Country guides
Africa
Things to do in Chad
Chad has some truly remarkable natural attractions and great potential as a safari destination, with places such as Lake Chad, the Ennedi Plateau and Zakouma National Park within its borders. Animal lovers who've longed to escape to Africa can keep company with some of the continent's most iconic species, including elephants, lions, leopards and rhinos, and the local culture is rich and remains largely unchanged by time. Gaoui village is a good first stop for culture seekers, as it's a tremendous repository of traditional crafts and architecture. The Sahara Desert is a must for anyone interested in seeing Chad's prehistoric cave paintings.
Travellers should note that parts of the country are dangerous and poor infrastructure makes Chad difficult to navigate. Even so, anyone who wants to get off the beaten track in Africa will be delighted with its charms.
N'Djamena
Chad's capital is a heady jumble of bazaars and mud houses, as well as modern and colonial buildings, where the sight of farmers cultivating the riverbanks gives the urban sprawl a…
N'Djamena
Chad's capital is a heady jumble of bazaars and mud houses, as well as modern and colonial buildings, where the sight of farmers cultivating the riverbanks gives the urban sprawl an unexpected rural charm. The destination is situated on the Chari River and faces Kousseri in northern Cameroon on the opposite bank, with a bridge connecting the two cities. Sightseers can visit a cathedral, several mosques, and the Chad National Museum, and the Central Market (Grand Marche) offers decent shopping.
Zakouma National Park
Nestled within the vast Bahr Salamat Faunal Reserve and wedged between Sarh and Am Timan in the south of Chad, Zakouma National Park is one of the most remarkable wildlife strongho…
Zakouma National Park
Nestled within the vast Bahr Salamat Faunal Reserve and wedged between Sarh and Am Timan in the south of Chad, Zakouma National Park is one of the most remarkable wildlife strongholds remaining in Central Africa. Though civil war and extensive poaching have ravaged the park's wildlife population, the European Union has for many years been collaborating with the Chadian government to restock and conserve animal populations. Today, the reserve is one of Central Africa's great success stories, and is home to some of the continent's most iconic wildlife species. Its flat, semi-arid terrain is perfect for game viewing.
Ennedi
Located in the middle of the Sahara Desert, Chad's Ennedi Plateau is a magnificent mix of lakes, golden sand, mysterious canyons and bizarre rock formations. The region's prehistor…
Ennedi
Located in the middle of the Sahara Desert, Chad's Ennedi Plateau is a magnificent mix of lakes, golden sand, mysterious canyons and bizarre rock formations. The region's prehistoric rock paintings and natural sandstone arches will delight visitors, as will the animals that water at its pools and rivers. Travellers should look out for the nearly extinct desert crocodile in particular. The small airport in Fada, the region's capital, is the best bet for reaching the plateau. Otherwise, banditry and a lack of infrastructure make navigating the area difficult.
Gaoui
Gaoui is a charming village just outside the capital, N'Djamena, and is a good excursion for travellers who want to explore beyond the city but can't venture far. Photographers usu…
Gaoui
Gaoui is a charming village just outside the capital, N'Djamena, and is a good excursion for travellers who want to explore beyond the city but can't venture far. Photographers usually enjoy the village's traditional pottery and architecture, while art lovers can expect to view many wonderful pieces at the small local museum. Gaoui was once a settlement of the ancient Sao civilization, which is thought to have originated in the Nile Valley and reached Lake Chad around the sixth century BC. The Sao culture is alive and well in local folklore, and Gaoui's people continue the pottery tradition.