What to see, what to do Chad?
The 10 good reasons to go Chad
The Ounianga lakes
The Sahara's largest lake complex is one of the country's must-sees.
Lake Chad
Fed by the Chari River, Lake Chad has long been the world's largest freshwater lake.
Ancestral cultures
As the cradle of humanity, Chad boasts a cultural diversity that is rare in Africa.
The markets
Every town has its own market, where it's often pleasant to wander aimlessly.
A rich and varied fauna
The country is teeming with wild animals now well protected from man.
Chadian cuisine
The country's ethnic diversity is reflected in its original and varied cuisine.
The Tibesti massif
In the north of the country, Tibesti is home to the Emi Koussi volcano, the country's highest peak.
Ethnic diversity
More than 100 languages are spoken in this country inhabited by over 200 ethnic groups.
The fascinating Sahel
A land of nomads, the Sahel harbors a wealth of riches that must be earned.
Friendly locals
Wherever you ask for directions, the answer will always be accompanied by a smile.
What to visit Chad?
Good to know to visit Chad
Timetable
As in any hot country, business starts as soon as the sun rises, with shops opening as early as 7am or 7:30am and closing late in the evening. Some close between 12.30 and 3.30 pm. Markets, like the Central Market, display their wares early in the morning and pack up around 5pm.
For administrative offices, it's a continuous day, from 7.30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fridays are special, as this is the day of the High Prayer, so administrations generally close at 11am.
Public holidays are quite numerous, as Christian holidays are added to Muslim ones.
may1: Labour Day.
august 11: Independence Day (national holiday).
november 28: Proclamation of the Republic.
december1: Freedom and Democracy Day.
may 5: Ascension Day.
august 15: Assumption Day.
november1: All Saints' Day.
december 25: Christmas.
Tabaski or Aïd el-Adha (feast of the sheep or sacrifice).
Al Maouloud Annabaoui (birth of the Prophet).
Aïd el-Fitr (feast at the end of Ramadan).
To be booked
If you're planning to visit the National Museum in N'Djamena, we recommend you drop in the day before to make an appointment with a French-speaking guide who will accompany you on an instructive tour of this great museum.
Guided tours
The capital's markets: the Grand Marché or Central Market is bustling with activity. Fruit and vegetable stalls rub shoulders with fabric and cosmetics vendors. There are even open-air banks where you can exchange West African CFA francs for Central African CFA francs, a niche not exploited by traditional banks. More popular and essentially food markets, Chagoua and Dembé are lively and typical of Chadian commercial life.
The Chari River: a walk along the banks of the Chari allows you to spot hippos in the cooler hours of the day, and enjoy a beautiful sunset in the evening. The travel agency Tchad Evasion has a beach here for sunbathing.
The National Museum: tells a lot about Chad's history, with several rooms dedicated to military conquests, Chadian traditions, archaeology and paleontology. Best visited in the morning.
Fayçal Cathedral and Mosque: two of the city's most important places of worship. One was built during the colonial period, the other dates from the post-independence years, and was donated by King Faisal of Saudi Arabia.
Gaoui: a potter's village with a typical architecture of earthen huts; here, everything revolves around "earth", so it's easy to get lost in the contemplation of the large terracotta jars. In terms of culture, the museum focuses on the legendary Sao people.
Le rocher aux Éléphants (Hadjer el Hamis): where you can lose yourself in a short hike among the pink stones.
Lake Chad, from which the country takes its name, is an opportunity to see another face of Chad, full of mystery, and to embark on kadeïs, the local pirogues. Before embarking on any excursion on the waters and shores of the lake, it is essential to be informed about the security and geopolitical aspects.
Smokers
Law no. 010/PR/2010 of June 10, 2010 on tobacco control prohibits smoking in public places, workplaces and public transport. Pregnant women and minors are also prohibited from smoking. But more than a decade after this law was passed, cigarette smoking in public places is on the increase, as is chicha smoking. Smoking in public places has become fashionable among young people in recent times. What's more, cigarettes of dubious origin are invading Chad's markets. Don't be fooled, it's your health we're talking about.
What's very local
In the villages, the Koranic school is held in the central public square, where night fires are lit. The children gather around a marabout in the evening and early morning to copy the day's Koranic verses onto their wooden tablet(lôh), which they recite together until they learn them by heart. If they make a mistake, they are hit or whipped by the master. Every day, the lôh is washed with water and prepared for the next lesson. Children must memorize the 114 suras of the Koran before being circumcised or excised.
