Chad, a landlocked country in Central Africa, offers a unique and often overlooked travel experience. Despite being one of the lesser-known countries, Chad is safe and welcoming, with a wealth of attractions waiting to be discovered. From the vast Sahara Desert to diverse cultural sites, Chad promises an unforgettable adventure for intrepid travelers.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office may have reservations, but on-ground experts in Africa welcome you to experience Chad's unparalleled beauty and cultural richness. Chad is a diverse country, with landscapes ranging from the Sahara Desert in the north to the Sudanian Savanna in the south, with the semi-arid Sahel belt in between.
Topography of Chad
Natural Wonders
The Sahara Desert and Tibesti Mountains
Head to the far north of Chad, and you find a place where the Sahara Desert reaches for the heavens. This is the Tibesti Mountains - which sprawl across the border into Libya, but save their song-and-dance moment for Chad in the form of Emi Koussi, a shield volcano that rears to 3,445m.
The Tibesti Mountains are a mountainous range situated in the domain of the Toubou people in the extreme north of Chad. It is quite difficult to reach and explore this region but it does have unorthodox rewards for adventure and thrill-seeking travelers. The place boasts a large number of canyons, massive gravels, humungous peaks and forested spots. Hiking and mountaineering are popular activities in the region.
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Ennedi Plateau
Away in the east of the country, towards the border with Sudan (Located in the middle of Sahara Desert is the Ennedi Region: a harsh landscape home to some of the most remarkable and unusual rock formations in the world).
The Ennedi Plateau is another Chadian geological wonder. The flat trajectory is dominated by jagged canyons and stone arches that wind up like natural works of art. Prehistoric cave paintings depict the times when primeval caravans trespassed through this region. Its landscape sculpted into rugged spires, pillars and columns of rock that are not wholly dissimilar to the monoliths more famously found far across the Atlantic in Utah.
Ennedi Plateau
Lake Chad
One reason is Lake Chad, the vast body of water which is not always vast (it has been known to shrink and grow according to weather conditions). Located on the country’s western borders, Lake Chad used to be the world’s largest freshwater lake in its heyday that was some 35 years ago.
It is of huge economic and historical importance as it provides water to nearly 75 million people belonging to 4 different countries that surround it. Drastic climate changes and severe droughts have shrunk the lake to a fraction of its former size and grandeur.
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Lakes of Ounianga
Chad’s sole World Heritage Site, the Lakes of Ounianga is a series of 18 lakes in Sahara. The total area spanned by the lakes is around 20 square kilometers. They are located in a hot desert and are supplied by underground fossil water. The names of the lakes are copied from a nearby native village called Ounianga.
Zakouma National Park
Lying in the southeastern part of the country, Zakouma National Park is a prime location for safari and is one of the last central refuges for wildlife in Africa. Although Chad is rarely promoted as a safari destination, the Park is brimming with rare species of mammals and birds and accommodation services are provided in form of camping grounds that provide the best game viewing area.
Zakouma National Park
Chari River
Chari River flows from the Central African Republic into the Lake Chad and joined by its principal tributaries. The city of Douguia receives much of its tourist audience because of Chari River which is a popular hotspot. The river supports an important sector in fishing industry and amongst the famous marine activities is taking a boat trip in a traditional canoe along the Chari River.
Guelta d’Archei
Guelta d’Archei is the most renowned canyon in the Sahara desert. It is situated in the Ennedi Plateau near the town of Fada. The panoramic scenery offered by its tallest spot is absolutely fabulantous and embedded artworks on ancient walls provide a medieval feel to the region. The region is dominated by several kinds of animals, most notably the Nile crocodiles.
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Cultural and Historical Sites
N’Djamena
N’Djamena is the capital and largest city in Chad and almost depicts two different cities in one. It boasts a beautiful blend of contemporary and prehistoric cultural norms. The western part of the city is dominated by colonial architecture and commercial premises surrounded by green-lidded oasis. The eastern part contains the native localities cramped by narrow alleyways.
Musée National N’Djamena
Musée National N’Djamena is the national museum of Chad located in the capital city of N’Djamena. The complex was established in late 1962 and transferred to a whole different location. It had four fundamental exhibits ranging from prehistory, protohistory, archives and folk arts/traditions. The artifacts and medieval items include stone heads, implements and helve-holed axes from ancient ages. This is home to a skull of a sahelanthropus, a distant precursor to humanity that lived in the region seven million years ago.
Abeche
Abeche is a cultural and an ethnographic center of Chad and is the fourth largest city in the country. The city boasts remnants of ancient fortresses, structures, and tombs of former sultans that ruled Chad in previous ages. The city is an important cattle-raising complex and has major roads connecting it to N’djamena as well as to Sudan and Abeche Airport. It has been a stronghold for the French for a large number of years and was used as a trade route for Arabian slaves.
Discover Chad: A Journey Through Culture, Economy and Landscapes
Volunteering in Chad
As far as Chad volunteer travel opportunities are concerned you’ll have to decide just what you’re into. Go Volunteer Africa places volunteers with a number of volunteer programs in Chad that provide economic support, education, capacity building for rural, semi-urban people and healthcare support across Chad. To start the process fill Volunteer application form and submit it for consideration and book your placement.
Chad's Key Tourist Attractions
| Attraction | Description |
|---|---|
| Lake Chad | Vast body of water with significant economic and historical importance. |
| Tibesti Mountains | Mountainous range with canyons, peaks, and forests, ideal for hiking. |
| Ennedi Plateau | Geological wonder with canyons, stone arches, and prehistoric cave paintings. |
| Zakouma National Park | Prime location for safari and wildlife viewing. |
| Lakes of Ounianga | Series of 18 lakes in the Sahara Desert, a World Heritage Site. |
| N'Djamena | Capital city with a blend of colonial and native cultural influences. |
| Musée National N’Djamena | National museum with exhibits on prehistory, protohistory, and folk arts. |
| Chari River | River supporting the fishing industry and offering boat trips. |
| Guelta d’Archei | Renowned canyon in the Sahara with ancient artworks and Nile crocodiles. |
| Abeche | Cultural center with remnants of ancient fortresses and tombs. |
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