The South, Niger

Displayed:   times.

Stretching in an arc a little over 200km (124mi) long is a string of southern towns that are all worth visiting. Dosso (named for the Djerma spirit, Do-Do) is an important Islamic citadel. It is home to the Djermakoye, the most important Djerma religious leader, and his Sudanese-style compound can be only be visited with special permission. Today it's a crossroads town, with roads to Benin and western Nigeria. Dosso hosts the celebrations for Republic Day.

A short 100km (62mi) down the road is the town of Dogondoutchi, a sleepy little by-way with a laid back pace, and a pleasant walk up a nearby hill that will give you great views of an impressive nearby escarpment. Another 200km (124mi) further on is Tahoua, the fourth largest city in Niger and a major stop on the Niamey-Agadez road. The main attraction in Tahoua is the market on Sunday that attracts a large and bustling crowd. Maradi, closer to the Nigerian border than Tahoua, was destroyed in 1945 but has since been rebuilt on higher ground. Goods tend to be cheaper in Maradi than elsewhere, as a lot of them have been smuggled across the Nigerian border.

Niamey to Dosso is 140km (87mi); to Dogondoutchi, 277km (172mi); to Tahoua, 574km (356mi); and to Maradi, 657km (221mi). All these places can be reached by bush taxis, buses and minibuses.

Rate this tip:

Rate!

Add Comment >>

Your Name:

Your Comment:

General Tips about Niger

» Required travel documents for Niger
» Electric power
» Area code to Niger
» National holidays
» Tourist attractions
» Telecommunications
» Health
» Currency, weights, and measures
» Transportation in Niger
» Communications in Niger
» History of Niger
» Maradi
» Fachi
» Ingal
» Tillaberi
» Baleyara
» Koure
» Timia
» Air Mountains
» Nguigmi
» Arlit
» Niger
» Zinder
» The South
» Parc W
» Agadez
» Niamey

   More travel tips about Niger