N'Djamena
Not been yet
The UK Foreign Office currently advises against travel to all or parts of Chad. This guide is for a safer time. Check the latest travel advice.
At a glance
- Country
- Chad
- Region
- N'Djamena
- Population
- 1.5 million
- Best time to go
- November to February
- Main airport
- N'Djamena International (NDJ)
- Coordinates
- 12.13°N, 15.06°E
Visited Still to go Click a pin or country to read more. Zoom with + and −, a double-click or a pinch.
Overview
Chad's capital sits where the Logone river joins the Chari, on the edge of the Sahel and right on the border with Cameroon. It is a low, sprawling city of wide avenues, sandy side streets and riverside gardens, hot for much of the year.
Chad has faced long periods of insecurity, and this guide is written for a future, safer time. Then, the city's markets and river would make a good start to journeys towards some of Africa's wildest landscapes.
Things to see
-
Photo: Korom10, CC BY 4.0 Grand Mosque
The city's largest mosque, with tall twin minarets, stands near the central market.
-
Photo: Matarimi1, CC0 Chad National Museum
Collections covering the country's prehistory, cultures and crafts, including finds from the Sahara.
Tickets and tours -
Photo: Korom10, CC BY 4.0 Grand Marché
The central market is a maze of fabrics, spices, leatherwork and silver jewellery from across Chad.
-
Chari riverfront
The river is at its loveliest at dusk, when fishermen pole their boats past sandbanks and gardens.
Things to do
-
Photo: Fatakaya, CC BY-SA 4.0 Zakouma National Park
One of Africa's great conservation success stories, with herds of elephants, buffalo and rich birdlife.
Find tours -
Photo: Desertman, CC BY-SA 3.0 Ennedi Plateau
Far to the north-east, sandstone arches, canyons and ancient rock art rise out of the Sahara.
-
Photo: Gerhard Holub, CC BY-SA 4.0 Sweet tea and grilled meat
Evenings revolve around small glasses of sweet tea and skewers of grilled meat at street stalls.
Where to stay
City centre
Close to ministries, the market and the established hotels.
Hotels in City centreRiverside
Hotels along the Chari offer gardens, views and slightly cooler evenings.
Hotels in Riverside
Getting around
Taxis and a trusted local driver are the best way to get about. Always ask before photographing people, and never photograph government or military sites.
The airport is close to the city centre, a short taxi ride away.
When to go
November to February is the most comfortable period, warm and dry, though the dusty harmattan wind can haze the sky. March to June is extremely hot, and the rains fall from July to September.
Plan your trip to N'Djamena
Guide last checked October 2026. Opening times and prices change, so check before you go.