Last updated: 20 Oct 2025

Chad

hotel

Accommodation

About

There is much to recommend in Chad. Its capital, N'Djamena, is a friendly and laid-back city with a wonderful Central Market, where the whole experience of haggling for African produce is exceptionally good fun. Zakouma National Park is located on an immense plain, across which the Bahr Salamat and its tributaries flow from north to south.

Lake Chad must be seen, not only since it was once the centre of Africa’s lucrative salt trade and one of the largest freshwater lakes in the world, but also because you may be running out of time to see it: Lake Chad is shrinking. The lake is best seen during the August to December period, when the water level is highest and the occasional hippo or crocodile can be seen drifting by.

Catch a glimpse of some of the best camel racing in the world in the Tibesti Mountains, home of the fierce Toubou tribe.
Capital:  N’Djamena (NDJ)
Currency:  Central African CFA Franc (XAF)
Language:  French and Arabic. English is not widely spoken.
Dialling code from SA:  + 235
Time Zones: UTC / GMT +1 (1 hour behind South Africa)
Side of the Road: Right
Best Time to Go: November – May (winter and spring)
Best for: Safari
Plugs: 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Round two-pin plugs are used.
Drinking Water: All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated. Milk is unpasteurised.
Health: Medical facilities are very limited. It is advisable to carry basic medical supplies.  Comprehensive health insurance is recommended and it should include emergency air evacuation coverage.  If you require any medication on your travels it is best to bring it with you, in the original packaging, with a signed and dated letter from your doctor detailing exactly what it is and why you need it.
Customs: In the Muslim areas, dress should be conservative and respect to religious customs should be shown.  Smoking and drinking in public is frowned upon. The right hand must be used for the giving or receiving of food or objects and the soles of feet should not be shown. 
Local Offences / Laws: All photography requires a permit. It is illegal to photograph military sites, airports and official installations. Identification should be carried at all times.There may be a curfew in place.
Travel Tips / Warnings: Check the local political situation before finalising travel plans. Travel outside the capital requires 4 wheel drive, but road travel is not safe and often restricted by the government.  Credit cards may be accepted at major hotels, but  do not have a wide use in Chad.
Duty Free: The following goods may be imported into Chad by persons over 18 years of age without incurring customs duty:
• 400 cigarettes (or cigarillos) or 125 cigars or 500g of tobacco (women are permitted to import cigarettes only).
• 3 bottles of wine and 1 bottle of spirits.
• 1,000 cigarettes or 250 cigars or 1kg of tobacco.

Issuing Authorities

Embassy of the Republic of Chad
157 Banket Street, Cnr Dely Road & Club Avenue, Waterkloof, Pretoria
Tel: 087 898 0032
E-mail: ambpretoria1122@gmail.com
Web: www.chadembassy.co.za

Monday to Thursday: 09:00 - 16:00
Friday: 09h00 - 13:00

SUBMISSION AND COLLECTION OF VISAS: 
Monday – Thursday from 9:30 to 11:30 am
Visa office is closed on Fridays

 

Public Holidays 2025: Jan 1; Mar 8, 31; Apr 21; May 1; Jun 7; Aug 11; Sep 5; Nov 1, 28; Dec 1, 25

Public Holidays 2026: Jan 1; Mar 8-9, 20; Apr 6; May 1, 27; Aug 11, 26; Nov 1, 28; Dec 1, 25

Visa Requirements

Visas are required by South African passport holders.

Tourist Visa: 

  • Application form fully completed
  • Employment letter from employer (on the Company letterhead)
  • An invitation letter from Chad
  • An Introductory letter presenting yourself (Full names, Nationality, Physical address in South Africa, Work address in South Africa) and indicating the purpose of your visit and the duration of your stay in Chad.
  • Proof of accommodation or hotel from Chad
  • 2 passport size photos ( colour, recent )
  • Passport (Valid for 6 months)
  • Copy of passport
  • Copy of return ticket or confirmed flight booking
  • Copy of Yellow Fever Certificate
  • Proof of means of subsistence
  • Compulsory Covid-19 vaccine certificate or a rapid Covid-19 test with a negative result on application
  • Compulsory Covid-19 PCR test with Negative result OR a vaccination booklet with complete vaccine (Fully vaccinated with all doses received). Either of these is to be presented upon arrival in Chad.

Business Visa: 

  • Application form fully completed
  • Employment letter from employer (on the Company letterhead)
  • Proof of accommodation or hotel from Chad
  • An invitation letter from Chad
  • 2 passport-size photos ( colour, recent )
  • Passport (Valid for six (06) months)
  • Copy of passport
  • Copy of return ticket or confirmed flight booking
  • Copy of Yellow Fever Certificate
  • Proof of means of subsistence
  • Compulsory Covid-19 vaccine certificate or a rapid Covid-19 test with a negative result on application
  • Compulsory Covid-19 PCR test with Negative result OR a vaccination booklet with complete vaccine (Fully vaccinated with all doses received).  Either of these is to be presented upon arrival in Chad.

 

Visa Processing Time

Normal: 5 working days, excluding Fridays
Urgent: 2 working days, excluding Fridays

Visa Cost

Tourist / Business Visa: R1400
Urgent Processing: R1600

Cash only. 

SA Representative

SA Embassy in Chad
Quartier Mardjan Daffac,1124 Rue 3035, Ave Gaourang, N’Djaména, Chad
Tel: + 235 66 43 08 68/69

Travel Health

Compulsory:  Yellow Fever 
Recommended:  Hepatitis A & B, Meningitis, Rabies, Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio
  Malaria Risk