Niger Travel Safety

Road safety

Except for main routes, roads are generally in poor condition throughout the country. Local driving habits, bicycles, mopeds, pedestrians, roaming farm animals, slow-moving donkey carts and broken-down vehicles pose hazards. If you must travel outside of Niamey despite our advisory, do so only during daylight hours and in a convoy of several vehicles in excellent mechanical condition and accompanied by an experienced driver. Emergency roadside or medical assistance is not available. Do not travel after dark. Nighttime attacks on tourists have occurred in most of the country, specifically, on the Agadez-Arlit, Agadez-Tahoua and within the city of Zinder. Do not leave the main roads. There are landmines in the northern region of Agadez, which occasionally cause injuries and deaths. In case of an accident, report to the nearest police station to file a report.

Public transportation

Public transportation is not recommended, including transportation organized by hotels. Consider hiring a driver for your stay in Niger.

Women's safety

Tourists should not walk alone in Niger, but areas in Niamey near the Gaweye Hotel, the National Museum, the Petit Marché, and on or near the Kennedy Bridge are of particular concern. Women should be vigilant all the time and aware of the surroundings. Avoid dark or non-tourist areas at night. Instead try to be around larger crowds, whether they are fellow tourists or local citizens. Females should be cautious while dealing with strangers and acquaintances. Women may be subject to unpleasant male attention, sexual harassment and verbal abuse. Avoid flash of money or valuables in public. Exercise a high degree of caution during travel.

Crime

There is a moderate level of crime in Niger, including in the capital. However, muggings, armed assaults and theft can happen. In Niamey, pickpocketing and purse snatching also occur. Foreign nationals in particular are targeted. Avoid walking after dark and displaying any signs of affluence in public. Do not leave valuables or bags unattended.

Kidnapping

There is a high threat of kidnapping from terrorist groups throughout Niger. Do not travel to isolated areas, particularly to the regions of Agadez, Arlit, Tahoua, nor to the regions bordering Mali and Burkina Faso. Foreign nationals have been kidnapped.

Terrorism

There is a threat of terrorism throughout Niger due to the country's participation in and support for stabilization and counter-terrorism interventions in Mali, its involvement in a regional military offensive against Boko Haram in the Chad Basin area and its close proximity to unstable countries, such as Libya and Nigeria. Citizens of countries that support the Nigerian government or regional interventions, are at particular risk, but all travellers should exercise increased vigilance in the region. Be aware of your surroundings at all times in public places. Bandits and terrorist groups operate freely in certain isolated regions of the country. There is a heightened risk of armed hold-ups in the areas north of the Tahoua-Zinder-Diffa axis.

LGBT

Although the laws of Niger do not prohibit sexual acts between individuals of the same sex, homosexuality is not socially tolerated. Members of the LGBT community could face arrest under other charges, such as committing "unnatural acts". An "unnatural act" with a person of the same sex who is under the age of 21 can be punishable by a fine of 10,000 to 100,000 francs and up to 3 years imprisonment.

Illegal or restricted activities

Do not photograph political or student demonstrations. Photography of military installations, radio and television stations, the airport, bridges and the Presidential Palace is prohibited. Seek permission before taking any photographs.

Driving

An International Driving Permit is required.