Chad

Touching down in N’Djamena, you’ll land in a capital that feels more like a sprawling river town than a hectic megacity. The Chari River glints beside dusty streets, low-rise buildings, and lively neighbourhood kiosks. Before you arrive, buy and activate a Hello eSIM so you can message your guesthouse on landing and book a reliable airport pickup – taxis exist, but pre-arranging transport is far smoother.

Most travellers spend at least a day or two in N’Djamena to get their bearings. Stroll past the Grande Mosquée, browse the central market for colourful wax-print fabrics and spices, and drop into the Musée National N’Djamena to get a feel for Chad’s many ethnic groups. Dress modestly, especially when visiting religious sites, and always ask before taking photos of people.

Security conditions can change quickly, so check current advisories and speak with your accommodation or tour operator about neighbourhoods to avoid and any curfews. When you start sketching out longer adventures – whether that’s Zakouma National Park, the shores of Lake Chad, or desert expeditions – use Hello’s trip planning feature to keep routes, contacts, and booking details in one place, even when connectivity is patchy.

Chad is huge and infrastructure is basic, so travel logistics shape your trip as much as the sights themselves. There are no passenger trains, and domestic flights are limited, so most journeys are by 4x4 on rough roads or tracks. For remote regions like the Ennedi Plateau or Tibesti, travellers almost always join an organized expedition with multiple vehicles, drivers, and a fixer who knows the checkpoints.

In and around N’Djamena, you’ll rely on:

• Taxis: Negotiate the fare before you get in; short rides might run around XAF 1,000–2,000 (about US$1.50–3).
• Motorbike taxis: Common but riskier; wear a helmet if you choose them.

Fuel availability, road conditions, and security checkpoints can add hours to any drive. Plan buffer days into your itinerary in case a track floods, a bridge is out, or permits take longer than expected. With Hello eSIM, you can stay in touch with local contacts where there is coverage, but expect long stretches with no signal in the desert.

Use Hello’s trip planning to store copies of your passport, permits, and emergency contacts offline, and keep a log of route changes – extremely useful when you’re days from the nearest town and need to stay organized.

Chadian food is hearty, simple, and deeply regional, drawing on desert, savannah, and river traditions. In N’Djamena, you’ll find everything from street grills to sit-down restaurants. Look out for mafé (a rich peanut stew), daraba (okra and vegetable stew), and grilled fish from the Chari River, often served with rice or boule, a dense millet or sorghum paste you pinch and dip into sauces.

Street food is a highlight: skewers of spicy brochettes, fried dough balls, and fresh mangoes in season. Always choose busy stalls, ask that meat is cooked hot and fresh, and carry hand sanitizer. Bottled or filtered water is a must – avoid ice unless you trust the source.

Tea culture is strong. You’ll often be offered rounds of sweet mint tea, poured theatrically from high above the small glasses. Accepting at least the first glass is a friendly gesture and a chance to chat, even with limited French or Arabic.

Costs vary, but a local meal can be as low as XAF 1,500–3,000 (roughly US$2.50–5), while mid-range restaurant dishes run higher. Use Hello’s budget tracking to monitor what you’re spending in CFA francs, and expense splitting to settle shared restaurant bills cleanly with travel companions at the end of the day.

Chad uses the Central African CFA franc (XAF), a currency shared with several neighbouring countries. ATMs are mostly confined to N’Djamena and a few large towns, and they don’t always work, so arrive with some cash and withdraw when you can. Card payments are still rare outside certain hotels and expat-focused spots.

For day-to-day costs, keep small notes for taxis, markets, and roadside snacks. A basic hotel room might start around XAF 20,000–30,000 (roughly US$33–50), while simple meals and local transport are relatively inexpensive. Use Hello’s budget tracking feature to log spending by category and spot if your safari plans or 4x4 rental are pushing you over your daily limit.

Security is a serious consideration. Conditions vary by region and can change quickly; many governments advise against travel to large parts of the country. Stay updated via trusted advisories, avoid night travel, and keep photocopies of your passport and visa separate from the originals. Always carry ID for checkpoints.

Mobile coverage is best in and around N’Djamena and patchy elsewhere. An eSIM from Hello helps you stay connected where local networks exist, without queuing for SIM registration on arrival. Remember that photographing government buildings, military sites, and some public areas is sensitive or illegal – when in doubt, ask before taking out your camera.