Chad

SAFETY & SECURITY

• Terrorist attacks have occurred in N'Djamena targeting public venues, transport hubs, and government buildings; the threat is ongoing.

Prepare: Identify the safest route between your accommodation and any planned venue before arriving; avoid predictable patterns.

• Kidnapping targeting foreigners is active in border areas with Sudan, CAR, Libya, Niger, and Nigeria.

Prepare: Register with the Canadian government's Registration of Canadians Abroad (ROCA) service before departure.

• Armed robbery occurs across the country, including restaurant areas in N'Djamena; foreigners have been specifically targeted and injured.

Prepare: Carry minimal cash, leave valuables secured, and do not walk — arrange trusted vehicle transport even for short distances.

• Avoid all travel within 30 km of all international borders, the northern provinces of Tibesti, Ennedi, and Borkou, and the eastern regions of Sila, Wadi Fira, and Ouaddaï (except Abéché town).

Prepare: Map your intended route against the "Avoid all travel" zones before finalizing any itinerary outside N'Djamena.

• Live minefields exist in eastern Chad and along the Libyan border; the Libya–Chad land border is closed.

Prepare: Never travel off established roads in northern or eastern Chad; hire only locally experienced drivers who know the terrain.

• Celebratory gunfire is common and has caused deaths at considerable distances from the source.

Prepare: Stay indoors, away from windows, whenever you hear firearms or fireworks, particularly around political or religious events.

• Travel outside N'Djamena requires a permit from the Ministry of Interior, which may take several days to process.

Prepare: Apply for the permit well before any planned departure from the capital; factor processing time into your schedule.

HEALTH

• Yellow fever vaccination is required for entry if arriving from a yellow fever-endemic country; vaccination is recommended for most itineraries regardless.

Prepare: Book a Yellow Fever Vaccination Centre appointment in Canada at least 6 weeks before travel; carry your yellow card.

• Hepatitis A risk is present throughout Chad via contaminated food and water.

Prepare: Confirm hepatitis A vaccination is current with your travel health clinic; apply strict food and water hygiene throughout the trip.

• Measles, polio, and diphtheria are active travel health notices for Chad; routine immunization coverage in-country is low.

Prepare: Confirm your MMR, polio booster, and diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccines are up to date before departure.

• Malaria is endemic throughout Chad; antimalarial medication is warranted.

Prepare: Obtain a prescription antimalarial appropriate for Chad from a travel health provider and bring a DEET-based repellent.

• Food and water safety is poor; waterborne illness is a consistent risk.

Prepare: Drink only bottled or properly treated water; avoid raw produce, ice, and food from street vendors.

• Medical facilities are severely limited across the country; serious cases require medical evacuation.

Prepare: Purchase travel insurance that explicitly covers emergency medical evacuation before you book any travel to Chad.

• An Ebola screening protocol exists at some borders; travellers from Ebola-affected countries may face health checks, quarantine, or entry restrictions.

Prepare: Check current Ebola outbreak status in any country you are transiting through before travel; carry documentation of your recent travel history.

VISA & ENTRY

• Visa required for all Canadians — tourist, business, and student visas must be obtained in advance through the Chadian embassy; no visa-on-arrival.

Prepare: Contact the Embassy of Chad in Canada well ahead of travel; processing times vary and no online e-visa system is confirmed available.

• Passport validity must extend at least 6 months beyond your intended departure date from Chad.

Prepare: Check your passport expiry date now; renew immediately if it falls within 6 months of your planned return.

• You must register with national police and obtain a registration stamp within 72 hours of arrival.

Prepare: Locate the nearest police registration point in N'Djamena before landing; do not delay — failure to register can result in legal complications.

• A return or onward ticket is required for entry.

Prepare: Have printed proof of your return or continuing flight available at the border.

• Travellers with an "X" gender identifier on their Canadian passport may face entry complications; Chad does not recognize this designation.

Prepare: Consult the nearest Chadian diplomatic mission before travel to confirm entry eligibility.

Verify all visa and entry requirements directly with the nearest embassy or consulate before travel. Requirements can change without notice.

LOCAL LAWS & CULTURE

• Photography of government buildings, military installations, airports, and official personnel is illegal and can result in arrest.

Prepare: Ask explicit permission before photographing anything other than clearly private subjects; when in doubt, do not shoot.

• Chad is a majority-Muslim country in the north and central regions; conservative dress and conduct are expected, particularly for women.

Prepare: Pack loose-fitting, modest clothing that covers shoulders and knees; carry a headscarf.

• LGBTQ+ relationships are criminalized; same-sex activity can lead to imprisonment.

Prepare: Exercise full discretion; publicly expressing a same-sex relationship is a criminal risk, not merely a social one.

• Freedom of assembly is actively restricted; participation in or proximity to a demonstration can result in arrest as an accomplice.

Prepare: Monitor local media daily and reroute immediately if any gathering is forming in your area.

• Thuraya satellite phones must be registered with Chadian authorities before use; unregistered devices are illegal.

Prepare: If carrying a Thuraya device, register it with the relevant authority immediately upon arrival.

PRACTICAL & CONNECTIVITY

• The official currency is the Central African CFA franc (XAF); cash is essential as card payment infrastructure is minimal outside major hotels.

Prepare: Arrive with sufficient USD or EUR to exchange; ATM availability is unreliable even in N'Djamena.

• Telecommunications are highly unreliable outside N'Djamena; internet access may be restricted by authorities during unrest.

Prepare: Download offline maps, key contacts, and emergency protocols before departure; do not rely on connectivity.

• There is no functional intercity bus or rail network; trucks and minibuses are poorly maintained and are not recommended.

Prepare: Arrange a reputable local driver with a well-maintained 4WD vehicle through your employer, NGO, or hotel in advance.

• Road conditions are poor, unlit, and largely unpaved; intercity travel after dark is strongly inadvisable.

Prepare: Plan all road travel to be completed before sunset; carry extra fuel, a spare tire, and emergency provisions on any route outside the capital.

• Hiring a local driver is specifically recommended to reduce mob justice risk in the event of a road accident.

Prepare: Source a vetted driver through an established contact or employer rather than hailing transport informally.

CLIMATE & TIMING

• Chad has a Sahelian climate with extreme heat in the dry season (March–May), when temperatures routinely exceed 40°C in the south and can be higher in the north.
• The rainy season runs roughly June to September in the south; roads — already poor — become impassable in many rural areas.
• The north is desert (Sahara); dangerously hot year-round with very little water availability outside settlements.
• The most bearable period is November to February, when temperatures are cooler and roads are more passable.

TOP SIGHTS

Given the active Avoid Non-Essential Travel advisory and Avoid All Travel designations covering much of the country's most notable terrain, the following sights are noted with their access status.

• Zakouma National Park — one of Central Africa's more significant wildlife reserves with elephants, hippos, and large bird populations; located in the south-east (Salamat region), access requires extreme caution and professional guide arrangement.
• Faya-Largeau — the main town in the northern desert, one of the few accessible points in Borkou province; notable for its oasis setting in the Sahara, though surrounding areas carry Avoid All Travel status.
• N'Djamena Central Market (Grand Marché) — the capital's main commercial hub and a practical window into Chadian urban life; remain vigilant for pickpocketing and armed robbery in this area.
• Lac Tchad (Lake Chad) — a historically significant and ecologically notable lake on the western border; the surrounding Lac region has experienced deadly attacks and should only be accessed with a security-informed guide and current advice.

Prepare: The Lac Tchad region is subject to active terrorist and insurgent violence — do not visit without current, on-the-ground security clearance from a professional security provider.

• Ennedi Plateau — sandstone landscape in the northeast with rock art and natural arches; the region falls under Avoid All Travel and is not accessible under the current advisory.

WHERE TO STAY

N'Djamena

• Quartier Chagoua — a district used by international organizations and NGOs; proximity to established foreign presence provides some baseline security infrastructure, though vigilance is required at all hours.
• Ambassadeurs district — area around major embassies and international hotels; the closest equivalent to a secure zone in the capital, preferred by international workers and organizations.
• Farcha — northern residential district with lower foot traffic; somewhat removed from the most congested commercial areas, which reduces exposure to street crime, but nighttime movement should still be avoided.

EMERGENCY CONTACTS

• Canadian Embassy in N'Djamena — Canada maintains an embassy in N'Djamena; contact via Global Affairs Canada for current address and direct line, as operational details can change.
• Local police (Chad): 17
• Local fire/emergency: 18
• Government of Canada 24-hour emergency line: 1-800-387-3124 (toll-free from North America); +1-613-996-8885 (collect calls accepted from abroad)
• Registration of Canadians Abroad: travel.gc.ca/travelling/registration — register before departure so Canada can contact you in an emergency.