Niamey
Africa · Niger
See also
Overview
Niamey, the capital of Niger with around 1.3 million residents (2020), sits on the banks of the Niger River surrounded by the Tillaberi region. It is the administrative, cultural and economic hub offering good facilities for both budget and upmarket travelers.
Languages: French
Why go?
Niamey, the capital of Niger with around 1.3 million residents (2020), sits on the banks of the Niger River surrounded by the Tillaberi region. It is the administrative, cultural and economic hub offering good facilities for both budget and upmarket travelers. The city features unique open-air markets patronized by Tuareg, Sonuri and Fulani tribes, traditional wrestling events, beautiful river views, and the massive Grand Mosque.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
When to go
Niamey has a hot desert climate with a short rainy season from June to September when severe thunderstorms and flooding occur. The best weather is December-January with averages of 34/15°C (93/57°F) and no rainfall. October, November and February offer hotter but dry conditions at 38°C in the afternoon. March to May are the hottest months reaching 42°C regularly (45°C not uncommon) with warm 27°C nights. Avoid travel June-September due to poor road conditions.
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Get in
Diori Hamani International Airport in the southeastern suburbs along Route National 1 is Niger's only international airport. Air France and Royal Air Maroc operate flights here. The Niamey railway station (Gare de Niamey) on Boulevard du 15 Avril next to the Hippodrome offers rail connections.
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Get around
Taxis are the primary mode of transport within Niamey. The city has taxi hubs including Ecogare near Wadata market. Bush taxis (vans) operate to destinations like the Hippodrome. Road conditions deteriorate during the wet season (June-September) due to flooding.
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Where to stay
Accommodation ranges from budget options like Villa Chinois (under CFA 5,000/night) and Mission Catholique (around CFA 10,000 for two-bed room) to mid-range hotels like Hotel Maourey (CFA 35-40,000) and Hotel Les Roniers (CFA 24,000-26,500). Upscale options include Hotel Gaweye (CFA 70-150,000) and Grand Hotel du Niger (CFA 49-87,000). Hotel Les Roniers offers traditional cottages with thatched roofs in a pretty garden with a pool.
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Food and drink
Niamey offers incredible local cuisine including Senegalese dishes like sauce d'arachide (CFA 800), yassa (CFA 800), and spaghetti-poisson (CFA 2,000). Street food and local restaurants are excellent value. For drinks, Cap Banga and Oxygène have river views especially at sunset. Note that drinking alcohol should be kept discreet as it is generally forbidden in Muslim culture. Bars include L'Epervier (Night Market Bar) and Grand Hotel Terrace with river views.
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Things to do
Visit the Musée National Boubou-Hama (CFA 1,000 entry) with displays on Nigerien history, traditional instruments, and palaeontology. Tour the Grande Mosquée (gift from Qaddafi) where guardian Issaka gives tours including minaret access. Experience the Hippodrome for Saturday afternoon horse races (free entry). Traditional wrestling matches at Stade de la Lutte Traditionelle are held a few times yearly when crops are good. Swimming pools at Hotel Gaweye and Grand Hotel allow non-guests for a small fee.
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Safety
Niamey is relatively safe by Nigerien standards but several precautions apply: carry minimal cash, watch your wallet in back pockets, and for women be aware of bag strap cutting. The most dangerous areas are near the ravine that runs through town, including next to the Stade (between Stade and Katako) and between Musée and Hotel Gaweye where robbers can disappear into the ravine. Beware of con artists near Petit Marché who claim their vehicle was in an accident and need money. The water is usually OK to drink but sealed PureWater costs 25 CFA per small bag.
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Connectivity
Internet is slow via modem and satellite at about CFA 500/hour. Wi-Fi is emerging in the city and available on a pay-as-you-go basis with scratch-off cards in better hotels and the city centre. The main post office is on Rue de la Poste. DHL Express is located on Boulevard de la Liberte.
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Budget
Daily backpacker budget in Niamey includes: street food meals CFA 500-1,500, restaurant meals CFA 800-2,000, budget accommodation CFA 5,000-10,000, mid-range hotels CFA 24,000-44,000, local transport (taxis) CFA 200-500, museum entry CFA 1,000, internet CFA 500/hour, PureWater CFA 25/bag.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Day trips
Koure, 45 minutes outside Niamey, hosts West Africa's last surviving giraffe herd with guided tours available. Baleyara, 2 hours east, has a large vibrant crafts market on Sundays. Boubon, 25 km northwest toward Tillaberi, is known for pottery with Wednesday market day. W National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site 3 hours south, offers wildlife viewing with overnight stay recommended; contact ECOPAS in Niamey for tourism info.
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Etiquette
Dress is much more conservative than other West African countries. Shorts, above-the-knee skirts, and tank tops should never be worn. People in Niamey dress as nicely as they can afford to, so avoid looking like you are slumming. Think carefully before giving gifts (cadeaux) or money to strangers as this creates ongoing demands for future visitors. Consider giving to reputable local charities instead.
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Go next
Agadez, 1,000 km away, has frequent bus connections but requires a permit and military escort due to ongoing Tuareg rebellion. W National Park is 3 hours south and can be done as a day trip but overnight is recommended. Koure's giraffe sanctuary is just 45 minutes away.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Field guide adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0. Text has been adapted and organized for this guide. About our sources.
Places to know
A few starting points from the guide. Check current hours and prices before you go.
- eat
Amandine Cakes
Lattes, goat cheese soup, pain de chocolat, pain des epinards, salads, sandwiches, Lebanese specialties, and many other good things. Bright, clean, and modern, it is a very popular favorite amongst anyone who enters its doors. Taxi to “Score” (by Petite Marché), and it’s right across the street.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- eat
Baobab Senegalese Restaurant
Favourites include sauce d’arachide (peanut sauce) for CFA 800 including beef (more for chicken or fish), yassa (onion-based Senegalese specialty with veggies and meat) for CFA 800 including beef (more for chicken or fish) and spaghetti-poisson (spaghetti and fish) for CFA 2,000. They also have good bisap (sweetened hibiscus leave drink) for CFA 200 a small bottle. By some accounts, the best Senegalese food in Niamey. Good place to go if you are in the neighbourhood of either Grande Marché or Petite Marché.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- eat
Bellissimo’s
A swanky rooftop escape overlooking Rond Point Maorey. Go up there for drinks, dinner, dancing late, pedicures, watching the world go by. Have a beer and watch the rond point for accidents and near misses.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- eat
Byblos
Lebanese Cuisine. Take a taxi to "Pharmacie Yantala." This inviting restaurant offers the best in Lebanese fare. The mezzé is the meal to order: it’s a sampler platter of taboulé, hummus, baba ganouj, meat pies and other Lebanese delicacies for CFA 10,000: split it between 2-3 people. The falafels and chawermas are also very tasty. Service is friendly and efficient.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- eat
Chez Chin’s
Chinese. Good food and extremely popular. Has fresh noodles and hot pot (order one day in advance). Good date place because of its romantic atmosphere. Great for family meals because the service is fast and the kids can roam in the garden, look at the menagerie of animals or play on the swings and monkey bars. Located on Tillaberi Road, not far from Pharmacie Yantala. Taxi to OMS and it's across the street.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- eat
Dragon D’Or
Chinese. Dine al fresco or indoors. Air-con. Run by a Chinese family. The food is excellent. Can’t go wrong with this choice. Off the rondpoint Grand Hotel; look for the Christmas lights. Friday nights has Karaoke.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- eat
Fast Food de L’Année
Delicious hamburgers for CFA 800 or teazburgers (cheeseburgers) for CFA 1,400. Probably the best burgers (stuffed with fries) in town. They also have egg burgers for the vegetarians, fries, omelettes, tuna burgers and lots of other stuff including soft drinks. There are two locations: 1) Take a taxi to “Centre Cultural Oumarou Ganda”, north of the Grande Mosquée. From there, walk north towards the yellow Sonitrav sign and look for their shop on corner of the next crossroads; 2) Take a taxi to Rond Point Grand Hotel and they are on the west side of the round point on the road that heads down to the Kennedy Bridge.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- eat
Ghanaian Restaurant
Try the fufu, delicious at CFA 500/bowl, generous meat portions are extra. Or, if you are feeling adventurous, try the bonkou which is fermented corn dumplings with sauce. They also have soft drinks, PureWater, etc. Owners prefer to speak English. If you want a spoon you have to ask for it. Good place to go if you are in the neighbourhood of Grande Marché.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
Before you go
Connectivity
Slow internet (modem/satellite). Wi-Fi emerging in hotels and city centre. Main post office on Rue de la Poste.
Culture
Conservative Muslim culture. Dress modestly covering shoulders and knees. Alcohol consumption should be kept discreet.
Money
Local currency is CFA franc (XOF). ATMs available but reliability varies. Credit cards rarely accepted outside upscale hotels.
Safety
Be aware of petty theft near ravine areas. Con artists common near markets. Carry minimal cash and watch belongings.
Transport
Taxis are the main transport. Bush taxis to destinations. Airport in southeastern suburbs. Railway station next to Hippodrome.
Water
City water usually OK but buy sealed PureWater (25 CFA/bag) for safety. Available at any stall with a fridge.
Weather
Hot desert climate. Best months December-January (34/15°C). Avoid June-September rainy season due to flooding. March-May extremely hot (42°C+).