TRAVEL EXPERIENCE IN NIGER

Despite its historical political instability, and being Africa’s poorest country, does not mean that Niger is still a great tourist destination. In Middle-Africa we have professional guides that know well Niger, the Sahara Desert, and the Woodabe tribe. Without doubt the Aïr Mountains & Ténéré Desert are one of West Africa’s most spectacular sights and in cultural terms Niger offers the unique Woodabe Gerewol festival and the intriguing, ancient trans-Saharan trade-route towns of Agadez and Zinder. If you travel to Niger with our professional English-speaking guides you will be able to discover Niger in security and getting to know the legendary welcoming tradition of the Nigerian people.



TRAVEL HIGHLIGHTS OF NIGER

Niamey. On the Niger River’s lush shores and home to culinary delights unparalleled elsewhere in Niger, Niamey refreshes those arriving from the Sahel’s wilds. Conversely, it can be a desperate place with summer dust never settling and the pain of the world’s poorest country on show. Dive into markets, peruse the museum, take a pirogue along the river or simply enjoy a sunset riverside drink as silhouettes of loping, laden camels cross Kennedy Bridge.

Zinder. With celebrated traditional Hausa houses, labyrinthine old-quarter alleys, an infamous prison within the Palais du Sultan, and classic French fort, Zinder wears its history on its sleeve. What a history it is, growing from a small resting spot for camels on the old trans-Saharan route to a refuge for the Hausa and Kanouri people, fleeing bloody 17th-century conflicts with the Fulani and Tuareg, before becoming the capital of the mighty Damagaram state, which thrived on everything from agriculture to the slave trade. The late 1890s brought the French, much blood-letting and Zinder’s quarter-century reign as Niger’s capital.

Agadez. While some great ancient trading Sahara towns, like Timbuktu, try to survive on international mystique, Agadez thrives as the gateway to truly spectacular desert and mountain scenery. Nonetheless, Agadez itself is Niger’s most fascinating city and deserves your attention. When standing in the famous Grand Mosque’s porcupine shadow, or weaving through the sandy streets and distinctive mudbrick architecture, it’s easy to imagine Agadez at its zenith four centuries ago

Aïr Mountains & Ténéré Desert. Among West Africa’s most spectacular sights, the Aïr Mountains’ dark volcanic masses dramatically rise from their Saharan surrounds and culminate in grand 2000m peaks. In some areas marvelous deep-blue marble pokes from rich red sands – amazing. Discover fascinating examples of Neolithic rock art, visit thermal hot springs at Tafadek or delve into the stunning oasis towns of Timia and Iferouâne. The Festival de l’Aïr, held in Iferouâne each December, was started in 2000 to celebrate and preserve traditional Tuareg culture. The sublime sand dunes at Temet, northeast of Iferouâne, are also unforgettable. If dunes delight, the Ténéré, which sits east of the Aïr, must be embraced. It is one of the world’s most legendary deserts, laden with the Sahara’s most extraordinarily beautiful sand dunes. The Ténéré holds its fair share of sublime secrets too – massive dinosaur graveyards and evocative, deserted medieval settlements like that of Djado.



ORGANISING YOUR TRIP TO NIGER

Middle-Africa organises travel tours to every corner of Niger all year around. Please feel free to contact us at any time.