Niger Travel Guide

Niger is a country with diverse wildlife. In the years after its independence, it has not managed to improve its economic condition. It borders seven countries: Algeria and Libya to the north, Chad and Nigeria to the southeast, Mali to the west and Burkina Faso and Benin to the southwest.

The climate is arid. Niger has Niamey as its capital. Other locations that you should also visit are Ayorou (a scenic town along River Niger), Diffa (disappearing sand dunes), Dosso (museums), Zinder (cultural capital), W national park and the Balleyera market.

Buses have been introduced by the government. Travel at night used not to be encouraged due to banditry, but now each bus has a soldier who protects it. Cars are a no-no in Niger. The roads can be dangerous at night, and there are also not many rental companies where you can hire one.

There are eight official indigenous languages in the country. French is also an official language and is widely popular among the natives. Hausa and Zarma are the traditional languages.

The currency used here is CFA Franc. The exchange rate is approximately 656 Francs for 1 US dollar. Currency exchange is available at the airport, main banks, and hotels. Niger has a cash-based economy. You can withdraw money in Niamey from Mastercard or Diners Club cards, but make sure to exchange enough cash if you are traveling away from the capital. Traveler’s cheques are acceptable. However, make them in Euro to avoid additional exchange charges.

You can buy local products, like silver jewelry, leather boxes, and straw mats as mementos.

Niger uses types C and F sockets. You need to bring a travel adapter to fit the proper socket type. Check out the above-linked page to see the photos and other useful information. The standard voltage is between 220V and 240V.  Many of your devices may need a step-up transformer to match the electrical voltage.

In Niger, they drive on the right side of the road. Both the self-drive and chauffeur-driven cars are available for rent. The roads are in reasonable condition, but you should look out for portholes. Also, some tracks are inaccessible during heavy rains.

August 15, 2016 12:00 am Published by Neha Rizal Leave your thoughts