Sights in Niger
- Sort by:
- Popular
-
A
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.
While common sense and science dictate that there are no 2m-tall, 15m-long crocodiles wandering the earth today, one jaw-dropping glimpse of the Boubou Hana pavilion's 100 million-year-old Sarcosuchus imperator, or 'Super Croc', and you'll be second guessing everything - chilling indeed! Oddly, similarly…
reviewed
-
Parc National Du W Du Niger
What this excellent national park lacks in animal numbers, it makes up for in spades with the diversity of its wildlife. Antelopes, buffalos, elephants, hippos, lions, leopards, cheetahs, baboons, Nile crocodiles, hyenas, jackals, warthogs and over 300 species of migratory bird call this unique environment home.
The park rests on the west bank of the Niger River and is an area of dry savanna woodland, a transition zone between the Sahel and the moister savannas to the south. The 'W' (pronounced du-blay-vay) in the name comes from the double bend in the Niger River at the park's northern border. The park is a massive 9120 sq km (56667 sq mi) and straddles Niger, Benin and…
reviewed
-
Ténéré Desert
The Ténéré Desert fulfills the classic image of endless empty desert - towering sand dunes scattered here and there with cave paintings, dinosaur fossils and car wrecks. It's illegal to explore here unless you're in the company of a licensed guide from a licensed Nigerien travel agency.
Police require a feuille de route (official itinerary) for all vehicles travelling north of Agadez - these are only issued by licensed Nigerien travel agencies in Agadez and Niamey.
reviewed
-
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?
reviewed
-
B
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.
reviewed
-
Agadez Grande Mosquée
In the centre of Agadez is the extraordinary Grande Mosquée, the single most definitive image of Niger for many people. The minaret's distinctive structure dates from 1844, although the mosque has been on this site since the early 16th century. The minaret, which you can climb for a small fee, enjoys spectacular views over the town and the surrounding desert.
reviewed
-
C
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.
reviewed
-
D
Zoo
The least appealing aspect of the museum is the depressing Zoo, where lethargic and neurotic animals are kept in appallingly cramped conditions.
reviewed