niger

area
population
capital
head of state
official language
currency
exchange rate

(source: lonely planet)

1,267,000 sq km
10.5 million
niamey
tandja mamadou
french
west african cfa
check out oanda.com
for current exchange rates

this information comes from a visit to the country in mai 2002. things might have changed since then. these are my personal impressions and it's well possible that other travellers will not share my views.

accra, ghana: the niger embassy in accra seems to be one of few embassies that issue the famous five-westafrican-country-visa (visa ENTENTE). it’s valid for two months and costs CFA 25’000. the embassy issued the visa within less than an hour!

the five country visa is valid for a declared period of two months… not for two months after the first entry. it allows one entry per country.

the embassy is located on independency avenue, opposite of the ‘pegasus’ house, just south of the sankara intersection.

getting in and out

from burkina faso: the road turns in to pot whole hell as soon as you cross the border. the customs officers did't have laissez passer for motorbikes and wanted to see a carnet. (but i'm sure they'd issue a laissez passer for car, if you insist.

to nigeria from birni konni: there is a road toll booth, just outside birni. it's for vehicules ENTERING niger. the guys might ask for a road tax for leaving, but it's a scam as you only drive 2km on niger soil. 

places to stay

niamey: you can stay at "chez moustache" in the centre. it's a rather run down brothel, but the rooms are nice enough and it's reasonably quiet at night

other