Niger, officially the Republic of Niger, is a landlocked country in Western Africa, named after the Niger River. Niger covers a land area of almost 1,270,000 km2, making it the largest nation in West Africa, with over 80 percent of its land area covered by the Sahara desert.

Niger is one of only three countries in West Africa that are entirely landlocked. Most of the land, stretching north and east, bordering Algeria, Libya, and Chad, is sandy desert and is criss-crossed by ancient trade routes of the trans-Saharan merchants.Wildlife enthusiasts will not be disappointed in Niger, since in the southwest of the country the climate changes to sub-tropical, cooled by the calming waters of the Niger River that flows through the area. Here, you have ample opportunity to see hippos and giraffes in the wild, as well as big cats like leopards and lions.

For Self drive Travelers, Please Note that the Roads in northern Niger are permanently closed to tourists, except with special authorisation it can be Opened: Chirfa (Djado) / Djanet (Algeria) ,Achouloma (north Djado) / Salvador Pass (Libya) ,Adrar Bous (north Aïr) / Djanet (Algeria) ,Adrar Bous (north Aïr) / In Azawa (Algeria), Agadez / Arlit / Iferouane and Agadez / Tahoua. The Capital City is Niamey, located in the far-southwest corner of Niger and it has good roads but other Roads are in Bad Conditions and many Cases  cases of cars hitting landmines in Niamey, and reports of land mines being used in Burkina Faso on the road to Ouagadougou .

Due to the High Risk of occasional car-jackings and highway robberies  we advise Self drive Travelers not to Take Driving at Night.

Local Niger Car Rental Companies have offices in the Capital city of Niamey and offer self drive Car Hire for Independent Travelers but ask your local Government before Traveling to Niger.