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Voykit pocket guide · Niger
Koure
Kouré
Half a day is enough: see the last wild giraffes in West Africa, then head back to Niamey or onward. One night only if you want a slow morning with the herd.
Koure is a one-sight town — the last surviving herd of West African giraffes lives in the bush around it. From Niamey it's a 65 km drive, easy as a morning or afternoon trip. The giraffes are wild and free-roaming; a guide walks you to them. Rainy season (June–September) brings them closer to the road, saving you a long walk. Dry season means a longer hike but clearer skies.
- Country
- Niger
- Local name
- Kouré
- Best months
- Nov–Feb (dry, cooler)
- Avoid
- Apr–May (hottest, dust)
- Stay
- 0 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- XOF
- Money
- Cash in CFA francs or euros carries most payments: see Insurance & payments above.
- Daily spend
- Day trip from Niamey 25,000–50,000F (car + guide + fees) (estimate; check)
- Emergency
- Police 17 · Fire 18 · SAMU (ambulance) 15
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Bush taxi Niamey–Koure (one way) | 2,000–3,000F |
| Hired car + driver from Niamey (round trip) | 20,000–45,000F |
| Park entry (foreign tourist) | 4,000F |
| Guide Association fee per car | 5,000F |
| Guide tip (expected) | 2,000–5,000F |
| Simple meal in Koure | 1,500–3,000F |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- NIM · Diori Hamani International Airport
- In Niamey, 65 km (40 mi) away; arrange a car or bush taxi from thereIn Niamey, 40 mi (65 km) away; arrange a car or bush taxi from there
Typical fares
- Bush taxi Niamey–Koure
- about 2,000–3,000F one way (check)
- Hired car Niamey–Koure round trip
- 20,000–45,000F depending on season
- Park entry (foreign tourist)
- 4,000F per person (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
On foot with a guide. The giraffes roam a large area; you walk from the park headquarters, sometimes 30 min to over an hour depending on the season.
See and do
Known for
- Last wild West African giraffe herd
- Guided walks to see giraffes up close
- Easy day trip from Niamey
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Niamey | Bush taxi or hired car, about 1 h | About 1 h |
| Baleyara | Bush taxi via the main road, about 1 h | About 1.5 h |
Sleep
- Koure village
- Basic guesthouses; book ahead or ask at the park headquarters. Most visitors sleep in Niamey.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello | Sannusan-nu |
| Thank you | Na godena go-de |
| How much? | Nawa?na-wa |
| Where are the giraffes? | Ina rakuman dawa?ee-na ra-ku-man da-wa |
| Yes / No | Ee / A'aeh / ah-ah |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Scams and watch-outs
- Bring your passport or ID — there is a police checkpoint on the road from Niamey.
- The walk to the giraffes can be 1+ hour in dry season; wear sturdy shoes, bring water and sun protection.
- Guide tip is expected at the end (cash, small bills).
- No ATM in Koure; bring enough CFA from Niamey.
Koure is safe for tourists during daylight hours. The main risks are heat, dehydration and the long walk. The checkpoint is routine; keep your ID ready. Avoid travel after dark on the Niamey–Koure road.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Koure yet. Suggested stay: 0 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Last wild West African giraffe herd
- Guided walks to see giraffes up close
- Easy day trip from Niamey
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Koure, revision 4535516 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=4535516
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/koure). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.