Travora
/ Chad
The secret Sahara, just two hours away
Chad is among the destinations a Senegalese passport reaches without a visa. The secret Sahara, just two hours away Here: visa, real budget, best seasons and what to do — departing from Senegal.
The visa, step by step
How to apply
No visa for a short tourist stay: show a valid passport and a return ticket on arrival.
Required documents
- Passport valid 6 months
- Return ticket
- Yellow fever certificate
Good to know
- •Visa-free tourist stay; confirm the exact allowed duration before departure.
A one-week budget
Round-trip flight from Douala / Yaoundé
450 000 FCFA–870 000 FCFAFlights from Dakar (Air Sénégal, ASKY, Ethiopian, Royal Air Maroc…), depending on the destination.
Indicative round-trip price: it varies widely by season, layover and how early you book.
Where the money goes (backpacker estimate)
Budget simulator
What to do there
The Lakes of Ounianga (UNESCO)
In the heart of the Sahara, a dozen blue and turquoise lakes survive in the open desert, listed as World Heritage. Reachable only by an organised 4x4 expedition from N'Djamena, it's one of Africa's most spectacular landscapes.
Safari in Zakouma National Park
About 860 km southeast of the capital, Zakouma is a preserved Sahelian ecosystem managed by African Parks: elephants, lions, giraffes and thousands of birds, with very few visitors. Game drives and guided walks from Tinga Camp.
Wander through N'Djamena
The capital, set on the Chari River, blends a bustling central market, the colonial-lined Avenue Charles-de-Gaulle, the grand mosque and the National Museum. A true immersion in Sahelian life.
Gaoui village and the Sao civilisation
About ten kilometres from N'Djamena, this village of painted mud houses holds a small museum dedicated to the ancient Sao civilisation, with pottery and archaeological remains.
The Ennedi Plateau
Further north, a maze of canyons, sandstone arches and millennia-old rock art (also UNESCO). The Guelta d'Archei and its desert crocodiles are a legendary stop on the great expeditions.
Sunset over the Chari
At day's end, the banks of the Chari River in N'Djamena offer a peaceful scene: fishing pirogues, birds and golden light, far from the bustle of the centre.
One week, day by day
- D1
Arrival in N'Djamena, settle in and first taste of the capital
- D2
N'Djamena: National Museum, grand mosque, central market and Avenue Charles-de-Gaulle
- D3
Excursion to Gaoui village and the Sao civilisation, back to the city
- D4
Departure for Zakouma National Park (charter flight or road with an operator)
- D5
Zakouma: morning and evening game drives, elephant and wildlife viewing
- D6
Zakouma: guided walk with a ranger, birds and final safaris
- D7
Return to N'Djamena, market shopping and flight back to Cameroon
Travel checklist
A printable list (or save as PDF) so you forget nothing.
Travel checklist — Tchad
Before you leave
What to pack
Indicative data (June 2026), reliability moyenne. Visa rules, prices and timelines change: always confirm with official sources before booking.
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