Niamey Sights

  1. Fruit Bats

    Unless you're new to town, you'll have noticed the huge Fruit Bats (looking like flying dogs) soaring in the sky each evening. To get a closer look at these massive bats in the daylight, head towards Place de la République along Ave de la Mairie - you'll find thousands of them hanging, snoozing and squeaking in the trees lining the compound of Banque Centrale de l'Afrique de l'Ouest. At sunset it's a hive of activity. Guano anyone?

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  2. Grand Marché

    Wade through the chaos that is the exterior of the Grand Marché and dive into the labyrinth of narrow lanes shaded by a kaleidoscope of tattered sheets. Although it's hard to ignore the heady aroma of spices, piles of colourful clothes, boisterous vendors and steady torrent of local shoppers, if you manage to find a good hiding spot the market is a wonderful place to observe Nigeriens interacting - peace amid the pandemonium.

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  3. Grande Mosquée

    Rising above eastern Niamey is the impressive Grande Mosquée, with its massive minaret and bulbous green dome. Everything from the elaborately carved exterior wooden doors to the interior's 16 ornate pillars and grand tiled dome were financed by Libyan money. If you linger outside, someone will offer you a short tour. The view and breeze atop the minaret are well worth the dizzying 171 steps to get there.

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  4. Musée National du Niger

    The sprawling Musée National du Niger is one of West Africa's standouts. Numerous themed pavilions, each tipping their hat to Hausa architecture, give visitors a peek into Niger's present and past. The Pablo Toucet pavilion displays the dress of Niger's different ethnic groups - a quick way to train the eye for differentiating these groups as you travel around Niger.

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  5. Petit Marché

    The Petit Marché is smack-dab in the centre of town and merits a visit. Self-caterers can go crazy, squeezing fruit and veg to their hearts content in this lively market. Remember where your wallet is when you're ogling the wares, as pickpockets are rife.

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  7. Zoo

    The least appealing aspect of the museum is the depressing Zoo, where lethargic and neurotic animals are kept in appallingly cramped conditions.

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