Tuesday, July 16, 2024
Reading Time: 5 minutesChad , a landlocked country in Central Africa, covering 496,000 square miles, making it the world’s 21st largest country. It features diverse landscapes, including the Sahara Desert in the north, the Sudanian Savanna in the south, and the semi-arid Sahel belt in between. The capital city, N’Djamena, lies at the junction of the Sahel and Savanna. Tourism is booming in Chad as visa-free policies have been relaxed for several countries.
With a population of around 15 million, Chad’s primary export earnings come from crude oil and cotton. Despite its extreme poverty, Chad offers a wealth of natural treasures and adventures for intrepid travelers.
Citizens of these Countries can travel to Chad visa-free:
Neighboring African Countries can visit chad such as Cameroon, Nigeria, Sudan, and the Central African Republic. Some business travelers visit Chad, especially those involved in the oil and gas industry, as the country has significant petroleum reserves.
Hotels In Chad :
1. Radisson Blu Hotel, N’Djamena:
A modern luxury hotel offering spacious rooms, excellent dining options, a fitness center, and an outdoor pool. Ideal for business and leisure travelers with its convenient location and high-end amenities.
2. La Residence Hotel:
A charming boutique hotel featuring cozy rooms, a serene garden, and personalized service. Perfect for those seeking a more intimate and relaxed stay in the heart of N’Djamena.
3. Ledger Plaza N’Djamena:
A prestigious hotel known for its elegant rooms, extensive conference facilities, and top-notch restaurants. It caters to business travelers and hosts significant events and meetings.
4. Novotel N’Djamena La Tchadienne:
A comfortable hotel offering a blend of modern amenities and traditional hospitality. It features well-appointed rooms, an outdoor pool, and various dining options, suitable for both business and family stays.
5. Hotel La Tchadienne:
A budget-friendly option with basic accommodations and essential amenities. It provides a convenient location for travelers looking for a simple and economical stay in N’Djamena.
Tourist Attraction spots of Chad :
Lake Chad is a vast body of water located on the western borders of Chad, though its size fluctuates with weather conditions. Once the world’s largest freshwater lake about 35 years ago, it has since drastically shrunk due to climate change and severe droughts. Despite this, it remains of immense economic and historical importance, providing water to nearly 75 million people across Chad, Cameroon, Niger, and Nigeria.
The lake is still a popular destination for fishing, boating, and other marine activities. It spills over into the neighboring countries, making it a significant multinational resource. The River Chari, originating in the highlands of the Central African Republic, flows northwest across Chad and into Lake Chad, supplying much of its water.
Tibesti Mountains
In the far north of Chad, where the Sahara Desert meets the sky, lie the Tibesti Mountains. This range extends into Libya but truly showcases its grandeur in Chad, featuring Emi Koussi, a shield volcano that rises to 3,445 meters, making it the highest point in the Sahara.
Situated in the domain of the Toubou people, the Tibesti Mountains are challenging to reach and explore but offer unique rewards for adventurous travelers. The area boasts numerous canyons, massive gravel plains, towering peaks, and forested spots. Popular activities include hiking, mountaineering, and camel race-viewing. Visitors can also explore ancient rock art and relax in the region’s hot thermal springs.
Chad National Museum
The Chad National Museum, known as Musée National N’Djamena, is located in the capital city, N’Djamena. Established in late 1962 and later relocated, the museum features four main exhibits: prehistory, protohistory, archives, and folk arts/traditions. Among its artifacts are stone heads, ancient implements, helve-holed axes, human masks, and bone tools from traditional sanctuaries.
A highlight of the museum is the skull of a Sahelanthropus, a distant human ancestor that lived in the region seven million years ago. This fossil, nicknamed “Toumai” (“Hope of Life” in the local Daza language), offers a fascinating glimpse into early human history.
Zakouma National Park
Located in southeastern Chad, Zakouma National Park is a premier safari destination and one of the last central refuges for wildlife in Africa. While Chad is not often promoted for safaris, the park is teeming with rare species of mammals and birds. Visitors can enjoy the best game viewing from the camping grounds, and the park also offers various accommodations, including restaurants and a hotel.
N’Djamena
N’Djamena, the capital and largest city of Chad, offers a unique blend of contemporary and traditional cultures. The western part of the city features colonial architecture and commercial areas surrounded by lush oases. In contrast, the eastern part is characterized by local neighborhoods with narrow alleyways. At the city’s heart is the Grand Mosque and the Grand Market, one of N’Djamena’s oldest districts, offering a wide variety of goods for consumers.
Special festivals of Chad :
New Year’s Day
January 1 is a national holiday in Chad, marked by fun, food, and festivities. All offices and shops are closed to celebrate the New Year.
National Day
Observed every April 13, National Day honors Chad’s independence. It is a day filled with national pride and celebration.
Labor Day
On May 1, Chad joins many other countries in celebrating Labor Day. Both government offices and private businesses close in observance of this holiday.
Liberation of Africa
May 25 commemorates Africa’s liberation from colonial Europe. This day is celebrated in various countries, including the UK, US, Tanzania, Spain, Kenya, and Ghana. The festivities include street marches, school lectures, and artistic rallies.
Independence Day
Chad’s Independence Day, celebrated annually on August 11, marks the country’s liberation from France.This public holiday features sports events and political assemblies, with delegates from around the world often visiting during this time.
Airports in Chad :
N’Djamena International Airport
The main gateway to Chad, located in the capital city. It serves international and domestic flights, with modern facilities and services.
Abeche Airport
A key regional airport in eastern Chad, facilitating domestic travel and connecting to N’Djamena. It supports both civilian and military operations.
Moundou Airport
Situated in the southwestern part of Chad, this airport serves the city of Moundou, handling domestic flights and aiding regional connectivity.
Sarh Airport
Located in southern Chad, this airport supports the city of Sarh with domestic flight services, enhancing local and regional transportation.
Airlines that come in Chad :
Airport Projects In Chad :
Airport development is rapidly increasing across Africa, driven by several factors boosting aviation demand on the continent. With the International Air Transport Association (IATA) forecasting a 5.1% growth in passenger numbers in the region by 2035, what are some of the most exciting African airport projects poised to drive this growth?
Africa’s aviation market struggled for decades due to underinvestment, mismanagement, and poor safety records. However, the early 2000s brought transformative changes initiated by regional and global development banks, including the World Bank and the International Finance Corporation. These changes fostered accountability, transparency, and attracted foreign investment.
In 2015, Tony Tyler, then director general of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), underscored aviation’s critical role in Africa, noting that it supports 6.9 million jobs and contributes $80 billion to GDP. Speaking at the IATA Africa-Middle East Aviation Day in Nairobi, Tyler also acknowledged ongoing challenges such as inadequate regulation, poor safety oversight, costly infrastructure, and restrictive air-service agreements.
This potential was further recognized with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between IATA and the African Airline Association (AFRAA) this year. The MoU commits both organizations to collaborate on capacity-building projects, promote regional air connectivity, and encourage data exchange among aviation stakeholders to advance the sector.
One of the standout projects contributing to this growth is the New Addis Ababa International Airport.
Tourism projects In Chad :
LETTER FROM N’DJAMENA
With the Chadian flag proudly displayed, Nassour Ali Kendy gazed at the sunset from the cliff overlooking the Gauthiot Falls in Zah Soo National Park in southwestern Chad. Despite the modest 45-meter drop, his enthusiasm was undiminished. “This is our hidden jewel!” exclaimed the coordinator of the Chad Volunteers Organization, a group devoted to showcasing the country’s natural heritage. Named in English, the organization harbors the ambitious hope of transforming Chad into an international tourist destination.
Since gaining independence in 1960, Chad, strategically positioned at the crossroads of the Sahel and Central Africa, has been marred by conflicts and plagued by armed rebellions. This tumultuous history has earned it a reputation for violence and instability, deterring potential foreign tourists.