Niger, also colloquially referred to as the Heart of Darkness is a landlocked country in Africa with a population of about 16 million.
It shares its borders with Algeria, Mali, Burkina Faso, Benin, Nigeria, Chad, and Libya.
Like many of African country, Niger is also a former colony: it was under the French until it gained independence in 1960.
Most of the country is covered in desert plains and dunes, with rolling savanna in the southeast.
Niger has incredible natural beauty, and there are a lot of things to see if you decide to venture to this country.
Its mountain ranges in the north of the country are breathtaking, as are the wild giraffe herds that can be seen near Koure, around sixty km from Niamey.
You can also see houses a few old trading centers in the Sahara, such as Agadez and Zinder that have that unique mixture of Arab/Tuareg and black African culture about them.
There is also much to see when it comes to the Hausa architecture in those towns.
Count on friendly locals and don’t be surprised if someone even invites you into their home.
Warnings & Dangers in Niger
OVERALL RISK: HIGH
Overall, Niger isn’t a safe country to visit. With its political turmoil and UN labeling it the major drug smuggling port, violent and petty crime on the streets, there are lots to think about when planning a trip to Niger.
TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: HIGH
Like in most countries in Africa, transport in Niger is unreliable and unsafe. Buses are in poor condition and since there are a lot of cases of banditry, the buses are commonly attacked and passengers inside hassled, tortured or worse. Many taxis and buses lack basic safety equipment like seat belts and headlights. Drivers in Niger can be reckless more often than not.
PICKPOCKETS RISK: HIGH
Pickpockets are somewhat active, especially in markets and places where rare tourists, if there are any, tend to go. Refrain from flashing your belongings and leave your valuables in your accommodation.
NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: HIGH
Two completely opposite natural disasters bring misery every year to Niger. Droughts are its worst natural disasters as it destroys the crops, kills the cattle as well as thousands of people who starve to death. Then the rainy season comes, causes heavy rain that leads to severe flooding and again, thousands of people are left homeless.
MUGGING RISK: HIGH
Muggings and robberies are common and you should be extremely careful all the time in Niger. You should under no circumstance go to the region north of Agadez since there have been numerous reports of robberies and kidnappings there.
TERRORISM RISK: HIGH
Terrorists are very likely to try and carry out attacks in Niger. These could be retaliatory attacks since this country has participated in the French-led intervention in Mali and has been involved in the regional fight to counter Boko Haram.
SCAMS RISK: HIGH
As in almost any countries, there is a great risk of getting scammed in Niger, too. Always check everything twice and negotiate everything in advance. Taxi drivers might try to trick you into paying more, giving you wrongful information about the price of the ride.
WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: HIGH
Women aren’t safe in Niger. Under any circumstance don’t leave your accommodation unaccompanied at night, and try not to do it during the day either. This country is dangerous for anyone to walk around alone.
So... How Safe Is Niger Really?
Niger is not very safe to visit, due to political turmoil and crime on the streets.
There is a non-violent crime in the form of pick-pocketing and purse-snatching, and there’s a violent crime as well, mostly in the form of armed robbery, muggings, and assaults.
The violence decreased in the past couple of years compared to how it was before, but it still happens.
Places, where you should practice extreme vigilance, are traditional markets, and areas near hotels and restaurants frequented by foreigners.
There’s also terrorism in Niger and it can be and has been directed towards Westerners.
This is a politically unstable country, and lawlessness is ever-present.
Avoid demonstrations or any kind of display of unease, follow the independent news closely and stay in contact with your embassy.
Al-Qaeda is also present in Niger and has kidnapped and killed tourists, so it is of extreme importance to know the regions that are off-limits and avoid them at all costs.
There have also been many reports of carjacking, kidnappings and armed robberies in the region north of Agadez.
You shouldn’t go beyond Agadez under any circumstance, and keep in mind that the roads past this point are of terrible quality.
Banditry is another issue as they are abundant, so avoid driving late at night in a private vehicle.
Some of the places where bandits and armed robbers operate are near the town of Galmi and around Dosso-Doutchi, as well as on the road to Gao, Mali in the Tillabery region.
There are, however, police checkpoints on the main highways that are in charge of limiting criminal activities during the day.
How Does Niger Compare?
| Country | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Niger | 37 |
| Morocco | 54 |
| Portugal | 57 |
| Japan | 83 |
| Ghana | 73 |
| Australia | 86 |
| Slovakia | 80 |
| Greece | 73 |
| Norway | 85 |
Useful Information
Visas
Most countries need a visa to enter Niger. In order to enter the country, actually, you will need a passport, a visa, and proof of vaccination against yellow fever. Make sure your passport is valid for at least six months past the date of your arrival. If you are not sure about your visa status, visit www.doyouneedvisa.com which will let you know whether or not you need a visa based on your nationality and the country you want to visit.
Currency
West African CFA franc is the official currency in Niger. ATMs are not widespread but you will be able to withdraw your money from the local bank.
Weather
Niger is one of the hottest countries in the world with a rainy season that lasts from May to October, with most rainfall in July and August. The heat in Niger is intense, and in Niamey, the capital, temperatures go from 31° C in August to scorching 41° C in April. Nights, however, are cool and the temperature average somewhere below 20° C from November to February.
Airports
Diori Hamani International Airport is the busiest airport in Niamey, the capital of Niger. It is located 9 km from Niamey in the south-eastern suburbs of the city.
Travel Insurance
Just like anywhere else, we recommend getting travel insurance when traveling to Niger, since it covers not only the costs of medical problems but also theft and loss of valuables.
Niger Weather Averages (Temperatures)
Average High/Low Temperature
| Temperature / Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 32 | 36 | 39 | 41 | 41 | 38 | 34 | 33 | 35 | 38 | 37 | 33 |
| Low °C | 17 | 20 | 24 | 27 | 28 | 26 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 20 | 17 |
| High °F | 90 | 97 | 102 | 106 | 106 | 100 | 93 | 91 | 95 | 100 | 99 | 91 |
| Low °F | 63 | 68 | 75 | 81 | 82 | 79 | 75 | 75 | 75 | 77 | 68 | 63 |
DO NOT TRAVEL
As of 2019 do not travel to Niger, Niger is currently in a civil war. and its just not safe and i think this page did a good job at getting that point across so im going to talk about if do travel there what should you do and how do you stay safe. first if you are white it is a hundred times more dangerous, it means that you’ll almost certainly be a victim of mugging, pick pocketing, or robbery. you are seen as a walking ATM machine. do not handle money in public white or black or your just asking to be robbed. do not show and slightest sign of wealth and i mean no sign of wealth at all. you have to seem just as poor as everybody else to blend in and if you dont you could die. this is a very serious issue and its too be taken serious. women travelers are very likely to be raped or sexually assaulted when going there no matter how hard you try to avoid it. do not go out at night under any circumstances but if you have too try and bring a weapon with you cause your probably gonna need it. cops and law enforcement are very weak and do not respond to many crimes especially rape. also keep in mind you can be imprisoned for up to 10 years for being homosexual or transgender. do not participate in any political protests either. do not travel within 50 meters of the Nigerian boarder, Algerian boarder, Burkina Faso boarder, Togo boarder, Benin boarder, Chad boarder, or Libyan boarder due to armed conflict, civil unrest and terrorism. do not eat any street food what so ever no matter how delicious it might be. ultimately just stay low and excise a ginormous amount of caution and do everything ive mentioned.
I travel to Niameny recently and was welcomed. I went with a friend from the country and he showed me around and the locals did not looks at me twice. Was a pleasant experience
yes good place to visit
You can go if you're black.
You must be black.
Wrong
The answer is wrong.The country is only safe for Muslims if you are black and Muslim yes its safe for you.
Niger Is Not Safe For Travelers
Do Not Travel To Niger It Is Very Very Dangerous There Is Lot’s Of Crime There Niger Is Not Safe
OOF
even don’t travel to Portugal its in a war in corona they kill people
Great country
I hate how people make it seem horrible my family lives in the rich region and never had a problem. In Niamey there are some beggar kids 5 dollars (2,917.50 CFA) will make them very happy.
Hi! I have plan to go there after corona please tell me more about Niger🤗
YARE A NOB
I THING TRAVEL SAFE,HERE IS WRIGHT. YOU DUMB NOOBS COME SEARCH GOOGLE”is niger safe”AND YOU SHALL SEEEEEE!!!
Only what I read!
I have a cousin who is currently in Cairo, Egypt serving with USAID. His next assignment is for him to go back to Niger for two years. He will be sent there sometime in August. After reading the above, I fear for my cousin and his wife who will accompany him. Kevin spent some twenty-plus years in Africa and loves the area. But I think, at the age of 65 and his last assignment, I would have hoped he would have been given a safer place to serve.
GOOD TRAVEL
VWERY GOOD STAY AT NIGER AND ITA FUN AN YUO WONT GET ASSAULTED BEACAUZE I WAZ AND AISO ITS FUN FOR STUFF AND STUFF
I'm really insecure 😕
Got no clue about how safe it is