Things to Do in Chad

About Chad

The Sahara meets Lake Chad in a country where nomadic herders still follow routes their ancestors walked centuries ago. Chad doesn't fit easy categories. In N'Djamena's markets, you'll hear six languages and a dozen dialects while grilled fish competes with desert air for your attention. Time moves differently here. The Chari River cuts through a landscape that shifts between sand and water, and fishermen work the lake at dawn like they've done for generations. This is raw Africa—no polish, no pretense. Hospitality matters here. Tradition and survival are linked in ways visitors from stable countries won't immediately grasp, and every sunset offers colors you can't reproduce on a screen. Chad changes people. The northern mountains hide ancient rock art that predates most civilizations, and spending time here gives you a sense of scale most places can't match.

Travel Tips

Transportation: Domestic flights with Toumai Air Tchad are limited and expensive—N'Djamena to Abéché costs 150,000-250,000 CFA francs ($243-$405). Use bush taxis for intercity travel at 10,000-25,000 francs ($16-$40) but expect long delays. In cities, motorcycle taxis cost 500-2,000 francs ($0.81-$3.24) for short trips.

Money: Exchange US dollars or euros at banks like Ecobank for rates around 617 CFA francs per dollar. ATMs are very limited outside N'Djamena; bring cash. Budget 15,000-35,000 francs ($24-$57) daily for meals and basic accommodation.

Cultural Respect: Greet with 'as-salamu alaykum' in Arabic or 'bonjour' in French. Dress conservatively covering shoulders and knees. Respect both Islamic and Christian traditions as the country is religiously mixed.

Food: Try daraba (okra stew) and grilled fish at local restaurants for 3,000-8,000 francs ($4.86-$13). Sample fresh dates from markets for 1,000-2,000 francs ($1.62-$3.24) per selection. Drink bottled water costing 500-1,500 francs ($0.81-$2.43) as tap water is unsafe.

When to Visit

Chad's climate divides into distinct wet and dry seasons, dramatically affecting travel conditions and costs. The optimal visiting period spans November through February, when temperatures range from 20-30°C (68-86°F) and humidity drops significantly. December and January offer the most comfortable conditions with cool mornings and warm afternoons, though accommodation prices peak 30-40% above off-season rates. March through May marks the hot dry season, with temperatures soaring to 45°C (113°F) in the north, making travel challenging but reducing costs by 25%. The rainy season (June-October) brings torrential downpours, flooding roads and making remote areas inaccessible, but also transforms landscapes into green oases. Temperatures moderate to 25-35°C (77-95°F) with 80-90% humidity. Budget travelers benefit from 40-50% lower accommodation rates during this period. Key cultural events include Eid celebrations (dates vary annually), the Gerewol festival (September-October) showing Wodaabe nomad traditions, and Independence Day (August 11). Photographers favor late dry season (March-April) for dramatic desert contrasts, while wildlife ensoiasts should visit national parks during dry months when animals congregate around water sources.