Niamey travel guide - Wikitravel
Satin ribbon that is about 1.5cm wide is 25F/yard.
Used socks are around 3 pairs for 1000F. New socks are around 400-450F each.
Men’s thrift-shop pants: 1,500F
Men’s pre-made shirts: 1,500F-2000F
Sunglasses are 500F for the all plastic models and 600F for the kind with a little metal accenting the plastic.
Cheap earrings from China: 100F or 150F.
One of West Africa's best, most diverse, and calmest big markets. The market spans a wide spectrum of objects for sale, from retail goods and packaged foods to wholesale boxes of imported goods to hot, fresh meals. Narrow, shaded, aisles in a grid pattern contain a mix of fabric, tailors, household goods, sports apparel, automotive parts, flip-flops, headscarves, baby clothes, and any manner of other goods. Goods and foods from around the country are offered for sale, and stalls offering imported items from West Africa and abroad are interspersed throughout.There's also a section devoted to handicrafts and traditional clothes, although other markets are as equally good or better to pick these. First constructed in 1950 and rebuilt in 1987 after a fire (costing over 5 billion francs!), the Grand Market attracts an estimated 20,000 tourists a year. Unfortunately, an electrical fire burnt over 1500 of the stalls in May 2009.
Petite Marché[ edit ]
The main fruit and vegetable market in the center of town, can be unpleasant due to hassle, harassment, pestering, crowds, and severely jacked-up prices for visitors. The "Supermarche Haddad" is set up like a Western supermarket and owned by Lebanese men and contains mostly imported European (which means expensive) packaged foods, meats sliced-to-order, alcohol, and health/beauty products. You can get many of the same fruits, vegetables, and some meats and durable goods from other calmer, more pleasant neighborhood markets - the selection of speciality items and beauty products here, however, is good (cereals, cheese, cookies, etc.).
Other Good Markets[ edit ]
One of the cleanest and newest is the cobblestone-paved Marché Albarka – good place for new visitors for a “market warm-up,” and there’s an air-conditioned SahelCom internet cafe outside (500F per hour, 250F per half-hour). Another great one is Marché Bonkaney – friendly with a little bit of everything for sale. The Yantala market is pretty big and also rather chill. Nouveau Marché and Wadata Marché are other options. Wadatta has the added benefit of being right next to the Wadata Artisanal Village as an alternative to the Musée as it is free to get in. Of course, at night, try the Marché de Nuit (aka Night Market) in Yantala. To get to each of these, just tell a taxi the name of the market itself.
Fabric-buying[ edit ]
Niamey's main market
As in other parts of West Africa, Niamey has a good selection of bright colorful pagne fabrics. Each pagne is 2 meters and it is generally sold in 3-pagne sets (in other words, 6 meters.) Sometimes they will sell you either 1 pagne or two pagnes, but other times they will only sell in 3-pagne increments. There is a wide selection of pagnes (30 or more shops/stands) just 1/2 block down the street from the Porte Principal of the Grande Marché. 90 percent of them in that section cost 5,000F for 3 pagnes. If you only want one pagne and they are willing to cut, it should cost 2,000F for just the one. If it is ENITEX brand (made in Niger), it is a bit cheaper - 3 pagnes cost only 4,000F, or one for 1,500F. There are a few brands that are more than 5,000 (7,000F, 12,500F and up) especially from shops within the Grande Marché.
Other stores and markets[ edit ]
Wadatta Artisanal Market: For slightly different goods and no entry fee, try this great location for your craft purchases.
Katako Marché: An interesting cross between a Super Target, Home Depot, and an industrial complex. Watch your pockets, but wander for cheap food, metal goods, wood, hardwares, magic ingredients (gri-gri), etc. It’s also neat to watch the aluminum pots being poured.
Budget[ edit ]
Le Gawlo senegalese restaurant,  (Situated on the other side of the road of ''the nouvelle cité EAMAC'' in the Plateau quarter. Next to a Tuareg juweler which is worth the visit as well.), ☎ 94010342. The restaurant opens during the day. Serves excellent senegalese dishes (not the fatty, oil-saturated dishes that you often find) for 1500F, They also offer a range of natural juices like bissap, jus de baobab and ginger for 250F a glass.   edit .
Baobab Senegalese Restaurant,  (Take a taxi to “Rond Point Maourey” and from there take the street that heads towards the Grand Marché. In less than a half-block you will see its old Maggi sign on the right. Alternately, take a taxi to “Grande Marché – Côté Maourey” and start walking towards Rond Point Maourey – you will see it on the left.). Opens at 12:30, but the food arrives at 1pm. At night food is served from 7pm.. Favorites include sauce d’arachide (peanut sauce) for 800F including beef (more for chicken or fish), yassa (onion-based Senegalese specialty with veggies and meat) for 800F including beef (more for chicken or fish) and spaghetti-poisson (spaghetti and fish) for 2000F. They also have good bisap (sweetened hibiscus leave drink) for 200F/small bottle. By some accounts, the best Senegalese food in Niamey. Good place to go if you are in the neighborhood of either Grande Marché or Petite Marché.   edit
Fast Food de L’Année. Delicious hamburgers for 800F or teazburgers (cheeseburgers) for 1400F. Probably the best burgers (stuffed with fries) in town. They also have egg burgers for the vegetarians, fries, omelets, 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.   edit
Ghanaian Restaurant,  (Take a taxi to “Balafon – Pharmacie Independence” (just north of the Grand Marché). The restaurant is directly across the street from Pharmacie Independence.). Open for lunch (around 12:30) or dinner, but usually closed Sundays.. Try the fufu – delicious at 500F/bowl, generous meat portions are extra. Or, if you are feeling adventurous, try the bonkou – 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 neighborhood of Grande Marché.   edit
Grande Marché Hide-away. From Grande Marché’s Porte Principal (main entrance), head away from the marché. On your left, tucked in amongst other shops and hidden behind a bunch of street vendors, you’ll see a yellow-painted building with the Flag beer sign. Once you go in they have an enclosed shaded courtyard with wooden booths and tables. They have beer and cokes, and plenty of street food sellers are right outside for various food options.   edit
Le Bar Snob. Delicious and cheap food. Run by a woman of Asian descent. Call ahead the day before and order the Chinese soup (20.73.24.83). Ask a taxi for “Pharmacie Inikwara” and then walk north for half a block. Look for the big cement swan planters out front.   edit
Maquis Africa Queen. Amazing food cooked by a sweet Cameroonian lady, plus cheap drinks, tucked away off the street. Ask what she has available for the day as the menu is flexible and the things that she has prepared for the day might not even be on the menu. Try the Soupe de Viande ou Poisson, an incredible meat soup with a Thai lemongrass flavor. Other delicious plates are the Eba with sauce feuille (manioc fufu with a chapata topping that tastes like sautéed spinach), Eba with Ndole sauce (salty but good), and Riz Cantonais. (Again, some of the above are not on the menu – ask for them or ask what she has available that day.) There is also delicious steak with sautéed veggies, plus other basics like fries, petit pois, mixed salad, and aloco (plantains, when in season).  Take a taxi to Rond Point Maourey. If you are facing the hotel, walk ½ block along the street that runs left of the hotel. Prices are very reasonable, 600F to 1500F for most plates, and conjunctures are 450F..   edit
Restaurant Atlantique aka Ziggy’s. Take a taxi to “Hotel Sahel”. Stop the taxi before he turns into the hotel. Walk 20 feet further down the road (east) and turn into the Piscine Olympique. Walk through the empty sandy lot, greet the friendly guardian on his pedal bike, walk behind the often-empty Olympic pool (but if it’s open you can go for a swim for 1000F), and into the restaurant. Food and drinks are ordered separately and come on separate bills. Cokes are 300F, conjunctures (small Bière Niger) are 600F. Food options are brochettes (steak – say “filet”, merguez – beef sausage, tongue, liver, and kidney) for 250F, French fries, peas, green beans, and when in season, fried plantains – each of these plates is 1000F. They also have a tasty salad (at your own risk), ½ chicken, or full chicken. Great place to take newly-arrived visitors for sunset because of the unbeatable view.   edit
Restaurant Liberté. Take a taxi to Rond Point Liberté. Start walking in the direction of the Stade, and it is there on the right. It is run by a nice Sudanese guy who speaks English. The prices he gives you in English are in Nigerian naira – so you need to multiply the price by 5 to arrive at the price in CFA. For instance, if he says 200F, it is really 1,000F. Anyway, they have delicious steak, fries, salad, rice and sauce, etc. Nice place to go after a shopping trip to Grande Marché.   edit
Couscous in Niamey
Mid Range[ edit ]
Amandine. 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.   edit
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.   edit
Ile de Gorée Senegalese Restaurant, Chateau 1 (I-M). Food is served from 12:30pm till it runs out and again in the evenings from around 7pm. In Chateau 1 one can also have quality Senegalese food. Slightly higher prices than the other Senagalese places but still good. From the main Chateau 1 intersection, take the eastern road and it is just down a little way on the left.   edit
Le Damsi Continental, ☎ +227 20 734491. Breakfast, lunch and dinner. It has an extensive and varied menu, though they are usually missing many items. Potential items include everything from burgers and pseudo-milkshakes to decent Chinese and even Japanese food. Try the pizza. Sonara I Building (same building as AIR FRANCE) on Rue du Souvenir.   edit
Le Djinkounme, ☎ +227 20 722181. lunch from 12:30– 2:30 PM, dinner 6:30–11:00 PM. Closed Mon. Great atmosphere, with dining outside or in a small hut. Food from all over western Africa. The menu has good descriptions, and the waitress helps you with your order to make sure you’ll like your meal. Excellent brochettes.  Right off Chateau Un on the same road as the BraNiger outlet, heading north.   edit
Dragon D’Or, ☎ +227 20 734123. lunch 12-2 PM, dinner 7 PM to midnight. Chinese. Dine al fresco or indoors. A/C. 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.   edit
Idrissa Nems. Cheap and good Chinese food. Tell the taxi Pharmacy Chateau Un. They will also deliver but you have to pay for the service and it is often a wait, so order early.   edit
Maquis 2000, ☎ +227 20 735556. West African. Lunch and dinner. Very popular African restaurant for both Americans and Nigeriens alike. Owned by a Cote d’Ivorian, reasonably priced, nice ambiance. One plate and a few side dishes is enough for two. A little tough to find and very slow service but it’s worth the effort. Not far from the Eglise Baptiste.   edit
Splurge[ edit ]
La Casbah, ☎ +227 20 752602. Opens at 7:30 PM. North African Cuisine. Coming from Tillaberi, turn onto Maurice Delens toward Mali Bero and then take the very first left.  You’ll see the sign immediately.  This delightful and attractively decorated restaurant serves delicious couscous dishes and traditional Algerian tadjines.  Try the Salad Casbah as an appetizer with its variety of tomato, eggplant and green peppers.  For the carnivore, try the Couscous Royale, which has a good portion of chicken, mutton and sausage brochettes. They also have a fine selection of cocktails including daiquiris.  Service is first rate.   edit
Chez Chin’s, ☎ +227 20 722528. Lunch 10:30 PM to 2 PM, dinner 5:30 PM – 11 PM. 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.   edit
La Diamangou, ☎ +227 20 735143. Serves lunch and dinner. Call ahead for times - it changes. French and African cuisine. On the Corniche Gamkalley. Dine on a boat.  Sunday lunch by reservation only. Very slow service, but good food. Good for a change in atmosphere. It’s also possible to rent the boat and have your meal while cruising the Niger. 30,000F per person, minimum of 10 people.   edit
L’Exotique, ☎ +227 20 734050. Opens at 6 PM. French and African Cuisine. Service is a little slow but the ambiance makes the meal worth the wait. Located directly across from the Commisserate Central, 2 blocks past Dragon d’Or. Good seafood dishes and good pizza. Serves free bread with pimenty salsa. Local music groups Friday and Saturday nights starting at 9pm.   edit
Le Pilier, ☎ +227 20 724985. Lunch 12:30 PM – 2 PM, dinner from 6:30 – 11:30 PM. Italian. Another expat favorite--for their desserts and their meals. Homemade pastas, ricotta and mozzarella cheeses. They even have cappuccino and tiramisu. Everything on the menu is good. Located on Rue de la Tapoa.   edit
La Pizzeria, ☎ +227 20 741240. lunch 11:30 - 1:30 PM, dinner 6:30 - 10:30 PM. Closed Mon. Pizza and Pasta. Take out or eat-in. A wide selection of pizza toppings, and the service is quick. Good, thin crusted pizza in a comfortable setting. Also great calzones. Great for kids as they can watch the cook make the pizza. Near Rue de Combat, by Croissant d’Or on Rue du Commerce. Tell the taxi "Siege BIA", and it is just down the street on the right.   edit
Le Shanghai, ☎ +227 96 903437. Chinese. Lunch and dinner. Dine indoors or outdoors. A/C and private party rooms available. This restaurant is run by the same owners of Le Dragon D’Or. The food is very good. Located on Mali Bero, one block south from the intersection with Maurice Delens.   edit
Tabakady, ☎ +227 20 735818. Opens for dinner at 7:30 PM. French cuisine. Reservations required. A very pleasant restaurant, decorated with photos of the Sahara Desert and the Tuareg.  If you ask in advance, the owner will show a slide presentation. The food is excellent. Off of the Place de la Republique, on Avenue de President Karl Carsten.   edit
Le Watta. Upscale Ivorian restaurant. Tell a taxi “Station Terminus” and then walk north ½ block. Not far from the Grand Hotel and Hotel Terminus. Serves “Western” and a variety of West African dishes.  Friendly staff.   edit
Zanzibar. Very small portions but a wide selection of good food, and a friendly owner from Australia.   edit
Other food tips[ edit ]
Pots and pans in a Niamey market
Zenabou’s Dumbou Stand (I):  The best street food in Niamey! It’s well worth the trip. Take a taxi to “Sonara Deux”, which is a tall 9-story building covered in tan crosses. If the taximan does not know it, say “Maternité Issaka Gazoby”, which is across the street. Alternately, you can walk from Petite Marché, past Rip-off Row, past La Cloche Restaurant, and keep going – Sonora Deux is the second tall building on your right. Wrap around the building to the front (walking towards the bridge). She has a yellow & red Maggi hangar on the right. Sit down on the wooden benches and when it’s your turn she’ll point to you and ask what you want. Expect around a 15-minute wait to be served as she is quite popular. Get the dumbou with everything. Dumbou is a popular specialty of Niger, consisting of corn couscous, steamed moringa greens, black-eyed peas, a tomato-squash sauce, and spices. Women might get for 150F (waranza in Djerma) and men for 200F (way-tachi in Djerma). Meat is extra but an incredible addition to the dumbou. Try the pounded/pileéd guinea fowl mixed with sesame and hot pepper, for 100F (To say “meat for 100F” in Djerma, say “Ham, waranka”.) Careful, the pounded guinea fowl meat contains bones. Open Mon-Fri 12:30-4:30 or later. The guy with the cooler next to her has a gingery lemu-hari drink for 50F (small) or 100F (large), PureWater, and yogurts. Nice place to go if you are in the neighborhood of Petite Marché or the Musée.
Nigerian Hot Pockets stuffed with curried mashed potatoes, and other goodies Take a taxi to Rond Point Liberté. Head north for 1/3 block and she is on the left, with the hot pockets displayed in a glass case, next to a tiny blue-painted shop. She is Nigerian and speaks English. Prices are cheap. This is a good place for a snack if you are at the Grand Marché. From the Grand Marché, go to Côté Maourey and walk down the road that goes towards the Stade. In a couple blocks you will see Pharmacie Liberté and the round point. She also has delicious fried dough cakes wrapped around hard-boiled eggs.
almost across the street from the travel agency SatGuru, but further east.
The Meat Sandwich Guy The meat sandwich guy is on the left  Mali-Bero road, just west of the Stade road. Taxi to “Pharmacie Mali-Bero” then with the pharmacy on your left, walk a half-block and look for his red Nescafe booth just past the technical school. He is open to coincide with the breaks at the school. He is ready to serve around 10h and 16h. Most Peace Corps volunteers use him for a quick stop in passing for his delicious meat sandwiches stuffed with fries. However, he is more than just meat sandwiches. Vegetarians should try his omelet sandwich. However, very highly recommended is his version of nacho fries. This is a mountain of fries topped with seasoned ground beef or a fried egg, sauce, mayo etc. all for about 750F. Sit down, order the fries, and get a coffee to boot. Well worth taking your time there rather than just doing take-out.
Fried cheese (Wagashi) (I): In season, this is a delicacy coming to us from Benin and Togo. It sells in the Petit Marché as red discus-shaped rounds that you can then cook up yourself. We do not recommend eating it raw. Alternatively, there are two women who sell it fried and ready to eat. One is just behind Score near the Senegalese Restaurant with the blue walls. Ask around as she is not always there. The other is near the gas station “Station Katako” on the road leading into town from the Stade, in the trees on the North side of the street that form the Tillaberi and Gotheye bush taxi station. She sells all sorts of chichena (fried bean cakes) and patats (fried sweet potatoes) etc. so the cheese can sometimes be hidden in the pile. Look for it in the center of her wares in a small plastic bowl. Buy some (25F apiece) and then eat it with rice from the rice lady a little to the west.
A great street food lady with fufu and wagashi under a big tent (I): Wagashi (friend cheese) is also sometimes available at a very popular food tent that runs from 9am to 1pm across from the Grand Mosquée, on the street heading south.  It is basically at the crossroads on the south-eastern corner of the grand mosquée compound.  There is usually a swarm of taxicabs parked there while drivers grab breakfast/brunch. Good pounded yam (fufu) and lemu-hari drink too.
Good hand-made grilled sausage (I): Take a taxi to Cinema Soni and get out at Avenue Arewah. Start walking north on Avenue Arewah. Pass one intersection and then look for him half-way along the blank wall of the school on the right. He is sometimes hidden in among the Ghanaian semi-trailers that use the wall as a waiting point.
“Pepperoni-style” hand-made grilled sausage (I): Take a taxi to Rond Point Eglise. Walk south towards Marina Market. He is at a Maggi grill on the left just a block or two down. 250F/sausage with condiments. He is there in the afternoons and evenings. He may not look like he has sausage if he is not grilling, but he keeps the cooked meat covered and warm so step up and ask!
Grilled Meat (I): Down the road from the bar La Toulousain/Ebenezers is a meat griller with a Maggi stand. There are always cars parked next to it waiting for well-seasoned meat.  Rumor has it that President Tandja likes to get his meat from here.  However, there is grilled mutton on almost any street corner in Niamey and it is always delicious. Specify that you prefer meat to fat. 500F gets you a small serving for 1-2 people.
Fried plantains In season, find them on either side of the intersection just North of the Grand Marché, formed by Avenue Arewah and Boulevard de l’Independence. One of these women makes them as little fried balls of banana bread, which are excellent with sugar or her spicy salsa. She is from Ghana and speaks English.
Delicious Kilishi (beef jerky): Kilishi is a specialty of Niger. There are three varieties: plain, hot pepper, and spicy peanut sauce.  Never buy it from Katako Marché as it is dried right over the aluminum smelters (worth seeing sometime). Try instead one of the smaller operations around town, such as the drying racks just east of Round Point Liberté or at the Yantala night market. If you buy it on the street, ask the seller where it was made as you really do not want the stuff that has been dried in Katako.
Dégué Dégué are little millet balls, and when they are in yoghurt they are reminiscent of a whole-grain tapioca pudding. Excellent dégué is available next to “Nigelec siege” in Plateau, within easy walking distance from the Centre Culturel Americain.  Martine’s stand is slightly hidden, next to a lady selling dumbou but if you ask someone will point you in the right direction.  It is usually sold in increments of 150, 200, 250 and so on in sachets or sit in and enjoy the dégué with a plastic bowl and ladle.  Dégué is also available from sellers in the Grand Marché if you are in there and need a snack while shopping. Or ask around where you are and see if someone is not selling out of their concession nearby where you are staying.
Best bisap and apollo in town (I): Bisap is a sweetended hibiscus-leaf drink with mint. * Apollo is a frozen slushy made from the baobab fruit, with a deep rich flavor. Take a taxi to Lamordé Ganda from the Grand Marché or Petit Marché for 200F. Pass the big mosque and then get out at a white-walled square boutique with a blue-green door a ways along on the left. If it is closed, ask for Rashida in the courtyard to the right.
Masaki’s Some nights there is live music at Masaki’s,. Taxi to Mairie Commune 1 and walk east. Look for their fliers or drop in and ask what is planned.  It is run by a French guy and his Nigerien wife. Also serves as a hotel with nice rooms.
Drink[ edit ][ add listing ]
They love Nescafe
Keep in mind that drinking alcohol is generally forbidden in Muslim culture, so take extra care to keep drunken inappropriate behavior behind closed doors and out of the public eye. Most of the Western-style restaurants above also serve drinks, 'Restaurant Atlantique in particular have an amazing river view, especially great around sunset. (See the "Eat" section)
Sorghum beer bars[ edit ]
There are three Burkinabé millet or sorghum beer bars (called dolo or tchouk),all in Yantala Ancien, behind the French Embassy. The easiest place to start is to have a cab drop you off on the paved road that runs along the east wall of the French Embassy. Start walking along the dirt road that runs along the North (back) wall of the Embassy. You will pass a Christian Pentacostal church. Take the right after the church, then another immediate right, then the next left. She runs the operation out of her courtyard, is really nice if you are kind to her and her kids, and she will help keep the drunks at bay. Late afternoon is a great time to go. It is also a great cultural experience as almost everyone there is from Burkina. Take some ice if you want cool dolo. She has dolo Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and sometimes Monday. Two different women make it on the other days of the week as well as the weekend. For the other two, it is best to go to the first lady, pretend like you did not know she was not serving that day, and tip a kid 50 francs to take you to the next location. Or, from Rond Point Yantala, walk towards the French Embassy a few blocks and then veer off on a diagonal road to your right. Take the next right, then a quick left into her compound at the end of a long and narrow path between her houses. The only problem is there are two diagonal roads… try the first one and then ask someone if you get confused.
Other bars[ edit ]
Niamey Nightlife
L’Epervier (The Night Market Bar), Marché de Nuit–Yantala. It's best to arrive just before sunset in this bar. Go in and get a drink plus street food (both outside and inside) at the cozy locals-only bar, when it gets dark. Then, go out on the street and shop for modern clothing in the glow of black lights amid the throngs of young men and women.   edit
La Legone, Nouveau Marché (Two or three blocks west of the Nouveau Marché on one of the diagonals coming out of the marché). a bar for the locals.  It has a great feel and is tucked away in the Nouveau Marché neighborhood.    The beer is cold and they have great fare for lunch and dinner if you are interested in local food. Well worth the trip to a local bar in a non-expat part of town.   edit
La Cloche, Avenue Luebké, ☎ +226 20 732462. Pool-playing and casual atmosphere though it's definitely for wealthy locals and expats. Lebanese and western fare and great cocktails. If you don't mind the large number of prostitutes, the bar has some friendly people. They have a takeout counter with some of the best hamburgers in Niamey, using real hamburger buns(as opposed to the very dense ones used around town) for around 1500 CFA.   edit
Grand Hotel Terrace, BP 471, Gaweye, ☎ +227 20 732641, [3] . The Grand Hotel has also houses a popular bar with an Amazing river view, which is especially good around sunset. Jazz and happy hour brochettes on Thursday and Sunday nights.   edit
Learn[ edit ]
The Universite Abdou Moumouni de Niamey [4] was created 1971 and is the only public  university in Niger. As of 2008, it welcomed more than eight thousands students. The university has five faculties.
Libraries[ edit ]
The CCFN (see above) contains a large library in French. There is an impressive collection of French-language books about Niger found in a separated part of this library (and with slightly different hours) called the "Centre des Resources Documentaires".
The Centre Culturel Americain (Rue de la Tapoa) has a modest selection of English-language books (mostly about the USA), a couple dozen magazines, and (most of the time) a small selection of newspapers (often a week or two old). There is another library which mostly contains novels used by students taking English courses at the center; however, if you are carrying books with you that you no longer want, you could ask the librarian if you could swap for one of the books in the library. This center also hosts a weekly film (usually in English w/French subtitles), although it's not as large a venue or spectacular a crowd as at the CCFN or CCOG.
There are two large libraries for serious research (not for casual browsing), both of which only allow librarians to enter the room where books are kept to retrieve what you are looking for: Institute des Recherches des Sciences Humaines (Humanities Research Institute, 227 20 735141) and the neighboring Centre d'Etudes Linguistique et Historiques par Tradition Orale (Center for Linguistic Studies and Historical Oral Tradition, 227 20 735414). Both have nearly 20,000 titles, but, again, are not very formidable to casual browsing.
Niamey by night
Budget & Mid range[ edit ]
Chez Tatayi, ☎ +227 20 741281 ( auberge@tatayi.com ), [5] . A small homey place near the Grand Hotel. They even have dorms for budget travelers. 5000F or less per night. The owner Natalie is French/Canadian and is very nice. The rooms vary in price depending if you want A/C or a private room, but all are very affordable.   edit
Homeland Hotel, Avenue du Général de Gaulle,, ☎ +227 20 732606. Good sized rooms in good condition as this hotel opened in 2004, though no river views and no swimming pool.   edit
Hotel Les Roniers, Rue Tondibia (7 km west of town), ☎ +227 20 723138 (fax: +227 20722133). Traditional cottages with thatched roofs, though a great deal more upscale than the locals residences set in a pretty garden, with a good restaurant and a hip pool with loads of atmosphere during the evening. 24.000F (single) and 26.500F (double).   edit
Hotel Masaki, Boulevard Mali Béro (On Mali-bero just off the ''Stade'' road), ☎ +227 96 965324. Nice rooms, good music some nights, and great bar food. Run by a French guy and his Nigerien wife. Attached gallery also has some interesting art on occasion   edit
Hotel Maourey, Centre Ville 144, ☎ +227 20 732850. Centrally located at Rond Point Maourey, this hotel has aircon, running water a nice terrace a worn down look and prostitutes lingering in the lobby, Still one of the better mid-range options. 35-40,000F per night.   edit
Hotel Oasis, Boulevard Mali Bero (Several blocks west of the ''Stade'' road), ☎ +227 20 752775, [6] . Over 30.000F per night.   edit
Hotel Sahel, Rue du Sahel, ☎ +227 20 732431, [7] . Air conditioned rooms with showers, and several bungalows right on the river, with great views. Some rooms have been renovated recently. It's not the safest of neighbourhoods though.   edit
Hotel Tenere, Boulevard de la Liberte (A few blocks from Grande Marché.), ☎ +227 20 732020., [8] . 4 star hotel with Swimming pool and a central location. 44-60.000F.   edit
Hotel Terminus, Rue du Sahel, ☎ +227 20 732692. Each room have own entrance from patio. Good restaurant. Swimming pool.   edit
Mission Catholique, Ave du Gountou Yena, ☎ +227 20 733203. A cheap and clean place to stay 2 blocks from Rond Point Maourey. Around 10000F for a two-bed room. Officially it's only available to NGO's and other volunteers, but they have been known to take in polite guests. Of you intend to arrive over the weekend, make sure to get a reservation. The reception is closed from saturday noon to monday morning.   edit
Villa Chinois,  (On the road of the ''Stade'' (stadium) almost to Mali-bero.). Cheap government lodging that is open to guests as long as the government is not using it for a training. It is not clean up to hotel standard and there are no mosquito nets provided, though you will certainly want one during rainy season. Pending preference, the village can be quite the attraction at night (or rather the opposite) as the place is known for it's prostitution. 10000 F CFA a night (for a room that sleeps one or two).   edit
Splurge[ edit ]
If you stay near the river, you can get a view like this before bedtime
Hotel Gaweye, Place Kennedy 1, ☎ +227 20 723400, [9] . Four-star hotel - great view, older but decent conveniences (hot water, semi-functional central air-con). Don't walk near the ravine that runs near there to the center of town - renown for banditry. Great swimming pool and high speed internet. 70-150.000F.   edit
Grand Hotel du Niger, BP 471, ☎ +227 20 732641 ( contact@grandhotelniger.com , fax: +227 20732643), [10] . Four-star hotel. Some rooms renovated, magnificent view over Niger river and the city of Niamey. Air-con. Great jazz and brochettes on Thursday and Sunday nights. 49-87.000F.   edit
Contact[ edit ]
Internet (Slow) modem and satellite connection. Rate - about 500 FCFA (1€) / hour.  Wi-Fi is emerging in the city and can already be purchased on a 'pay as you go' basis with scratch-off cards in the better hotels and in the city center.
Post/CourrierThe main post office is located on Rue de la Poste halfway between the Place de la Concorde/Assemble National and Place Monteil. DHL Express is located on Boulevard de la Liberte.
Respect[ edit ]
Proper attire: Dress is much more conservative than other West African countries. Look around to see how the majority of local people dress, and you can see it is offensive if you are not dressed conservatively. Shorts, above-the knee skirts, and tank tops should basically never be worn in the capital, in Hausa regions, or up north. This will also help cut down on harassment. Note, as well, that people in Niamey dress up as nicely as they can afford to, so it's not recommended to dress like you are "slumming."
Giving gifts: Think carefully before giving out “cadeaux” (gifts) or money to kids or even adults that you do not know personally, especially those that ask for one (genuine beggars excepted). Be aware that after you give out cadeaux, future travelers after you for the next 10-20 years will be targets for unceasing and increasingly obnoxious demands for cadeaux, and Westeners will be seen only as a source of gifts. The annoyance you cause future visitors is probably not worth the trinket. Instead, give it to a reputable local charity or school to be distributed, or a family that has done something nice for you.
General: Niamey is a safe city but be aware of several things:
Carry as little as possible.
For guys, watch your wallet in your back pocket.
For girls, be aware that they can cut the strap of your bag and run.
The most dangerous places are anywhere the road crosses the ravine that runs through town, including next to the Stade (between the Stade and Katako), and between the Musée and Hotel Gaweye. Robberies are more common there because the bad guys can disappear into the ravine.
The water in the city is usually ok to drink, but sometimes not. To be safe, you can buy filtered, sealed PureWater (pronounced Pure-Watta) for 25 CFA per small bag. (Outside of the city it may be either 25 or 50 CFA). Ask at any stall that has a fridge.
Con artists: A frequent scam, anywhere in town but especially near Petit Marché, involves someone coming up to you and acting like he knows you well. He says his car or motorcycle got in an accident and he needs 10,000F to fix it, or variations on this theme. If you don’t know the person beyond a shadow of a doubt, don’t believe him or her.
Embassies[ edit ]
Canada, Mali Bero Boulevard, ☎ +227 20 753686. M-Th 8AM-12:30PM, 1PM-4:30PM, F 7:30AM-1PM.   edit
Egypt,  (Rond point - Grand Hotel - Terminus),  (fax: +277 20 722594), [11] . 9:00 AM - 15:00 PM.   edit
Denmark (Bureau de Cooperation Danoise), Rue YN39, BP, ☎ +227 20 723948.   edit
France, Route de Tondibia, ☎ +227 20 722431, [12] .   edit
Greece, B.P. 10350, ☎ +227 96 962171 ( alassanekonek@yahoo.fr , fax: +227 20 736510).   edit
United States, Rue des Ambassades, ☎ +227 20 722661/62/63/64, [13] . M-Th 8AM-5:30PM, F 8AM-1PM.   edit
Visa Extensions[ edit ]
Visa extensions are granted at the Direction de la Surveillance du territoire on Rue Heinrich Luebke. Bring two photographs and the appropriate fee. Expect one day service, although a small gift could probably get you same day service.
Get out[ edit ]
One of the last wild giraffes in West Africa peeks under a tree
Giraffes West Africa's last surviving giraffe herd is just 45 minutes outside of Niamey (near Koure ) and guided tours are available.
Baleyara , roughly 2 hours east, is home to a large and vibrant crafts market on Sundays. A must-do daytrip. On other days, however, the rural town is barren and there are no hotels.
Boubon, 25km northwest on the route towards Tillaberi & Gao, is a city known for its pottery. Soil it taken from the banks of the river and formed into many different household potteries, set out to dry, and baked in large open pits. Wednesday is market day here, and the easiest day to find public transport from Niamey. Other days, it might be necessary to take a bush taxi to nearby Relais and then take a pirougue to Boubon.
W National Park is a massive park named after the 'W' shape of the Niger River in it and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site . Simmilar to the large game parks of eastern Africa except that the landscape is less open and more shrub-filled and forest-like and there is less of a presence of large herbivores than E.Africa. Three hours south of Niamey, it could easily be organized as a day-long trip, but to fully enjoy the park, an overnight stay is recommended. The conservation project ECOPAS is working to improve the park's infrastructure, protect its inhabitants, and attract tourists. ECOPAS's Niamey headquarters can be consulted for tourism info (tel. 72 53 48); they also sell printed books/guides for/about the park.
Agadez While a considerable distance away (1000km), there are frequent bus connections to this city which once was the most popular tourist destination in Niger. The city itself is safe to visit, but due to the ongoing Tuareg rebellion, travel outside the city is not allowed. A permit may be necessary, so consult local authorities before taking a bus. A military escort is necessary for part of the journey to protect against bandits, don't worry, though, as travelling this route is safe (with escort).
This is a guide article.  It has a variety of good, quality information including hotels, restaurants, attractions, arrival and departure info. Plunge forward and help us make it a star !