Abéché
The main city of eastern Chad, capital of the Ouaddaï sultanate until the colonial period.
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Abéché became the capital of the Ouaddaï sultanate in the second half of the nineteenth century when the court moved from Ouara, and it grew into one of the larger cities of the central Sudan, a trading centre on the routes north to Libya and east to Darfur. The sultan's palace, the great mosque and the tombs of the sultans survive in the old quarter, along with a street plan and building tradition of mud brick. The city stands on a plateau at around five hundred metres, which makes it slightly cooler than the plains west of it and is part of why the court moved here.
What you actually see
- The sultan's palace - the seat of the Ouaddaï court in the old quarter.
- The great mosque - the principal mosque of the historic city.
- The sultans' tombs - the burials of the ruling line.
- The mud-brick quarter - the old streets and building tradition.
When to go
November to February is the cool season. March to May is extremely hot. The rains from July make roads difficult.
Honest expectations
Much of the historic fabric has been lost or rebuilt. Photography of official buildings needs care and permission. Facilities for visitors are minimal.
Nearby
Ouara is northeast, and N'Djamena is far west.
What to pack for Abéché
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.