National park · Niger
Air and Ténéré Natural ReserveRéserve Naturelle de l'Aïr et du Ténéré
Visit with a 4x4 and a guide from Agadez or Iferouane between November and February; the entry fee is about 10,000 CFA per person (check), and the best half-day walk is the climb to the peak of Mont Indoukat near Iferouane. The full reserve is 77,000 km² (29,730 sq mi) — you need a week and a guide to see the dunes, the addax sanctuary and the rock art.Visit with a 4x4 and a guide from Agadez or Iferouane between November and February; the entry fee is about 10,000 CFA per person (check), and the best half-day walk is the climb to the peak of Mont Indoukat near Iferouane. The full reserve is 29,730 sq mi (77,000 km²) — you need a week and a guide to see the dunes, the addax sanctuary and the rock art.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
More
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
77,360 km² (29,869 sq mi)29,869 sq mi (77,360 km²)
approximate
Established
1988
Best months
Nov–Feb
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 7Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Carry an original yellow fever vaccination certificate on…Check your own government travel advice for Niger before …
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- West Africa ↗Carry an original yellow fever vaccination certificate on any West African trip: several countries on the coast road demand it of every arrival, and the rest demand it after you have passed through a neighbour.
- West Africa ↗Cross land borders and drive between cities in daylight only; plan each crossing as a full travel day with cash for fees and passport copies for checkpoints.
- Niger ↗Check your own government travel advice for Niger before any booking; advice depends on your passport and changes without notice.
- Niger ↗Entry is controlled by the military authorities; land borders are restricted and no independent tourist route is documented here.
- Niger ↗Confirm that your travel insurance and medical evacuation cover apply to Niger before you rely on it.
At a glance
- Country
- Niger
- Area
- 77,360 km² (29,869 sq mi)29,869 sq mi (77,360 km²)
- Figures vary; the reserve covers about 77,360 km², making it the largest protected area in Africa (check).
- Established
- 1988
- Best months
- Nov–Feb
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Agadez
The Air and Ténéré Natural Reserve is Africa's largest protected area, covering the eastern Aïr Mountains and the western Ténéré desert. It was founded in 1988, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991, and has been on the List of World Heritage in Danger since 1992. The reserve protects the critically endangered addax antelope, the Dorcas gazelle and the Leptocere gazelle, and is an Important Bird Area with 165 recorded species. The landscape ranges from living sand dunes to remote volcanic peaks with prehistoric rock art. Most visitors base themselves in Iferouane, a village about 100 km north of Agadez, and explore the surrounding mountains and wadis.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 1991Listed as World Heritage in Danger since 1992.
Size and age
77,360 km² (29,869 sq mi)29,869 sq mi (77,360 km²) · national park since 1988
Figures vary; the reserve covers about 77,360 km², making it the largest protected area in Africa (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Agadez.
Why go
- Africa's largest protected area — a true wilderness of desert dunes and volcanic peaks.
- The addax sanctuary protects the last wild populations of the critically endangered white antelope.
- Prehistoric rock art sites in the Aïr Mountains, some dating back thousands of years.
- A remote, uncrowded alternative to the Sahara circuits in Algeria or Libya.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarGo
- AprCaution
- MayCaution
- JunAvoid
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepCaution
- OctGo
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanCool days, cold nights; clear skies
- FebStill cool; good for trekking
- MarWarming up; dust haze possible
- AprHot; sandstorms increase
- MayVery hot; avoid midday travel
- JunExtreme heat; travel not advised
- JulHottest; risk of heatstroke
- AugExtreme heat; occasional rain
- SepStill very hot; some rain
- OctCooling down; good visibility
- NovPleasant days, cold nights
- DecCool and dry; ideal for trekking
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Addax (white antelope) in the sanctuaryAll year · Critically endangered; sightings require a permit and are not guaranteed. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Dorcas gazelle and Leptocere gazelleAll year · Widespread but shy; best seen at dawn. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Migratory birds (165 species recorded)Oct–Mar · Important Bird Area; look for raptors and desert larks. | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Agadez
4x4 via the Iferouane track, about 100 km (62 mi) north; allow 2–3 hours.4x4 via the Iferouane track, about 62 mi (100 km) north; allow 2–3 hours.
2–3 h
Open the page →
From Niamey
Fly to Agadez (check schedules), then 4x4 to Iferouane.
1 day
From Iferouane
The village is the main base; park office and guides available.
0 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Iferouane area | Park office, guides, accommodation; access to Mont Indoukat and nearby rock art. | Open with guide. |
| Ténéré desert | Living sand dunes, vast empty plains, the Tree of Ténéré site (marker). | Guided 4x4 only. |
| Addax sanctuary | Protected area for the critically endangered addax antelope. | Restricted; permit and guide required. |
| Aïr Mountains interior | Volcanic peaks, deep wadis, prehistoric rock paintings. | Guided multi-day treks only. |
Sketch map
- 1Iferouane · Village≈18.950, 8.550Main base for the reserve; park office and guides.Map ↗
- 2Agadez · Town≈16.973, 7.991Nearest major city; 100 km (62 mi) south of the reserve.Nearest major city; 62 mi (100 km) south of the reserve.Map ↗
- 3Mont Indoukat · Viewpoint≈18.980, 8.520Popular half-day hike from Iferouane.Map ↗
- 4Tree of Ténéré site · Viewpoint≈17.750, 10.080Memorial marker for the famous acacia tree; deep in the Ténéré.Map ↗
- 5Addax sanctuary · Trail≈18.500, 9.500Restricted area; permit required.Map ↗
Take the points offline
5 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are approximate; the reserve is vast and many points are unmarked.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry fee (per person, per day) | XOF 10,000 | person | Check; may vary by nationality and season. |
| Guide fee (per day) | XOF 30,000–50,000 | group | Mandatory for all excursions; price depends on route. |
| Vehicle entry (per 4x4, per day) | XOF 15,000–25,000 | vehicle | Check. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Entry permit permit or guide
Guide permit or guide
Addax sanctuary access permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- XOF 10,000
- XOF 30,000–50,000
- XOF 15,000–25,000
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on UNESCO World Heritage Centre — Aïr and Ténéré Natural Reserves before you go.
Park rules
- Guides
- Mandatory for all excursions; independent travel is not permitted.
- Vehicles
- Only 4x4 vehicles allowed; standard cars cannot handle the terrain.
- Camping
- Allowed only with a guide and at designated sites; no open fires.
- Litter
- Carry out all waste; the reserve has no garbage collection.
- Drones
- Not allowed without prior permission from the park authorities (check).check
Where to stay
In the park
Iferouane village guesthouses
Basic rooms with shared facilities; book through the park office.
In the park
Camping with a guide
Tented camps in the desert or mountains; all gear provided by the tour operator.
Near the park
Agadez hotels
Several hotels in Agadez, about 100 km (62 mi) south; a good base before entering the reserve.Several hotels in Agadez, about 62 mi (100 km) south; a good base before entering the reserve.
Safety
Extreme heat and sun high
Getting lost high
Sandstorms medium
Security situation high
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- The reserve has no paved roads; all travel is by 4x4 on tracks or on foot.
- Not suitable for anyone with limited mobility; medical evacuation is extremely difficult.
Visiting lightly
- Hire local guides and use village guesthouses to support the local economy.
- Do not disturb wildlife, especially the addax; keep a safe distance.
- Carry out all waste; the desert ecosystem is fragile and slow to recover.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Air and Ténéré Natural Reserve?
The entry fee is about 10,000 CFA per person per day (check). You also need a guide (30,000–50,000 CFA per day) and a 4x4 vehicle (15,000–25,000 CFA per day). Prices may vary by nationality and season.
What are the best hikes in Air and Ténéré Natural Reserve?
The half-day climb to Mont Indoukat near Iferouane is the most accessible. For a longer trek, a multi-day expedition into the Aïr Mountains or the Ténéré dunes is recommended. All hikes require a guide.
When is the best time to visit Air and Ténéré Natural Reserve?
November to February is the best time, with cool days and cold nights. March and October are acceptable but hotter. From April to September, extreme heat makes travel dangerous.
Can I visit the reserve without a guide?
No. A guide is mandatory for all excursions. Independent travel is not permitted due to the risk of getting lost and the security situation.
Is it safe to travel to the Air and Ténéré Natural Reserve?
The security situation is high risk. Read your government travel advice, travel with a convoy if possible, and always use a local guide. The region has a history of banditry and terrorism.
What animals can I see in the reserve?
The reserve is home to the critically endangered addax antelope, Dorcas gazelle, Leptocere gazelle, and over 165 bird species. Sightings of addax require a special permit and are not guaranteed.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Air and Ténéré Natural Reserve
Loading…
Was this useful?