Chad Travel Overview
At a glance
Capital: N’djamena
Official language: French, Arabic
Currency: CFA franc
Continent: Central Africa
Dream of many travelers to Africa
Despite a long history of ethnic coexistence, there is currently a racist state of conflict in Chad.
Location
According to Countryaah, Chad is a country in central Africa. It has no access to the sea and borders Libya, Sudan, the Central African Republic, Cameroon, Nigeria, and Niger.
Travel to Chad
Chad was once a legend among travelers to the Sahara, today it is dangerous to travel to the region. Above all, the border region with Sudan should be avoided. In any case, inquire about your travel safety before planning your trip.
If you dare to go on a trip to Chad, then you should plan a hike in the Tibesti Mountains in the north of the country.
Important facts
Capital: N’djamena
Official language: French, Arabic
Currency
Currency (sub-unit)
CFA franc (100 centimes)
ISO 4217 code
XAF / 950
Geography
Continent: Africa
Region: Central
Geo coordinates: N 15 ° 27 ’15 ” E 18 ° 43′ 55.9″
Highest mountain: Emi Koussi (3,415 m)
Total area: 1,284,000 km²
Mainland: 1,259,200 km²
National border: 5,968 km
Politics
Dependency: France until 1960
UN member since: 1960
Other political affiliation: African Union
Form of government: Military dictatorship
Economy
Export goods: Cotton, livestock prod.
BSP: $ 4,173,000,000
GDP: $ 4,562,000,000
GDP purchasing power parity: $ 17,090,000,000
GDP share of agriculture: 34.7%
GDP share of industry: 26.2%
GDP share of services: 39.1%
Inflation rate: 3.4%
Export: $ 3,748,000,000
Import: $ 1,043,000,000
Electricity consumption: 137 million KWh
Oil production: 234,000 million m³
Oil consumption: 1,700 million m³
Cultivation area: 2.82%
Bovine: 6,154,000 pieces
Sheep: 2,600,000 pieces
Fishing: 86,000 t
Demographic data
Residents: 9,944,200
Residents in cities: 2,389,700
Average age: 16 years
0-14 years: 47.9%
15-64 years: 49.3%
> 65 years: 2.8%
Population growth: 2.93%
Birth rate: 45.73 / 1,000 residents
Death rate: 16.38 / 1,000 residents
Migration: -0.11 / 1,000 residents
Ratio men / women: 0.96
Fertility: 6.25 children / woman
Infant mortality: 91.45 ‰
Life expectancy men: 45.88 years
Life expectancy women: 49.21 years
Country codes and abbreviations
ISO 3166 Alpha 2: TD
ISO 3166 Alpha 3: TCD
ISO 3166 numeric: 148
Top Level Domain: td
IOC country code: CHA
UN / LOCODE: TD
Source: Abbreviationfinder
Communication
Telephone connections: 14,000
Cell Phones: 134,000
Radios: 2,740,000
TV: 27,000
Computer: 19,000
Internet users: 27,000
Transportation
Paved roads: 569 km
Cars: 28,000
Pipelines: 205
Health
Number of doctors: 1,820
Daily food intake: 2.290 kcal / resident
HIV- infected people: 280,000
Education
Illiteracy: 51%
History
Foundation: 806
Last sovereign since: 1960
Religion
Main religious group: Muslims
Crime
Prison inmates: 4,200
Military
Armed forces (troop strength): 30,000
Defense Spending: $ 74.7 million
GETTING THERE
Arriving by plane
There are no direct scheduled flights from Germany, Austria or Switzerland. Flights from Paris also with Air France (AF). Afriqiyah Airways (8U) (Internet: www.afriqiyah99.eu) flies to N’Djamena via Tripoli. Chad is also served by Cameroon Airlines (UY) and Ethiopian Airlines (ET).
Departure fee
5000 CFA Fr (tourist tax) and 3000 CFA Fr (security fee). Transit travelers are exempt from this.
Arrival by car
Road connections to the Central African Republic, Cameroon, Nigeria and Niger. The currently best road leads from N’Djamena to Bangui (Central African Republic) via Bongor, Lai, Doba, Gore (border) and Bossangoa (preferable to the route via Sarh). The road to Niger is in poor condition. The overland route from Maiduguri in Nigeria runs through a narrow strip of Cameroon; the border between Cameroon and Chad is formed by the Logone River, which flows into Lake Chad. You can cross over by boat (there is no bridge). Armed attacks have been reported in the border areas with Cameroon. The roads are often impassable during the rainy season.
Note:An entry permit is required for all prefectures in the country (except for the city of N’Djamena), which must already be applied for with the visa. It is issued very restrictively. Therefore, it is currently only possible to travel to N’Djamena by car via Kousseri (Cameroon).
Bus: Minibuses and bush taxis run between N’Djaména and Kousséri in Cameroon. There are irregular bus connections to the Central African Republic, Nigeria and Niger, but sometimes you have to change vehicles at the borders.
Arriving by train
No rail network available.
ON THE GO
Traveling by plane
Domestic flights are currently only operated by private companies. Further information is available from the Direction de la Promotion Touristique (see addresses).
On the way by car / bus
The road network is in very poor condition. Driving outside of N’Djamena is only possible with four-wheel drive. The supply of fuel is currently not guaranteed nationwide. In addition, travel permits (Authorization de circuler) are required for all prefectures in the country. The travel permit must be applied for at the Chadian embassy together with the visa when entering the country by land.
Since there are only a few options for accommodation, food, petrol and repair shops, the government has restricted freedom of movement, especially in the northern and central parts of the country. This also applies to vehicle columns on the routes from Libya via Zouar and Faya-Largeau to N’Djamena and for the road from N’Djamena via Ati and Abéché to the Sudanese border. For trips to the north-east of the country, it is compulsory to bring a local guide with you.
Petrol is expensive. There is a dirt road from Maiduguri in Nigeria via Cameroon to N’Djamena that is heavily used by trucks. Their passability depends on the weather, among other things, between the end of July and the beginning of September you get stuck here, even with all-wheel drive vehicles. The road from N’Gaoundere (Cameroon) via Garoua, Maroua and the Wazza animal reserve to N’Djamena offers paved sections, but the unpaved sections make the road difficult to drive during the rainy season. Many other roads are in dire need of repairs.
Documents: Carnet de passage, international driver’s license and a fully comprehensive insurance for Chad.
Traveling in the city
The road network in the capital, N’Djamena, is relatively good, and rental cars with and without a driver are limited. Taxis run in the cities. Minibuses and taxis in N’Djamena charge unit fares. Taxi drivers expect a 10% tip.
