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Practical Information about Chad
Your trip
The best time to visit Chad is during the dry season which is between September and May. The division of the rainy and dry season depends on where you are in Chad. Chad has three climate zones: the hot and dry Saharan Zone in the north, a rainy season in the central Sahel region from May/June to November, and heavy rainfall in the south with temperatures ranging from 27-33°C.
Everyone must take out travel and health insurance before leaving for Chad. Whether Chad is covered by your policy differs per insurance policy. In most cases this will not be a problem. At CultureRoad we recommend: IATI Travel Insurance, a reliable company that has different insurance options that fits your personal needs. Book now to get a 5% discount!
Most nationalities do need a visa to travel to Chad.
Chad uses the time zones UCT+1.
Chad has no difference between summer and winter time.
Chadians pay with Central African CFA Franc. ATMs are not always available or reliable and we therefore recommend that you bring enough Euros or USD for the trip. You can exchange money with the guide at a similar rate that you see at the bank. For the most recent exchange rate, visit www.xchange.com.
Of course it mainly depends on yourself how much you actually spend, but as a guideline we advise about € 50 per day, with which you should be able to save. However, if you would like to buy souvenirs, it is best to bring some extra. Soda is generally around € 1. For a meal you pay between € 5 and € 15.
Tipping local guides is always encouraged. They don’t earn much in this part of the world and it often makes a big difference to them. Of course this is according to your own preference.
We are always available to advise you when booking a flight. However, most customers prefer to book the flight themselves. Often this is cheaper in terms of price and you can pick your own preferences.
Practical information
The complete electricity supply in Chad is 220 Volt / 50 Hz. In Chad, power plugs and sockets of type D, type E and type F are used. However, you may occasionally need adapter plugs, so we recommend bringing a universal plug. There are also regular power outages, so make sure to charge everything as soon as there is power in your hotel.
Internet is available at most accommodations (if it works). However, don’t expect a fast and stable connection. There is mobile coverage around the towns and cities that we visit. You can choose to buy a local SIM card. If you wish, the guide will be happy to assist.
Local culture
Chad is generally an open and accessible country. In terms of customs, there are few differences with Western countries. A few rules to keep in mind:
– Wear simple clothes (t-shirt with pants / skirt).
– Don’t just drink alcohol in public.
– Many Chadians are not used to seeing tourists, which sometimes gives some suspicious looks but are meant well.
Some parts in Chad are safe and some parts are not. Corruption is still a big problem in the country. The areas in Chad that we visit are places where we feel comfortable and where we feel are safe to bring people. If the situation changes, we will also respond immediately. We therefore ask for a certain flexibility from our travellers. Some measures that we do pass on to our travellers;
– If you want to set off by yourself in the big cities, discuss this with the guide first.
– Don’t show off your most beautiful jewellery and watches, leave them at home.
– We do not discuss the itinerary or the name of the hotel with anyone. While it will of course only be out of curiosity that someone asks, we don’t share this information with others purely as a precaution.
All photography requires a permit issued by the Ministry of Public Security and Immigration. Additionally, it is illegal to take pictures of military sites, official buildings, airports, and public monuments.
In northern Chad, nomadic influences shape the cuisine with more milk, meat, and fish over grains. On the other side, the semi-tropical southern regions favor tubers, fruits, spices, and farm produce. Goats are the go-to choice for meat across the country. The most common national dish is Boule, a porridge like dish. The porridge is made from millet in the south and maize is more commonly used in the north. Chad is not an easy country for vegetarians. There are vegetarian options and the guide will certainly help you with it. Alcohol is readily available in Chad.
Since we mainly deal with warm temperatures, we recommend that you bring comfortable clothes. During the rainy season, we advise you to also bring rain gear (or clothes that may get wet). It is also useful to bring good walking shoes, as many roads are unpaved. In most hotels in the big cities you will be able to do laundry if there is time.
Chad is a developing country with a very turbulent recent history. Healthcare is therefore very limited. Also in terms of hygiene, the standard is much lower than in the Western world. Make sure you have enough disinfection gel, sunscreen and insect repellent.
We advise you always to the last (health) risk programs for the region where you’re going to visit. Check with your own government for the latest info about your destination.