Chad is one of the largest countries in the world (1 284 000 km²) and easily swallows up Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and even Iceland. The country is therefore roughly the size of neighbouring Niger! Chad is very sparsely populated, with only about 18.5 million people. The country gained independence from French rule in 1960 and, as a colonial legacy, the official language is French. In addition, Arabic, the country's second official language, is also commonly spoken. English is poorly understood. People make their living from agriculture, but the country also has mineral resources and recently oil has been discovered. Tourism is almost non-existent.
Climate: Chad is a long country – stretching far north and far south. Climate conditions vary greatly from region to region. In the south, the climate is tropical, with rainfall from May to October. In the central parts of the country, such as the capital N'Djamena, the rainy season lasts from June to September, while in the north, the Sahara, rainfall is not regular and abundant, and some areas are completely without rain during the short rainy season. The dry season lasts throughout the country from at least December to February, with daytime temperatures throughout the country ranging between 20 and 35 degrees Celsius. Nights can be cool, especially in the Sahara. From March to the beginning of the rainy season, temperatures rise gradually to around 40 degrees Celsius. In terms of weather, the winter months are the best time to visit Chad.
Security: Chad is a safe country to visit, but in the main cities, normal vigilance is important, for example for pickpockets. Avoid taking photos of police, military bases and anything like that. In generally Chadian people don't like cameras. Border areas should be avoided, like certain areas around Lake Chad on the border with Nigeria.
Visa: With the exception of some African nationalities, visas are required for everyone. You must apply for it before entering the country, for example at the Chadian Embassy in Berlin, Paris or Brussels. We will send you a letter of invitation to accompany your application. Please note that visa policies and prices are subject to change without notice. Passports must be valid for at least six months from the date of arrival.
Currency: Chad uses the Central African CFA franc (XOF) as its currency, which is pegged to the euro. One euro buys around 656 francs. You should take euro banknotes and exchange them at your destination or withdraw cash from an ATM.
Vaccinations and malaria: Chad requires proof of a yellow fever vaccination. In addition, hepatitis a and b vaccinations are recommended. Please ensure that your basic vaccinations are up to date. In southern and central Chad, malaria is prevalent throughout the year, so anti-malaria medication is recommended. In the Sahara, the northern part of Chad, mosquitoes do not carry malaria.
Travel insurance: Comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended.
