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Camels in the mountain deserts of Chad

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Things to see and do in Chad

Abéché

A former capital of the powerful Ouadaï sultanate, and surrounded by desert, this town has retained much of its oriental charm, with interesting mosques, cobbled narrow streets and old markets.

Camel racing

Catch a glimpse of some of the best camel racing in the world in the Tibesti Mountains, home of the fierce Toubou tribe. The inhabitants are distantly related to the Tuareg of the Western Sahara. This astonishing region of chasms and crags has seldom been seen by non-Muslims and remains closed to travellers, so is best watched from afar. It is not be difficult to look out for, since it contains Emi Koussi, a high peak, 3,414m (11,200ft) above sea level.

Lake Chad

Lake Chad must be seen, not only because 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 at its best during the August to December period, when the water level is highest and the occasional hippo or crocodile can be seen drifting by.

N'Djaména

Chad's capital is slowly regaining its pre-war reputation as one of Central Africa's liveliest cities. Bullet holes in buildings serve as a reminder of troubled times, but the atmosphere here is increasingly upbeat.

National Museum

The museum features collections of the Sarh culture dating back to the ninth century. There is a distinctive difference between the Arab section of town (very quiet at night) and the area where the southerners live (lively and full of bars).

Sip a cold beer

Take a glug of Moundou's beer from the Gala Brewery - some of the best in the country.

Wander N'Djaména's historic quarter

The historic quarter, with its colourful daily market, is fascinating and a good place to pick up colourful Chadian rugs and jewellery.

Zakouma National Park

Zakouma National Park is Located on an immense plain, across which the Bahr Salamat and its tributaries flow from north to south. The government and the EU have restocked and refurbished the park since it was ravaged by civil war and poachers. Visitors can now see huge flocks of elephants, giraffes and lions.

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