TRAVEL
TIPS
| Driving |
TBA |
| Currency |
(XOF)
Africaine Franc |
| Electrical |
220 Volts |
| Telephones |
Country
Code 227 |
Currency,
weights, and measures: Local currency is the CFA franc, presently
exchanged at 575 CFA francs=US$1. The same currency is used throughout
most of former French West Africa. Metric weights and measures
are used. Temperatures are in centigrade.
Health:
Check latest information on required immunizations. Suggested
immunizations are yellow fever, tetanus, typhoid, and polio. Malaria
suppressants and gamma globulin are recommended. Although Niamey
has a filtering plant, water is not potable and should be filtered
and boiled, or treated with purification pills. Outside Niamey,
observe the same precautions.
Telecommunications:
Niamey has telephone, telegraph, and fax facilities. Calls to
the U.S. may be made at any time, but quality of reception varies.
Niamey is 6 hours ahead of eastern standard time (5 hours when
the east coast is on daylight savings time). Niger does not observe
daylight savings time. International airmail letters to or from
the eastern U.S. take 3-6 days; service is fairly regular.
Transportation:
Travel within Niger and to neighboring countries is by air and
road. Scheduled air service is available to neighboring capitals.
Major airlines operating in Niger are Air France and Air Afrique.
Of the three major roads leading from Niamey, one is paved for
the first 100 km. (60 mi.) towards Tillaberi; another is paved
for 700 km. (460 mi.) to Agadez, and the third is paved for 1,240
km. (770 mi.) through Dosso, Maradi, Zinder, Goure, and to Nguigmi.
Other roads in Niger are paved for short distances. Taxis are
the only public transportation in Niamey that is somewhat adequate,
inexpensive, and generally obtainable in business or market areas.
Tourist
attractions: These include the wildlife parks at Park W, Boubon
Island recreation area in the Niger River near Niamey, the area
of Say near the Benin border, and Diffa on Lake Chad. Historic
sites include Tahoua; Agadez, with its 16th century mosque; ruins
of the Sokoto Empire in Maradi and Konni; and Zinder, the colonial
capital of Niger until the capital relocated to Niamey in the
1920s. Native art and handicrafts are available, particularly
at Agadez. (However, travel to Agadez and other northern cities
is discouraged due to ongoing political and ethnic tension.)
National
holidays: The U.S. Embassy is closed on the following official
Nigerien holidays; shops and businesses also may be closed.
New Year's Day -- January 1
Id-al-Fitr (End of Ramadan)* -- March
Easter Monday* -- April
Niger Labor Day -- May 1
Ad-Al-Adha/Tabaski* -- June
Niger Independence Day -- August 3
Mohammed's Birthday/Mouloud* -- August
National Unity Day -- December 18
Christmas Day -- December 25
Date changes annually
