Niger

Niger is a land of the deep Sahara, a landlocked giant where dunes roll toward the horizon, camel caravans still cross ancient salt routes, and the culture of the Tuareg and other Sahel peoples runs proud and strong.

Its treasures are extraordinary: the Air Mountains and Tenere desert, a UNESCO-listed wilderness of volcanic peaks, oases and prehistoric rock art, and the fossil-rich sands that have yielded some of the world's great dinosaur finds.

This is one of Africa's most challenging and least-visited frontiers, a destination for the truly intrepid. Security conditions vary widely, so any visit demands careful, up-to-date research and expert local guidance.