Chad Travel Tips

Social Conventions
Chadians are a relaxed and friendly people, but respect for traditional beliefs and customs is expected. Dress is informal but conservative in respect of Muslim laws. There is strict segregation of women in the Muslim areas. It is customary to shake hands. The left hand should never be used for offering or accepting food, nor should the sole of the foot be exposed in the presence of a Muslim. Identification should be carried at all times; failure to do so may result in detention by police.

Photography: It is necessary to obtain a permit from the Ministry of Information in order to take photographs. Photographing military sites, airports and official buildings is prohibited. Other photography requires a Government permit.

International Travel:

Getting There by Air
Airlines serving Chad include Air France, Cameroon Airlines and Ethiopian Airlines.

Departure Tax
XAF5,000 (tourist tax) and XAF3,000 (security tax). Students and transit passengers continuing their journey within 24 hours are exempt.

Main Airports
N’Djaména (NDJ) is 4km (2.5 miles) northwest of the city. To/from the airport: Taxis are available, operating 24 hours. Facilities: Post office, car hire, refreshments and bar, as well as restaurants.

Getting There by Rail
There is no railway network in Chad. There have been long-standing plans for a rail link with Cameroon but construction is not yet underway.

Getting There by Road
There are routes from Cameroon, Central African Republic, Niger and Nigeria. The border between Cameroon and Chad is the River Logone, which flows into Lake Chad. Boats ply across the river (there is no bridge). Access from Nigeria is via a sliver of northern Cameroon. There is a road from N’Djaména via Sarh to the Central African Republic. The road from N’Djaména to Maidguri in Niger is paved.

Roads can be inaccessible during the rainy season and the best time to travel by road is between November and May.

It is not possible, or advisable, to cross the border from Sudan. Care should be taken when traveling in the area around the border with Cameroon as there have been reports of armed bandits. 

Minibuses and bush taxis operate between N’Djaména and Kousséri in Cameroon. Rudimentary public transport is available to the Central African Republic, Niger and Nigeria, although it may be necessary to change vehicles at the border.

Overview
The following goods may be imported into Chad by persons over 18 years of age without incurring customs duty:

• 400 cigarettes (or cigarillos) or 125 cigars or 500g of tobacco (women are permitted to import cigarettes only).
• Three bottles of wine and one bottle of spirits.

There is free export of 1000 cigarettes or 250 cigars or 1kg of tobacco.

Internal Travel:

Getting Around By Air
There is a poor domestic service by Air Tchad connecting N’Djaména to Maundou, Sarh and Mao.

Getting Around by Road
Traffic drives on the right. Travel by road outside N’Djaména is possible by 4-wheel drive vehicle and permits are usually needed. In rural areas drivers should watch out for livestock. There are no emergency services so drivers should exercise extreme caution. Security conditions and a lack of housing, food, petrol and vehicle repair facilities have resulted in the government restricting travel, especially in the central and northern areas of the country. Petrol is expensive and petrol stations are not widely available. Many roads urgently need repair, and are impassable during the rainy season, especially in the south. It is advised to travel in convoy, keep doors locked, carry spare fuel and supplies, and not travel after dark, due to the potential for highway bandits. For travel to all areas outside N’Djaména, authorization from the Ministry of the Interior is required, which is usually granted without difficulty after a few days.

Buses: These run fairly regularly to Sarh during the dry season.

Documentation: International Driving Permit required for car hire (which is expensive) as well as an official autorisation de circuler.

Getting Around Towns and Cities
The city of N’Djaména has an adequate road system and there are limited self-drive and chauffeured car hire facilities. Minibuses and taxis operate in N’Djaména, with a flat fare charged. A 10% tip is expected by taxi drivers.


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