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.