Landlocked, two-thirds desert, Niger is the largest country in West Africa. Located at the crossroads of North Africa and Black Africa, it is bordered by seven border countries and cut in two by a wide Sahelian strip.
The Saharan region extends over a large northern part. The Ténéré, also called desert of deserts, further east, spreads its dunes and its immense sandy stretches over nearly 700 km. It is one of the driest regions on earth, only dotted with a few oases. There are many prehistoric remains: rock paintings, stone mule or dinosaur cemetery. In the heart of Ténéré, the Djado plateau is breathtaking and almost surreal with its pink cliffs and two dead cities, Djado and Djaba. To the south of Ténéré, the massif of Aïr presents a contrasted landscape of high black rocks, mountain ranges culminating at more than 2000 m, crossed by rivers and green oases where Tuareg camps are established. Air is the starting point of the salt caravans. At the edge of the desert is Agades, one of the oldest cities in Niger and meeting place for caravanners. A city with a special character with its sandy streets and houses with Sudanese architecture. With its 100.000 inhabitants, patchwork of Hausas, Touaregs, Peuls, Songhaï, Kanouri, the city is also known for its mosques: it counts four of them of Friday and 79 of district. Agades makes the transition with the Sahelian part of Niger, in the south, much greener with its bush vegetation. Niamey, the sprawling capital of Niger, less bubbling than the other African capitals, is a peaceful city located on the banks of the Niger River. A river, which is an integral part of the life of Nigerians, both for the transport of goods and for the transport of people. A few miles from Niamey, the hill of Yassan is a gathering place for the hippopotamuses who live there protected. Niamey is also the ideal starting point for an escapade in the W National Park, a name that refers to the meanders of the Niger River in this region. It presents a great diversity of animals: elephants, buffaloes, lions, cheetahs, hyenas, leopards... The last free giraffes of West Africa live near the village of Kouré, 60 km south of Niamey. Despite everything, Niger's fauna is threatened by persistent poaching and also by the region's deforestation for the benefit of agriculture. The coolest period goes from November to February and is more than recommended to stay in Niger. Even though the heat is hot almost all year round in the country. The sand winds blow mainly in November but remain bearable. It is also the best time to visit the W park, closed during the rainy season. With nearly 15.2 million inhabitants, Niger is a crossroads of civilizations. Its cultural wealth lies in the ethnic diversity of its population. Here two worlds rub shoulders: proud nomads on one side and sedentary ones on the other, each with their own particularity. Among the sedentary, we find the Hausa, majority in the country, and the Songhai who live in the Niger valley. The Tuareg, or blue men, mainly traders and the Fulani are nomadic tribes. Niger is the desert par excellence, that of the mythical Ténéré, to which the massifs of Aïr are adjacent and where the Touaregs and camels serve as guides. To the south, the Sahelian bush announces the landscapes of black Africa with colourful villages and lively markets. We let ourselves be carried on its river Niger where fishermen and hippos live in harmony. An authentic destination that draws its main wealth from its population mix.

Art and culture in Niger
The Nigerian craft industry reflects the image of its population: multiple. We can find a concentrate in Niamey. Works in goat, zebu or camel leather and metal objects are the most represented. The work of leather is especially specific to the Sahel region where sandals, poufs, cushions, bags and boxes are made. The jewels are silver and bronze is used for figurines. There are also many basketry and weaving items including very sophisticated batiks and djermas blankets made of strips of fabric sewn together.

What to visit in Niger
The visit of Niamey, capital of Niger, must include its large mosque, its national museum, showcase of various ethnic cultures of the country and its large market with its profusion of varied articles. An escapade in the Ténéré desert and the Aïr massif, preferably accompanied, is a must, as is the discovery of the town of Agadès, where you will be able to attend its picturesque camel market.