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We offer holidays to the four corners of the globe. If you want specialist advise please phone our travel team and we will be happy to help.
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- Destinations
- Africa
- Niger
Niger
Niger is a landlocked country in the heart of Africa most famous
for its diverse cultures and oases of wildlife amidst its mostly
arid, desert landscape. The capital city is Niamey, a pleasant,
fairly modern settlement with great open-air markets and a
picturesque position along the Niger River. The National Museum is
worth a visit, mostly for the impressive artisans collective which
produces high-quality goods for fair but surprisingly
non-negotiable prices. Travel can be arduous as the roads are
mostly unpaved and potholed, plus banditry amounts to a night time
curfews for cars. It is also astoundingly hot. The country's top
attraction is W National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and
home to abundant wildlife. Koure, south-east of Niamey is famous
for its herd of giraffe, the last wild herd in West Africa. Other
sites worth visiting are the old trading centres of Agadez with its
vibrant Touareg and black African cultures, and Zinder with its
maze-like old town and interesting Sultan's Palace. Niger was a
former French colony, achieving independence in 1960. It suffers
from periodic droughts, widespread corruption and poorly developed
human capital, all which conspire to make this one of the poorest
countries in the world. Niger also has the tragic distinction of
having the highest fertility rate in the world (7.2 births per
woman) and one of its highest infant mortality rates. Apart from
aid workers and businessmen the only visitors Niger sees are
intrepid backpackers and adventurers. Those that do take the
trouble to visit report meeting some of Africa's most friendly and
interesting people.
Information & Facts
Customs
Social etiquette and customs in Niger are, perhaps, a little
two-sided - in the cities, the country's French influence
predominates; while in the more rural areas, Muslim values prevail.
To be safe, visitors to Niger should dress neatly and modestly at
all times (making sure to cover their elbows and knees), and should
refrain from boisterous public behaviour. Greetings are important
in Niger: be friendly, and inquire after the person's health. Note
that people do drink in Niger, although they aren't technically
allowed to, so exercise caution and sensitivity in this regard. In
some areas, it is frowned upon for a woman to smoke in public.
Always ask permission before taking someone's picture, and do not
photograph military personnel or installations. Always use your
right hand when greeting, eating, or accepting gifts, as the left
hand is considered unclean.
Duty Free
Visitors to Niger age 15 and older may import the following
goods duty-free: 200 cigarettes/100 cigarillos/25 cigars/250g
tobacco, one bottle of wine and one bottle of spirits, 0.5 litres
eau de toilette and 0.25 litres perfume.
Passport Visa
All visitors must have a valid passport. It is highly
recommended that passports have at least six months validity
remaining after your intended date of departure from your travel
destination. Immigration officials often apply different rules to
those stated by travel agents and official sources.