Koure

One of the last wild giraffes in West Africa peeks under a tree

Koure is a town in Southwestern Niger, known for its location near West Africa's last herd of giraffes.

Get in

By bus

Busses between Niamey and the eastern parts of the country can stop here, but your best bet is a bush taxi from Niamey (45

Organizing transport from Niamey

Find some friends and split the cost for a car and driver. You might pay as much as 45,000F for the car and driver depending on the season and how far out the giraffes have wandered. He drives out to Kouré (65 km) and you see a billboard on the left and a hut structure, this is the park headquarters. Some people arrange their transport through Abdou, 96-97-44-46 or for a large group you could go out to the minibuses that leave from the Grand Marché and have a go at your own negotiations. Or talk to the city taxi drivers parked in front of Wadatta and aim to get the trip for around 20-25000F. During the rainy season, the giraffes are closer to the road. If this is the case you can avoid renting a car. Instead, go to Wadatta, buy a ticket, and take a bush taxi to Kouré, and then the guide will walk you over to the giraffes.

See

• Giraffes West Africa's last surviving giraffe herd lives near the city. At the park headquarters, you pay 4000F per person for tourists, 3000F for “foreign residents”, or 1000F for Nigeriens. You also pay 5,000F per carload for the Guide Association fee, and then a tip at the end for the guide himself. Don’t forget your ID because you do go through a check-point. During the rainy season, the giraffes are closer to the road. If this is the case you can avoid renting a car. Instead, go to Wadatta, buy a ticket, and take a bush taxi to Kouré, and then the guide will walk you over to the giraffes. During the rainy season, the giraffes are closer to the highway and you can save money by not hiring a car. “Closer” can still mean an hour or more walk to get to them.