Photo: anmede, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Central Africa · Country guide

Chad

Remote desert arches and one of Africa’s great conservation success stories at Zakouma.

Flag of Chad
Capital
N’Djamena
Region
Central Africa
Languages
French and Arabic
Currency
Central African CFA franc
Best time to visit
Nov to Feb

Travel advice: some regions are off-limits. Check your government’s advice for the exact areas before you book.

Chad is hard work but unforgettable. Zakouma’s elephants have recovered dramatically under African Parks, and the Ennedi Plateau’s sandstone arches and rock art are among the Sahara’s finest. Many areas are off-limits; trips are best arranged with a specialist operator.

Did you know? Lake Chad has shrunk by around 90 percent since the 1960s.

Travel advice: Parts of the country are off-limits under most government travel advice. Check your government’s advice before booking.

Known for

  • Zakouma National Park
  • The Ennedi Plateau
  • Lake Chad
  • Tibesti Mountains

Did you know?

Lake Chad has shrunk by around 90 percent since the 1960s.

Before you go

  • Visas: rules depend on your passport and change often. Check Chad’s official immigration website and see our visa guide.
  • Health: see a travel clinic about vaccines and malaria. Read our health guide.
  • Safety: read your government’s current travel advice for Chad.

Plan your trip

Hotels on Booking.com Tours on GetYourGuide Tours on Viator

We may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you.

Frequently asked questions

What is the capital of Chad?

N’Djamena.

What currency does Chad use?

Central African CFA franc.

What languages are spoken in Chad?

French and Arabic.

When is the best time to visit Chad?

Nov to Feb.

Have you been to Chad?

Rate it

Tips from travellers

Been to Chad? Share one tip for the next traveller. The first good one goes right here.

Share a tip

We read every tip before it goes live. No links, please, and nothing personal about other people.

Questions from readers

Got a question about Chad? Ask it here.

Ask a question

We can’t reply privately. Useful questions get answered here on the page.