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Western Africa

NigerTravel guide

Explore Niger visa rulesCommon scams in Niger

Niger is a large, dry, landlocked country in the Sahel. Travel is unsafe because of kidnapping, terrorist attacks, crime and an unpredictable security situation, including in the capital, Niamey.

Why go

  1. West Africa's last remaining wild giraffe herd lives in Niger.

  2. The Aïr Mountains and Ténéré Desert are major sights.

  3. W National Park is another listed attraction.

  4. Guérewol is an annual courtship ritual among the Wodaabe people.

Getting there

By air

  • Diori Hamani International Airport is in Niamey.
  • The source says Niger's airspace is closed to French aircraft following the July 2023 military coup.
  • The international flight list dates from August 2017. It should not be treated as a current flight schedule.

By land

  • Roads connect Niger with Mali, Burkina Faso, Benin and Nigeria. The source warns that no land border should be considered safe to cross.
  • The Sahara crossing from Algeria is insecure. Libya closed its land border in December 2012, and the source gives no reopening date.
  • Private bus companies include Rimbo Transport Voyageurs and SONEF. Tickets can be bought from the companies or their sales offices.

Customs

  • An international yellow fever vaccination certificate is required.
  • A cholera vaccination certificate is required when arriving from a neighbouring country where an outbreak has been reported.

Getting around

  • Road travel

    Road conditions vary greatly, and many roads are unpaved or damaged. The road from Niamey to W National Park is paved. The Birni Nkonni–Agadez–Arlit road is in poor condition. Avoid driving late at night in a private vehicle because of armed robbery. The area beyond Agadez has serious risks of kidnapping, carjacking and robbery, even with a guide and a four-wheel-drive vehicle.

  • Buses

    Government buses serve the country's main routes. The source describes large buses as better able to handle potholes than smaller vans. Shared cars can be extremely hot, dangerous and more expensive than buses. Night stops because of banditry can make journeys take several days.

  • Taxis in Niamey

    The source quotes about CFA 200 for a short trip and CFA 400 for a trip almost across the city. Airport taxis have a monopoly, with a quoted minimum of CFA 3,000 after hard bargaining. Use taxis after dark and avoid markets at night.

  • Domestic flights

    A March 2020 listing says Niger Airlines connects Niamey, Zinder, Agadez and Diffa. This is a dated listing.

What to see and do

  • Wild giraffes

    Niger is home to West Africa's last remaining wild giraffe herd.

  • Aïr Mountains

    The mountains are listed among Niger's main sights.

  • Ténéré Desert

    The desert is listed among Niger's main sights.

  • W National Park

    The park is a listed attraction, reached by a paved road from Niamey.

  • Observe Guérewol

    This is an annual courtship ritual among the Wodaabe people.

  • Shop for local crafts

    Nigerien crafts include decorated leather boxes, silver jewellery, woven blankets and straw mats.

Food and drink

  • Millet porridge

    A thick porridge served with okra, pepper, tomato or squash sauce, sometimes with vegetables and meat.

  • Dumbou

    Corn couscous mixed with moringa leaves, black-eyed peas and sauce. It is available in Djerma/Zarma regions.

  • Kilishi

    Dried beef sold plain, with peanut seasoning or with hot pepper.

  • Masa

    Sourdough pancakes served with a peanut, hot pepper and ginger spice mix, or a brown sauce.

  • Fari masa and chichena

    Fari masa are fried dough balls served with squash and tomato salsa or sugar. Chichena are similar but use bean flour.

  • Koudagou

    Fried sweet potato pieces served with sauce.

Money

West African CFA franc (XOF)

  • Use local francs for everyday purchases. US dollars and other foreign currencies generally need to be exchanged first.
  • Nigerian naira is also accepted near the Nigerian border.
  • The currency has a fixed rate of 655.957 francs to one euro.
  • Bargaining is expected when shopping. Decide your starting offer and highest acceptable price before you begin.

Typical costs

  • Short Niamey taxi ride: about CFA 200; nearly across the city: about CFA 400.
  • Niamey airport taxi: a quoted minimum of CFA 3,000 after bargaining.
  • Sealed bags of drinking water: usually CFA 25, or CFA 50 in some hard-to-reach places.

Language

  • French is listed as the official language, but it is not widely spoken outside Niamey.
  • Djerma, also called Zarma, is spoken mainly in Niamey and the Tillaberi and Dosso regions.
  • Other local languages include Hausa, Fulfulde, Tamashek and Kanuri.
  • English is of limited use outside a few large Niamey hotels, the American cultural centre and some towns near Nigeria.
Fofo
Hello in Zarma/Djerma.
Mate ni go?
How are you? in Zarma/Djerma.
Man no...?
Where is...? in Zarma/Djerma.
Ay mana faham
I don't understand in Zarma/Djerma.
Sannu
Hello in Hausa.
Na GO-day
Thank you in Hausa.
Na GO-day, Na KO-shi
Thank you, I am full in Hausa; a polite way to decline more food.
Sai ANjima
Goodbye in Hausa.

Staying safe

  • Travel to Niger is unsafe, including in Niamey. The source warns of kidnapping, terrorist attacks, high crime and states of emergency in several areas.
  • Follow independent news closely and stay in contact with your embassy.
  • Avoid areas where armed groups operate. Al-Qaeda and Boko Haram have kidnapped and killed people in Niger.
  • Do not treat a guide or a four-wheel-drive vehicle as protection beyond Agadez. The area has bandits, poor roads and serious kidnapping risks.
2 common scams in Niger, and how to avoid them

Local customs

Do

  • Dress modestly and neatly. Keep skirts below the knees and avoid shorts and tank tops.
  • Ask permission before photographing people, especially camel drivers, market sellers and older people.
  • Make direct eye contact when speaking and keep your voice calm.
  • Accept small gestures of hospitality when possible. Caring for guests is a point of honour.
  • Return favours, as friendships and relationships are taken seriously.
  • Approach political discussions with respect and caution.

Don't

  • Do not eat, drink or smoke in public during daylight hours in Ramadan. Most restaurants close until dusk.
  • Do not behave drunkenly or inappropriately in public.
  • Do not abuse hospitality or refuse gifts because you think the giver is too poor. That can cause offence.
  • Avoid discussing slavery with people affected by it or those involved in it.

Staying healthy

  • Drink plenty of bottled or filtered water and replace salts lost through sweating. The dry heat can cause dehydration before you notice it.
  • Avoid unfiltered water and ice, and be especially wary of wells, streams and rural water supplies.
  • Malaria is present and is resistant to chloroquine. Take medicine to prevent malaria, use strong insect repellent and consider sleeping under a mosquito net.
  • Giardia and amoebic dysentery are common intestinal infections. Avoid salads and raw vegetables, and choose roadside food only when it is hot off the grill.

Phone and internet

  • The Friends of Niger website has discussion boards where visitors can ask questions before travelling.

Outdoor adventures in Niger

Niger has desert landscapes, wildlife reserves and river trips to see hippos and islands. Highlights include W National Park, Koure’s wild giraffes and the Aïr and Ténéré Natural Reserve. Travel is unsafe because of kidnapping, terrorism, crime and unpredictable security conditions, including in Niamey.

  • W National Park wildlife watching

    Safarinear Niamey

    The park is most easily reached from Niamey. Tour and transport arrangements are not detailed.

    • Travel in Niger is unsafe because of kidnapping, terrorism and crime.
    • Drink plenty of safe water and replace salts lost in the dry heat.

  • Koure wild giraffe watching

    Wildlife

    Koure is the place to see the giraffe herd. Transport and guide arrangements are not detailed.

    • Travel in Niger is unsafe because of kidnapping, terrorism and crime.
    • Drink plenty of safe water and use a large hat and sunscreen.

  • Ayorou hippo and island boat tour

    Wildlifenear Ayorou

    3 hours for the described motorized tour

    Ayorou is about three hours from Niamey. Arrange a pirogue, a local boat, through a hotel or a boat operator. Motorized and non-motorized trips are available. Guide Ilou Anafiyou offers a motorized trip to see hippos and two island villages.

    • Cost: A described 3-hour motorized tour was negotiated to CFA 20,000; this is not a confirmed current rate.
    • Travel in Niger is unsafe because of kidnapping, terrorism and crime.
    • Stay out of the water. Schistosomiasis, a disease caused by parasites, is present in most water bodies.

  • Termit & Tin Toumma National Nature and Cultural Reserve

    Wildlife

    Visitor access, transport and guide arrangements are not detailed.

    • Travel in Niger is unsafe because of kidnapping, terrorism and crime.
    • Know which regions are off limits and avoid them.

  • Aïr and Ténéré Natural Reserve desert landscapes

    More to do

    Visitor access and routes are not detailed. Travel beyond Agadez is strongly warned against, even with a guide and a four-wheel-drive vehicle.

    • North of Agadez, carjackings, kidnappings, robberies and banditry are serious risks.
    • Roads beyond Agadez are described as being in very poor condition.

Airports, metros and trains in Niger

Airports with scheduled flights

  • NIMDiori Hamani International AirportNiameyMain international airport

Trains

Rail network
143 km

People and safety in Niger

Religion

Most people are Muslim. Mostly one faith.

  • Muslim98%
  • Christian<1%
  • No religion<1%

LGBT+ travellers

Same-sex relationships are illegal

  • The law allows up to 10 years in prison.
  • Some laws protect against discrimination.

Check your own government's travel advice before you go, and be careful with public displays of affection and dating apps.

Women travellers

Ranked #163 of 181 countries for women's safety, inclusion and justice.

63% of women say they feel safe walking alone at night where they live.

Who can visit without a visa

Travellers from 21 of 198 countries can visit Niger easily: no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.

  • Visa not required20
  • Visa on arrival1
  • Visa required175
  • Admission refused2

Who can visit easily, by part of the world

For each part of the world: how many countries' travellers can come easily. Easy means no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.

  • Africa18 of 53 countries
  • Asia2 of 50 countries
  • Americas1 of 35 countries
  • Europe0 of 46 countries
  • Oceania0 of 14 countries

Questions

Is Niger safe for a first visit?

Travel is unsafe because of kidnapping, terrorist attacks, crime and an unpredictable security situation. The warning includes Niamey.

Can I buy bus tickets in person?

Yes. International bus tickets can be bought from the bus company or a sales office.

Can I pay with US dollars?

US dollars are generally not accepted for daily purchases. Exchange foreign money into West African CFA francs first.

Will English be enough?

English has limited use outside a few places in Niamey and towns near Nigeria. Learning local greetings can help.

What water should I drink?

Choose bottled or filtered water, or sealed bags called Purewater. Avoid unfiltered water and ice.

What should I wear?

Wear loose, modest clothing, a large hat and sunscreen. Avoid shorts, tank tops and skirts above the knees.

Should I bargain when shopping?

Yes, bargaining is expected. Decide your highest price in advance and walk away politely if the price is too high.

Can I photograph people?

Ask permission first. Some people find being photographed offensive.

What changes during Ramadan?

Most restaurants close until dusk, and working hours are shorter. Visitors should avoid eating, drinking or smoking in public during daylight hours.

Can I swim in rivers or lakes?

Avoid natural bodies of water because schistosomiasis is present. The source gives chlorinated swimming pools as the exception.

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