Chad Tours and Travel

YPT Tours to Chad

Step off the beaten track and book one of our Chad tours. This is not a destination for the ordinary traveler – it’s for the curious, the bold, and those who yearn for something different. But if you’re here, browsing YPT’s website, you probably fit the description!

Chad is where the vast Sahara meets the Sahel, and is thus a country of contrasts, from the rock formations and canyons of the Ennedi Plateau, a UNESCO World Heritage site, to the Tibesti Mountains. Due to its distance from the sea and its largely desert climate, the country is sometimes referred to as the “Dead Heart of Africa”. Of course, the waters of Lake Chad will be part of your trip, as they are the lifeline for countless communities.

For wildlife enthusiasts, Zakouma National Park offers safari opportunities, elephants, giraffes, and flocks of migratory birds. Our Chad Tours also take in N’Djamena, the young capital of the country, where you can visit the Chad National Museum, the Al-Mouna Cultural Center, Our Lady of Peace Cathedral, and several mosques.

Here, you won’t be just a tourist—you’ll be a rare and welcomed guest. Chad isn’t easy, but that’s its charm. For those willing to embrace its challenges, the rewards are endless.

Group Tours to Chad

Chad tours are offered every September by YPT. It is linked to our trip to Niger, for the Guerewol Festival, where the Wodaabe people celebrate beauty and courtship with dance, music, and vibrant displays of identity.

Chad Essential Tour – September 18^th – 20^th, 2025 – €1495

Chad Essential Tour

Independent Tours to Chad

Having ran Chad tours for several years, Young Pioneer Tours have developed a deep relationship with local partners and guides. As such we can arrange independent and bespoke travel packages, no matter what you’re looking for: a simple visit of N’Djamena, an exploration of the country’s UNESCO World Heritage sites, a safari in the Zakouma National Park, or a few days around Lake Chad. Prices depend on the number of people and what level of accommodation you desire, but YPT can arrange everything you need for perfect independent Chad tours.

Example of an Express Chad Itinerary (4 days)

Day 1 – N’Djamena – Ngueli

Arrival in N’Djamena, the capital of Chad with an airport pick-up
Overnight stay in N’Djamena

Day 2 – N‘Djamena – Hajer Lamis – Douguiya

We leave N’Djamena and cross the desert plains to Hajer Lamis. This area is close to Lake Chad, where many nomads are.
Highlight: Upon arrival, you’ll see Elephant Rock, a big stone mass in the form of an elephant!
Drive to Douguiya, an old hunting camp next to the Chari River.
Watch daily life around this remote part of Chad.
Overnight stay in our camp in Douguiya.

Day 3 – N’Djamena – Koundoul – Gaoui

In the morning we’ll drive back to N’Djamena and do a city tour, highlights include the Cathedral, Great Mosque, and the artisanal center.
We visit the National Museum.
Drive to the Chari-Baguirmi region, southeast of N’Djamena.
Meet the nomadic Arabs in Koundoul.
Highlight: In the afternoon we continue to Gaoui. This village is said to have been the capital of Sao Civilization (a race of giants in local folklore), it is known for its traditional architecture and pottery made by local women.
Return to N’Djamena.

Day 4 – Departure

Airport drop-off
End of the tour.

Bespoke Chad Tours

We are able to offer the following bespoke Chad tours. Should what you are looking for not be on this list, please get in touch to see if we can fix it for you.

Ennedi Plateau Visit

Our bespoke Chad tours can include the Ennedi Plateau, a UNESCO World Heritage site in the heart of the Sahara Desert. It boasts beautiful sandstone formations, ancient rock art, and desert oasis. It includes sites such as the iconic Arch of Aloba, the Guelta d’Archei (a desert waterhole frequented by camel caravans and home to rare desert crocodiles), and the towering sandstone cathedrals of Terkei.

The Guerewol Festival

One of the most colorful cultural events in Africa, the Guerewol Festival, is included in our Niger Tours, but as it is a nomadic event, it can also take place in Chad. This traditional courtship celebration of the Wodaabe people showcases elaborate costumes, intricate face painting, and hypnotic dancing.

Zakouma National Park Safari

The Zakouma National Park is one of Africa’s most impressive wildlife refuges. It is home to thriving populations of elephants, lions, giraffes, and a vast variety of birdlife. As this is quite far from the capital N’Djamena (about a day of driving), this is one of Africa’s least-visited wilderness areas. Perfect for nature enthusiasts and photographers looking for an off-the-beaten-path safari.

Lake Chad Exploration

Lake Chad, a vital resource in one of the world’s harshest regions, gave its name to the country. This tour will allow you to understand the environmental challenges and cultural importance of the lake, with visits to fishing villages, wetlands, and migratory bird habitats. You can also do boat excursions or even do kayaking on the lake.

The Tibesti Mountains

In the remote Tibesti Mountains, you’ll see some of the Sahara’s most dramatic volcanic landscapes and Africa’s highest desert peak, Emi Koussi. This adventurous tour combines trekking, cultural encounters with the Tubu people, and explorations of ancient petroglyphs.

Filming in Chad Tour

Through our media arm Pioneer Media we can make arrangements for productions, journalists, or others to film within Chad from big-budget to guerrilla productions. We can also arrange meetings in country, as well as correct visas for journalists wishing to do projects within Chad.

Frequently asked Questions about travel to Chad

Do I need a visa to travel to Chad?

Visitors to Chad must obtain a visa from one of the Chad Embassy or Diplomatic Mission unless they come from one of the visa exempt countries (Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Togo, United Arab Emirates).

No Chadian visa can be issued at the border. However, an evisa program (https://evisa.td/) was launched on December 11th 2024 in a bid to increase tourism. The price of a short-stay multiple-entry electronic visa valid for 90 days is €100.

Is Chad safe for tourists?

While we team up with extremely competent and knowledgeable local partners, it is important to remember that Chad is still unstable in parts. Our partners will always make sure that the places we are visiting are safe at the time we visit them. Sometimes, this means that the itinerary must be changed. Please understand that this is always done with your safety and the safety of the group in mind.

What currency is used in Chad?

The official currency in Chad is Central African CFA Franc, the currency of six independent states in Central Africa: Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon. The Central African CFA Franc is pegged to the euro at €1 = F.CFA 655.957. Exchange rates with other currencies, such as the USD or GBP, vary according to the strength of those currencies versus the Euro.

ATMs are very rare and only some hotels in N’Djamena accept credit cards. Bring enough cash to cover your needs.

Are there any health precautions I should take before traveling to Chad?

Proof of yellow fever vaccination is required for entry into Chad. Ensure you are also up-to-date with routine vaccines like MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), polio, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis, and influenza. Hepatitis A and B vaccines are recommended due to potential exposure through food, water, or medical procedures.

Chad is a high-risk malaria zone. Consult your healthcare provider about prophylactic medications like atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, or mefloquine, and use insect repellent containing DEET, wear long-sleeved clothing, and sleep under insecticide-treated bed nets.

What is the local etiquette and customs in Chad?

Chad is a Muslim country. Both men and women should dress modestly, especially when visiting religious sites. For women, this means covering shoulders and knees. Loose, comfortable clothing is ideal for the warm climate.

Same-sex relationships aren't legal and public displays of affection must be avoided, regardless of your sexual orientation.

Locals are often reluctant to be photographed, so always ask before taking a picture.

Penalties for using drugs are severe. Chad is one of the most corrupt countries in the world and bribery and nepotism are commonplace. Do not expect any kind of reliable assistance from Chadian law enforcement in case of trouble or if you are victim of a crime.

Alcohol consumption is frowned upon in most rural areas but accepted in the south of the country and in N’Djamena.

Is it possible to use a SIM card for mobile communication in Chad?

In Chad, there is WiFi at the hotels, but it won’t be the most stable connection. Mobile Internet accessibility is limited but increasing. N’Djamena is covered by 3G/4G signals, but the coverage is worse in smaller cities. Social media websites are sometimes blocked by the authorities and not accessible without a VPN.

If you wish to have spotty internet during your stay, you can purchase an e-sim from the Airalo app, which is easy to use and offers connectivity in most destinations: https://airalo.tp.st/gbmp7zka

Why travel to Chad with Young Pioneer Tours?

Having been going to the country for several years and having a network of local partners on the ground, YPT ensure a safe trip as well as bringing you to some very cool places. We have in-depth knowledge of Chad, its culture, hidden gems, and off-the-beaten-path adventures and can navigate the language barrier and ensure a smooth and culturally sensitive experience.