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Chad Practical information Chad

 
 
Area : 495753  sq.mi - Population 9885661 hab.
Chad

Our expert Chad

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map Chad

Weather

Practical information Chad

superficie

Area

495753  sq.mi
vol

Flights

8 hrs 10 mins. Ndjamena is 2,830 mi from London.
decallage horaire

Jet Lag

population

Population

9885661 hab.
aeroports proche

Airports

The international airport is 2.5 miles north of Ndjamena. Several taxis travel to the town-centre. Firmly discuss the price of the ride before you get in! It should cost you around 1 500 FCFA. When leaving the country, you'll pay an airport tax of 5 000 FCFA.
securite

Security

The almost constant political troubles Chad has lived through since independence (war against Lybia) and is still living today have hampered the development of its tourist potential. Travelling out of Ndjamena is still highly risky, which is why the Chadian authorities issue visit permits for movement within the country. Northern Tibesti is notably the territory of armed rebel groups including the MDJT (Movement for Democracy and Justice in Chad), which is still active and ready to fight against government armed forces.
Regions to avoid: Districts of Borku, Ennedi and Tibesti.
Useful telephone numbers:
Emergency service: 17
National Gendarmerie: 52.46.44
For any encountered problems, contact the French embassy in Ndjamena immediately: tel. 52.25.75 or 76 (24h/24).
langue

Languages

Chad's official languages are French and Arabic. Other languages are notably Sara, Turku, Hausa, Fulani, Baguimi and Bulala.
formalites

Requirements

A visa is mandatory to enter Chad. Your passport has to be valid for six months after your return date. Your return ticket and a hotel reservation (or a justifying document from your travel agency) are required in order to request a visa.

You must bring your vaccination booklet: the vaccine against yellow fever is required in the country.

religion

Religion

51 % of Muslims, 35 % Christians and 7% animists.
monnaie

Currency

The currency is the CFA franc (XAF). 1 pound Sterling = 729.814 XAF.

Cash and travellers cheques can easily be exchanged over the counter at banks or in the receptions of certain hotels. Visa and American Express credit cards can also be used to withdraw cash over the counter at banks. There are no cash machines here, and MasterCard payments are very rarely accepted. Banks are open from Monday to Saturday, from 7:00am to 1:00pm, and on Fridays from 7:00am to 10:30am.

transports

Local transportation

Transport network is not one of Chad's strong points: The roads are in a piteous state and the railway network is non-existant. There are, however, a few private companies with bus lines shuttling between the major cities. You can also rent a car (generally a 4x4), if you hold an international driver's licence. There are also a few local airlines.
The only means of transport available in N'Djamena is the taxi (1 500 CFAF per journey). Shared taxis are cheaper, but they always travel the same routes and are always crowded.
sante

Health

The onlyrequiredvaccine to enter Chad is the one against yellow fever. It has to be done by a registered medical centre, 10 days before departure at the latest, and lasts for 10 years. Check that you are up to date with the usual vaccinations. Careful, cholera is raging in the country at the moment.

Malaria. An anti-malaria treatment will complete your health preventive treatment (recommended: chloroquine and proguanil). However, the best way to protect yourself against mosquitoes is to avoid mosquito bites: sleep with a mosquito net every time you can, wear long clothes at night, use repellent cream, sprays and repellent smoke to keep them away!

Tap water is not recommended. Drink water in bottles, or sterilised or boiled water. Avoid also ice cubes, raw vegetables, fruit that has not been peeled... Eat very well-cooked meat and fish!
Hospital structures are not very reliable.

Useful numbers:
52.25.75 or 76
Fire Brigade: 18
General Hospital: 52.90.37
Ambulance services: 52.77.26

electricite

Electricity

Voltage is 220 V.
frequentation

Flood of tourists

40 000 tourists travelled to Chad in 2001.
taxe

Taxes and tips

telephone

Telephone

To call Chad from the UK: dial 00 +235 + number you are calling.
To call the UK from Chad: Dial 00 44 + the correspondent's number without the initial 0.