Djamena Travel Guide

  Avenue Charles de Gaulle
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  • Avenue Charles de Gaulle
      Avenue Charles de Gaulle
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  • Central Market
      Central Market
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  • Airport in N'Djamena
      Airport in N'Djamena
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Explore Djamena

Things to Do  

The marché centrale
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Central Market

N'Djamenas central market is a must! Located next to the grande mosque, it sprawls over a big area. The building on the picture is only a small part of the market. The vendors sell their stuff in stalls in the whole quartier south and east of the mosque.
It is very pleasant to walk around the colorful nmarket scene. Take enough time to strumble around the area!

Written May 19, 2003

Related to:
 Budget Travel
 Architecture
 Backpacking

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Hotels  

Novotel: Close to the airport.......wow!

Novotel: Close to the airport.......wow!, Djamena

 Guardian624 Says:  Standard hotel, with bar, 2 restaurants. Outside they have a big pool, 2 tennis courts. Rooms are average, but decent. Air conditioners, TV with French channels. Breakfast by the pool....comes with the room charge. It was a nice start to the day....simple breakfast,... 

Transportation  

Flying into Chad
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Airport in N'Djamena

There is an aiport in N'Djamena with international conections.

Some companies flying to Chad are:

-Ethiopian Airlines
-Air France
-Cameroon Airlines

Written May 19, 2003

Related to:
 Hiking and Walking
 Budget Travel

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A 4X4 kind of town
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N'Djamena's main roads are paved, but there are many unpaved/dirt roads. Most everyone uses 4 wheel drive vehicles (lots of Toyotas and Land Cruisers). During rainy season many roads are more like swamps.

Written Aug 31, 2002

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Warnings and Dangers  

Are you here for the coup?
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I'm not sure if the Chadian government has a need to be so paranoid, but apparently the guards in front of the Presidential Compound (along the Chari River, just a bit south of the airport) have fired upon cars/trucks that stop out in front of the compound. A bad place to get a flat tire!!! No other major dangers/threats, but take care when out at night.

Written Aug 31, 2002

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Tourist Traps  

Artisan's Corner
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A short walk from the Novotel is an "Artisan's Corner" with some of the area's examples of art, trinkets, and souveniers, the usual stuff. Be careful if you walk to this place....there have been a few muggings of customers.

Unique Suggestions: If you have to go, go in a car or with someone you trust.

Written Aug 31, 2002

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What to Pack  

A visa in your passport!!!!
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Luggage and bags: Secured luggage is advised. Keeps prying eyes out of your dirty laundry and other things you wouldn't want to lose.

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: Lots of mosquitos......anti-malaria meds are practically required.

Photo Equipment: CAUTION!!! The Chadian gov't has some rather draconian laws regarding photography. I think you have to obtain a monthly permit to take any pictures!!

Miscellaneous: A Chadian visa is required to enter Chad. On my flight into N'Djamena, I think they mentioned that fact three times!

Written Feb 25, 2003

Related to:
 Business Travel

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Favorites  

Black gold, Texas Tea!
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Favorite thing: Oil was recently discovered in Chad, and the major oil companies are in the process of moving in to the tune of $3 billion dollars!! If things go well, Chad stands to dramatically improve and modernize.

Fondest memory: All of the locals I met were very nice and friendly. Oh, however, I've never seen so many bugs anywhere in the world. Wow. My hotel room came with a can of bug spray!! Very impressive and very useful!!

Written Feb 25, 2003

Related to:
 Business Travel

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Map of Djamena