GUSD 0.001706
GYD 0.356375
HBAR 0.016527
HKD 0.013378
HNL 0.045880
HNT 0.002968
HOT 3.807827
HRK 0.011486
HT 0.047212
HTG 0.223096
HUF 0.562114
ICP 0.000524
IDR 30.588574
IEP 0.001201
ILS 0.005203
IMP 0.001291
IMX 0.009383
INJ 0.000225
INR 0.164428
IQD 2.232142
IRR 2,973.458922
ISK 0.209140
ITL 2.951825
JEP 0.001291
JMD 0.269690
JOD 0.001209
JPY 0.269505
KAS 0.039924
KAVA 0.024752
KCS 0.000228
KDA 0.183475
KES 0.219578
KGS 0.149104
KHR 6.912281
KLAY 0.045212
KMF 0.7500
KNC 0.012114
KPW 1.532238
KRW 2.295802
KSM 0.000331
KWD 0.000527
KYD 0.001415
KZT 0.764656
LAK 38.426594
LBP 152.839266
LDO 0.003657
LEO 0.000191
LINK 0.000121
LKR 0.563446
LRC 0.162027
LRD 0.292776
LSL 0.028531
LTC 0.000024
LTL 0.005264
LUF 0.061498
LUNA 0.033598
LUNC 32.416341
LVL 0.001071
LYD 0.010911
MAD 0.016809
MANA 0.016783
MBX 0.057289
MDL 0.030439
MGA 7.597649
MGF 37.988246
MINA 0.010649
MKD 0.093367
MKR 0.000001
MMK 3.579021
MNT 6.136338
MOP 0.013779
MRO 0.684701
MRU 0.068470
MTL 0.000654
MUR 0.082598
MVR 0.026357
MWK 2.954191
MXN 0.031078
MXV 0.003527
MYR 0.006970
MZM 108.829210
MZN 0.108829
NAD 0.028531
NEAR 0.000350
NEO 0.000670
NEXO 0.001982
NFT 7,092.966341
NGN 2.262628
NIO 0.062640
NLG 0.003360
NOK 0.016477
NPR 0.263208
NZD 0.003050
OKB 0.000014
OMR 0.000656
ONE 0.011662
OP 0.013017
ORDI 0.000378
PAB 0.001705
PAXG 0.000000
PEN 0.005900
PEPE 388.274352
PGK 0.007658
PHP 0.106969
PI 0.019627
PKR 0.472080
PLN 0.006689
POL 0.015703
PTE 0.305633
PYG 9.954176
QAR 0.006206
QNT 0.000007
QTUM 0.001736
ROL 81.472323
RON 0.008147
RPL 0.000893
RSD 0.178130
RUB 0.142974
RUNE 0.002182
RVN 0.714872
RWF 2.518436
SAND 0.023355
SAR 0.006393
SBD 0.013756
SCR 0.024309
SDD 102.337470
SDG 1.023375
SEK 0.017194
SGD 0.002185
SHIB 288.866107
SHP 0.001291
SIT 0.365329
SKK 0.045927
SLE 0.039290
SLL 39.289935
SNX 0.006780
SOL 0.000014
SOS 0.971594
SPL 0.000284
SRD 0.064473
SRG 64.472852
SSP 9.739484
STD 37.670294
STN 0.037670
STX 0.004320
SUI 0.001400
SVC 0.014918
SYP 22.135723
SZL 0.028531
THB 0.057436
THETA 0.007529
TJS 0.015698
TMM 29.835906
TMT 0.005967
TND 0.005098
TOP 0.004097
TRL 83,812.952312
TRX 0.005082
TRY 0.083813
TTD 0.011553
TUSD 0.001703
TVD 0.002458
TWD 0.054222
TWT 0.003001
TZS 4.487094
UAH 0.076674
UGX 6.800078
UNI 0.000189
USD 0.001705
USDC 0.001703
USDD 0.001703
USDP 0.001706
USDT 0.001703
UYU 0.068665
UZS 20.078907
VAL 2.951825
VEB 147,832,867.263168
VED 1.478329
VEF 147,832.867263
VES 1.478329
VET 0.196141
VND 44.351514
VUV 0.205337
WAVES 0.005667
WEMIX 0.008727
WOO 0.126412
WST 0.004730
XAG 0.000028
XAU 0.000000
XAUT 0.000000
XBT 0.000000
XCD 0.004614
XCG 0.003070
XCH 0.001083
XDC 0.051822
XDR 0.001259
XEC 209.864407
XEM 2.981881
XLM 0.007652
XMR 0.000003
XOF 1.0000
XPD 0.000001
XPF 0.181920
XPT 0.000001
XRP 0.001132
XTZ 0.005191
YER 0.403029
ZAR 0.028531
ZEC 0.000001
ZIL 0.475774
ZMK 33.483377
ZMW 0.033483
ZWD 0.617009
ZWG 0.045634
ZWL 114.027730

No currencies match your search.

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.