Kempinski Hotel Pool Photo by Ken Doerr via Flickr Creative Commons

The markets of N’Djamena are great for their handicrafts and locally produced goods, and even if you’re not intent on shopping in Chad, the street food is worth a taste. Open from 7:30 a.m. until sundown, most food stalls are open on Sunday mornings. In general, shopping hours are from Tuesdays to Saturdays, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., and from 4:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Chad’s economy continues to thrive due to its local artisans. One-of-a-kind items like carpets made of camel hair are a good buy. You can also find beautifully made leather goods, decorated weapons, brass figurines of animals, pottery, weapons, and knives, and embroidered cotton fabrics.

The historic quarter of N’Djamena is dotted with shops selling jewelry, colorful rugs, souvenirs, and apparel. For the best prices on leather, Abéché is the place to go, which is close to the Sudan border and can be reached by plane from the capital.

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