Major city · Niger
KoureKouré
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.
advisory country
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- XOF
- Best months
- Nov–Feb (dry, cooler)
- avoid Apr–May (hottest, dust)
- Airport
- NIM
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
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.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Koure17 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Koure, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Cash in CFA francs or euros carries most payments: see Insurance & payments above.Niger-wide
- SafetyKoure is safe for tourists during daylight hours.
- Emergency numbers17 police · 18 fire · 15 SAMU (ambulance) (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportNIM Diori Hamani International Airport (In Niamey, 65 km (40 mi) away; arrange a car or bush taxi from there).NIM Diori Hamani International Airport (In Niamey, 40 mi (65 km) away; arrange a car or bush taxi from there).
- Getting aroundOn foot with a guide.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Bush taxi Niamey–Koure (one way)check2,000–3,000F
- Museum or sight ticketPark entry (foreign tourist)check4,000F
- Budget bedBasic guesthouse in Koure, a night, per roomXOF 10,000
- Mid-range bedBasic guesthouse in Koure, a night, per roomXOF 15,000
- High-end bedBasic guesthouse in Koure, a night, per roomXOF 20,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget XOF 25,000 · Mid XOF 35,000 · High XOF 50,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- NIM Diori Hamani International Airport (In Niamey, 65 km (40 mi) away; arrange a car or bush taxi from there)NIM Diori Hamani International Airport (In Niamey, 40 mi (65 km) away; arrange a car or bush taxi from there)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Feb
Best
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
Mar
not flagged
39°C (102°F)102°F (39°C)
Apr
Avoid
41°C (106°F)106°F (41°C)
May
Avoid
40°C (104°F)104°F (40°C)
Jun
not flagged
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
Jul
not flagged
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Aug
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
not flagged
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Oct
not flagged
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
Nov
Best
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
Dec
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Best: Nov–Feb. Avoid: Apr–May. Month by month →
Warmest Apr (41°C (106°F)106°F (41°C)), coolest Jan (16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C) low), wettest Aug (14 rain days), driest Jan (0). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Koure: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
0 rd
Feb
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
0 rd
Mar
39°C (102°F)102°F (39°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
1 rd
Apr
41°C (106°F)106°F (41°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
2 rd
May
40°C (104°F)104°F (40°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
5 rd
Jun
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
8 rd
Jul
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
14 rd
Sep
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
9 rd
Oct
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
2 rd
Nov
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
0 rd
Dec
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
0 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting 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 & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Niamey
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Bush taxi or hired car, about 1 h
Most visitors base in Niamey and day-trip here.
Baleyara
cautionDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Bush taxi via the main road, about 1 h
Famous for its Thursday livestock market; combine with a giraffe visit if you have a full day.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Koure village
Basic guesthouses; book ahead or ask at the park headquarters. Most visitors sleep in Niamey.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Day trip from Niamey
- 25,000–50,000F (car + guide + fees)
Trip budget
| Basic guesthouse in Koure1 × 1 night × XOF 15,000 | XOF 15,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × XOF 35,000 | XOF 70,000 |
| Hired car + driver from Niamey (round trip)1 × XOF 30,000 · Split among travellers; price varies by season and negotiation. | XOF 30,000 |
| Park entry fee (foreign tourist)2 × XOF 4,000 · check | XOF 8,000 |
| Guide Association fee per car1 × XOF 5,000 · check | XOF 5,000 |
| Guide tip (expected)2 × XOF 2,000 · check | XOF 4,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | XOF 13,200 |
| Trip total≈ XOF 72,600 per person per day, bed included | XOF 145,200 |
Very limited; check availability in advance.
2026 estimate in CFA francs; all costs for a day trip from Niamey.
Prices of common things
| Bush taxi Niamey–Koure (one way)check | 2,000–3,000F |
| Hired car + driver from Niamey (round trip)Depends on season and negotiation | 20,000–45,000F |
| Park entry (foreign tourist)check | 4,000F |
| Guide Association fee per carcheck | 5,000F |
| Guide tip (expected)Cash, small bills | 2,000–5,000F |
| Simple meal in Kourecheck | 1,500–3,000F |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- 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.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 17
- Fire
- 18
- SAMU (ambulance)
- 15
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
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KoureKouré
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Zuwa Koure, don AllahTo Koure, please
Emergency
- Police17
- Fire18
- SAMU (ambulance)15
Embassy
Most embassies are in Niamey. Check your government's travel advice before going.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- 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)
Say or show
- Sannu — Hello (san-nu)
- Na gode — Thank you (na go-de)
- Nawa? — How much? (na-wa)
- Ina rakuman dawa? — Where are the giraffes? (ee-na ra-ku-man da-wa)
- Ee / A'a — Yes / No (eh / ah-ah)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Koure. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–Feb (dry, cooler) · avoid Apr–May (hottest, dust)
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 1 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Koure
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