The capital of Chad - N'Djamena: sights, photos, reviews

For most of us, the African continent is familiar in Egypt and Tunisia. But there are other states that deserve attention. Mass tourism has not yet gained momentum, the developed tourism industry is not there, but, despite the individual difficulties that may arise, a trip to these countries will be filled with vivid impressions. We suggest you make a virtual trip to Chad, the state in Central Africa. The capital of this country, N'Djamena, is very original. Walk on it will surprise you. In the city and its environs there are many interesting, and sometimes unique sights, the visit of which will be remembered for life.

Location

The State of Chad is located in Central Africa, surrounded by countries such as Niger, Cameroon, Nigeria, Libya, Sudan and the Central African Republic. There are no exits to the ocean or the sea from Chad. In the north, the country adjoins the Sahara Desert. There are very few sources of water here, and those that are are seasonal. In the south there are many small and large rivers, there are lakes. The capital of Chad is located in the southwestern part of the state, on the banks of the Shari River, not far from the place where Logon falls into it, very close to the border with Cameroon. The city has an international airport, so it's not difficult to get here from Russia. A visa is required.

A short excursion into the history

In Chad, people lived several thousand years ago. In confirmation of this, the skull of the most ancient man on Earth was found here. At the end of the XIV century, the Borno state was formed near the Shari River. It was founded by the inhabitants of Kanem, who fled after the defeat of their country by nomadic tribes. In Borno, among other things, engaged in the slave trade. At the very end of the XIX century, it was won by the Sudanese military leader Rabih-az-Zubair, who managed to manage it for seven years. In 1900, this part of the land attracted the French, who with the help of arms expanded their influence in Africa. Near the city of Kusseri a battle ensued, as a result of which Rabich was captured and beheaded. The French won, but also suffered losses. On their side, one of the commanders, François Lamy, was killed. It happened on April 22, and on May 29 opposite Kusseri, on the other shore of Shari, laid the first stone of the new city - Fort Lamy. This name was the capital of Chad for 73 years, and only then it was renamed N'Djamena, which means "resting place". For all its short history, N'Djamena has been a participant of military conflicts many times. The last occurred in 2008. And although everything is quiet now, and the locals are good-natured and smiling, they have a lot of weapons in their hands, which must be taken into account by our tourists.

Where to stay

Numerous military actions and not entirely favorable climate have served to the fact that Chad became one of the poorest states in Africa. The capital, N'Djamena, is its largest city with almost a million inhabitants. But even here there is not an abundance of modern high-rise buildings and a developed infrastructure relying on the capitals. Even with hotels here, let's say, not thick. For the whole city there are only a few four- and five-star hotels. The rooms in some rooms correspond to the European category "3 stars" and lower, and the price for the room is a minimum of 100 euros per night. There are also a couple of hostels in N'Djamena, where prices are two times lower, but it is not recommended to be populated there. The hotels Kempinski, Le Meridien, Le Sakhel are well-marked by tourists.

Food

The capital of Chad, N'Djamena, can not offer a wide choice of first-class restaurants. But among the available there are even Chinese, where, like almost everywhere in the capital, they serve pork dishes. In general, Chad cooks a variety of delicious dishes from rice, potatoes, corn, cassava, millet, sorghum, beans. Particularly popular are meat and river fish, for example, nile perch, tilapia, okra . Fish here are salted, dried, smoked, roasted on charcoal and cooked in exotic spices. You can have a snack not only in restaurants, but also just on the street, where a brisk merchant bakes on your coals on the coals you like and likes it with the sauce you have chosen. Being in N'Djamena, it's worth to try a salad (it goes well with beer), gang, gumbo sauce, pasta "boule". Of drinks here, everywhere familiar drink karkade, but make it with various condiments (cinnamon, vanilla, cloves). This is called "karkandji". Of alcoholic beverages in N'Djamena, local beer is popular, which is not exported. Therefore, you can try it only in Chad. Lovers of vitamins will certainly like the fruit cocktail "jus de fruit", in which, in addition to fresh fruits, there is milk and cardamom. In general, in Chad, their fruits are grown poorly due to the harsh climate. Basically it's dates and raisins. The bulk of the rest is imported, because of which the prices for them are higher than in Moscow.

Walking through the streets of the capital

The capital of Chad, the name N'Djamena received from a nearby small village. It happened under President Tombalbay, zealously pursuing the policy of Afrikanization in the country. He, in turn, was also killed. Now Idris Deby is always in power here. Before independence, Chad was a French colony, so many streets and squares wore French names. Now there are not many of these, among them there is, for example, Charles de Gaulle Avenue. This is one of the central streets with embassies, several banks, new offices and beautiful modern houses. It stretches to the circle-area, which bears the name of Sultan Kasser. The general appearance of the street is quite pleasant, as in almost every building the first floor is made with arcades, that is, the architecture is given the appearance of completeness. But the farther from the center, the views of the capital are becoming sadder. Modern stone houses gradually replace the old adobe, and on the outskirts they are replaced by huts covered with reeds. Nevertheless, in the center of the city is beautiful. Here you can see a lot of interesting sculptures and monuments, there are several churches built in the colonial period. Tourists are always enthralled with colorful lizards, found on the roads as often as we have cats and dogs.

Shopping

In N'Djamena, as in all of Chad, there is no metro, trams or trolleybuses. Moved here only on antediluvian buses and taxis. Sellers carry their goods on large open trolleys, so spontaneous outlets can arise anywhere. They work even at night. These people sleep here, on the street, building a bed of cardboard boxes. In the supermarkets and shops of the capital goods are mostly imported and very expensive. Therefore, for shopping you can advise the markets. Central is even included in the list of attractions that the capital of Chad boasts. The photo captures the fish corner in the market. It's noisy, dirty and you can bargain. From the colonial times in Chad, the state language is French. Therefore, tourists who own it have no difficulties with communication. In addition to French, N'Djamena is spoken in Arabic, as well as in many local dialects, but English is unpopular here. At the Central market of souvenirs, masks and other exotics is almost none. In the Great Market (or Grand March), that opposite the mosque, with this good is better. There is also another small market oriented to tourists in the capital. He is on the way to the airport. Here, just and you can buy African exotics in the form of statuettes, masks, all kinds of crafts, amulets and other things.

The Museum

The capital of Chad has not many attractions on its territory. The National Museum is perhaps the most important. It is located opposite the oldest in the city and almost always closed cathedral, standing out against the general background of buildings with its unusual architectural forms. The museum building is outwardly unattractive. This is the former administrative center of the city. Under the museum it was converted in 1963. At the entrance here you can and need to buy a guide to the museum, because it is impossible to photograph the exhibits. Among them there are a lot of utensils of local production from household use of the inhabitants of the colonial and pre-colonial Chad, skeletons found during excavations of animals, some artifacts, fragments of rock carvings of primitive Africans, many unique objects of the peoples of sao, tuba, zagawa. Near the museum is Place de la Nation with an unusually interesting design of the memory complex of fighters for national liberties. But foreigners there do not always go for walks.

Great Mosque

N'Djamena, the capital of Chad, is a city where most of the inhabitants profess Islam. In 1978, with the help of French specialists, they built the Great Mosque, which became a landmark of the city. It is located near the Big Market and the police station. Externally, in the architecture of the mosque there is nothing unusual and unexpected, but for believers this is the most important place in the city.

Reserves and parks

Few bright sights can please the capital. Chad is a country where it will be very interesting for Europeans to look at the natural world and the distinctive culture of the African people. Therefore the most interesting places are outside the capital. A unique excursion can be made to the reserve "Binder-Lere" (Binder-Lere), located near Ndjamena. I must say that the distances here are measured in hundreds of kilometers. For example, before the "Binder-Leray" about 300 km in a straight line. In the reserve you can see a waterfall, two lakes (Trene and Leray), many unique birds and plants.

The second reserve, which can be visited, is Mandelia, and is also curious about its natural resources. The third is Bahr Salamat. But before it is as much as 800 km. But next to it is located the second most important natural park in Chad - "Zakuma", where you can see near free roaming exotic elephants, giraffes, lions and dozens of other animals. Slightly closer, only 550 km, the park "Manda", unusually popular with tourists. And if you do not want to go so far, you can buy a walk along the Shari River, admire the crocodiles and hippopotamuses, go to the Elephant Rock rocks, reminiscent of elephants.

Cities and Towns

The capital of the state of Chad (Ndjamena) is a relatively young city. But tourists want to see antiquity. For this, you need to go to neighboring towns. The most colorful and interesting is the city of Abéché, to which from Ndjamena 600-odd kilometers. The city is remarkable for its architecture, mosques, the preserved Sultan's palace. There is also a local airport, so if you want to get there quickly. The city of Sakh, located more than 500 km from the capital, is interesting with its museum and the fact that several national parks are located nearby. The village of Gauja is much closer, just 10 km from the capital. Presumably, the giants lived here. Now in the village you can see unusual round houses, as well as exhibits of the local museum, placed here after archaeological excavations.

Reviews

A little while we know about our tourists about Chad. The capital of what country N'Djamena, very few people know. If you are going to discover this original and completely different from any other region, before the trip you must make a series of inoculations - from cholera, hepatitis A and B, malaria, diphtheria, tuberculosis, typhoid, tetanus, meningitis and poliomyelitis. Features of staying in Chad, often celebrated by tourists:

• It is almost impossible to pay with credit cards, only in cash. The currency of Chad is the franc (XAF).
• Given the special mentality of the Chad people, one must bear in mind that photography here even in the capital is not welcome. Local believe that the camera takes away their strength, health, soul and so on, so you can have serious problems.
• Water from the tap is not suitable even for washing, it is, of course, impossible to drink it.
• Let's just say that the weather in the region where N'Djamena is located is not cold. In the summer, around +45 in the shade and without rain, in winter no lower than +22 and with the rarest, but torrential rains.

And otherwise the journey to this exotic country is caused only by positive emotions.