Capital: N’Djamena
Time zone: GMT + 1
Telephone services: Country Code: 235 It may be necessary to go through the operator
Outgoing Code: Calls must go through the operator.
Emergency telephone numbers: Not available at present.
Tourist information: Direction de la Promotion Touristique, BP 86, N’djamena, Chad Tel: 524 416, Fax: 524 397 or 522 261.
Passport information: A valid passport is required by all except by nationals of:- Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, and Togo. Return Ticket Required. Requirements may be subject to change at short notice. Contact embassy.
Visa information: Visa required by all except nationals of, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, and Togo.
Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended.
Malaria: The falciparum variety is present.
Yellow Fever: Vaccination required with certificate for travellers over one year of age.
Other Health Risks: Bilharzia, River blindness, Sleeping sickness and Meningitis.
Food & drink: Water is untreated and not safe to drink. Avoid dairy products as they are not pasteurised. Fruit and vegetables should be peeled before consumption.
Currency: CFA Franc (CFAfr) = 100 centimes.
Advisable to bring US Dollars rather than sterling into the country.
Credit cards and travellers cheques are not accepted.
ATM availability: Unavailable.
Cost of living: The economy is very unstable due to civil unrest.
Languages: French. Arabic and Sara are also widely spoken. There are over 50 local languages.
Weather: The climate is hot and tropical. South has a raining season from May – Oct. Central has a raining season from Jun – Sept. The North has little rain. It is often cool in the evenings
Electricity: 220/380 Volts Ac 50 Hz
Post: Airmail takes about one week.
Transport: FLIGHTS: Very limited. ROAD: N’Djamena needs 4-wheel drive and permits are usually required. Due to security conditions and lack of petrol and repair facilities the government have prohibited travel especially in central and northern areas. Most roads are impassable during the raining season. DOCUMENTATION: Carnet de passage is required and is issued by the Tourist Association in the country of origin. An IDP is also required and either a Green card or ALL RISKS insurance obtained in Chad. Documentation must be obtained at all times as travellers may encounter road-blocks.
Special information: NOTE: MODERATE RISK. Visitors to Chad should be vigilant at all times. Respect for traditional beliefs and customs is expected. SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS: Chad’s Northern provinces bordering Libya constitute a military zone and remain heavily mined. Travel to and from this area is very dangerous and should be avoided. Rebel activity is spreading avoid travel to Tibetsi plateau and Bardai. Travel to the SW border area is also dangerous. Do not travel at night. We strongly advise against travelling at night. Pay close attention to all military road blocks.