Packing list for Chad, travel insurance for Chad and taking your belongings

What to take to Chad: brief

To pack and check:

• Documents and money: a passport that is valid for at least 6 months, with a valid visa, plus copies of your passport, visa, travel insurance and vaccination certificates. The Central African CFA franc (XAF) is the currency in Chad, and it is important to bring enough cash with you and keep it in different places. There are few ATMs, and credit cards are likely to be accepted only at larger hotels in N'Djamena.
• Clothing: lightweight, breathable clothing such as cotton and linen. Covering your shoulders and knees kills two birds with one stone: Chad is predominantly a Muslim country, and covering your skin also helps protect you against mosquitoes. Nights in the Sahara can get quite cold, especially during the cooler season, so a fleece or warm sweater is an essential item too.
• Shoes: sturdy, closed shoes for unpaved roads and desert areas. Sandals are comfortable in cities and at accommodation, but in the desert it is better to wear shoes that properly protect your feet from hot sand.
• Toiletries and hygiene: high-SPF sunscreen, lip balm, hand sanitiser and wet wipes.
• Packing and protecting your belongings: a dustproof cover or dry bag for your electronics when travelling in the Sahara, and a rain cover for your backpack to protect your belongings during the rainy season in the south (May to October).
• Insects and animals: a strong insect repellent containing picaridin or DEET.
• Sleeping: an impregnated mosquito net and, optionally, a sleeping bag liner for basic accommodation or camping trips.
• Medication and travel first aid kit: a well-stocked first aid kit with ORS, plasters, blister plasters, painkillers, disinfectant, anti-diarrhoea medication and personal medication.
• Outdoor and useful items: a large reusable water bottle with a filter, sunglasses and a sun hat or cap.
• Technology and equipment: a universal travel adapter for Type D, E and F sockets. A headlamp and power bank are important because the electricity supply can be unreliable.
• Safety and theft: always carry a copy of your passport; you need to be able to identify yourself. Photography is also a sensitive subject, as a government permit from the relevant ministry is required for photography, while photographing airports, military locations and government buildings is prohibited in any case.

To consider:

• A wide scarf or buff to protect against sand, dust and sun.
• A water filter or water purification tablets.
• French and Arabic are important languages, while English is of limited use outside the tourism sector. Learning a few words of French or Arabic beforehand can give your trip a nice boost.
• A good dose of flexibility for the long distances, limited infrastructure and the fact that plans can easily change.
• Some knowledge of local customs and Ramadan. During Ramadan, for example, eating, drinking or smoking in public during the day is generally not appreciated.

Are there mosquitoes in Chad?

• Yes, and this is something you really want to take into account when packing. Chad has a high risk of malaria and mosquitoes occur throughout the year. The risk is not exactly the same everywhere: in the northern Sahara, mosquitoes are less prominent than in the south, where the climate is wetter and more tropical. There is also a risk of other mosquito-borne diseases.
• A combination of covering clothing, DEET or picaridin and a mosquito net is important for protecting yourself.
• More about protection against mosquitoes and insects.

Are there sandflies in Chad?

• Yes. Sandflies can occur in dry and semi-arid areas. They are mainly active around dusk and at night. Some sandflies can transmit leishmaniasis.
• Insect repellent containing DEET or picaridin also helps protect against sandflies, while covering clothing that extends down to your ankles is the finishing touch.
• More about sandflies and sand fleas.

Are DEET, or other insect repellents, available in Chad?

• In N'Djamena, insect repellents are sometimes available at pharmacies and shops, but you cannot rely on a large or consistent supply.
• Bringing your own is definitely the better option. Take enough for the entire trip and preferably choose a product that you already know your skin tolerates well.
• More about DEET.

Is it legal to buy a joint or weed in Chad, or bring it with you to Chad?

• No. Cannabis is strictly illegal in all forms in Chad. Possession, use and trafficking of illegal drugs can result in long prison sentences and heavy fines.
• You risk a lengthy prison sentence if you bring cannabis to Chad, even if you are travelling from a country where cannabis is legal or decriminalised.