Travel Facts
US State Dept Travel Advisory
The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens Reconsider Travel to Niger due to crime, terrorism, and kidnapping. Consult its website via the link below for updates to travel advisories and statements on safety, security, local laws, and special circumstances in this country.
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html
Passport/Visa Requirements
US citizens should make sure their passport is valid at the date of their entering the country. They should also make sure they have at least 2 blank pages in their passport for any entry stamp that will be required. A visa is required. US citizens will need to get in touch with the country’s embassy or nearest consulate to obtain a visa prior to visiting the country.
US Embassy/Consulate
[227] 20-72-26-61; US Embassy Niamey, BP 11201, Niamey, Niger; consulateniamey@state.gov; https://ne.usembassy.gov/
Telephone Code
227
Local Emergency Phone
199
Vaccinations
An International Certificate of Vaccination for yellow fever is required for all travelers. See WHO recommendations. On 21 March 2022, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Travel Alert for polio in Africa; Niger is currently considered a high risk to travelers for polio; the CDC recommends that before any international travel, anyone unvaccinated, incompletely vaccinated, or with an unknown polio vaccination status should complete the routine polio vaccine series; before travel to any high-risk destination, CDC recommends that adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series receive a single, lifetime booster dose of polio vaccine.
http://www.who.int/
Climate
Varies; equatorial in south, tropical in center, arid in north
Currency (Code)
Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (Western African CFA francs, XOF)
Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s)
230 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): D, G
Major Languages
French, Hausa, Djerma
Major Religions
Muslim 99.3%, Christian 0.3%, animist 0.2%
Time Difference
UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Potable Water
Opt for bottled water
International Driving Permit
Suggested
Road Driving Side
Right
Tourist Destinations
Zinder; Niamey; Agadez; W Benin-Niger National Park; Ayorou
Major Sports
Soccer, rugby
Cultural Practices
Using the left hand for eating or greeting is considered unclean, use the right hand instead.
Tipping Guidelines
Tipping 10% of the total restaurant bill is appropriate. Tour guides and/or drivers should receive 10% and 5% respectively of the total bill.
Souvenirs
Gold and silver jewelry, leather goods, dyed fabric items, Tuareg native weapons, woven baskets, decorated gourds
Traditional Cuisine
Dambou - rice flour, fine hard wheat semolina (couscous semolina), or millet, wheat or corn couscous; the cereals are steamed for about 20 to 30 minutes and added to boiling moringa leaves; other ingredients are added including onion, chili, salt, broth, peanut, vegetable oil, meat or fish as a side dish
Please visit the following links to find further information about your desired destination.
World Health Organization (WHO) - To learn what vaccines and health precautions to take while visiting your destination.
US State Dept Travel Information - Overall information about foreign travel for US citizens.
To obtain an international driving permit (IDP). Only two organizations in the US issue IDPs:
American Automobile Association (AAA) and American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA)
How to get help in an emergency?
Contact the nearest US embassy or consulate, or call one of these numbers:
from the US or Canada - 1-888-407-4747 or from Overseas - +1 202-501-4444
Page last updated: Wednesday, October 19, 2022
