Make two photocopies of valuable documents such as your passport, tickets, visas and travellers' che

We strongly advise you not to travel outside of the capital, Niamey, because of the very high threat of kidnapping, the unpredictable political and security situation, the risk of armed banditry and clashes between Niger s security forces and armed groups. We advise you to reconsider your need to travel to Niamey due to high risk of crime and threat of kidnapping.
If you are in Niger, you should consider leaving. Australians who decide mexico maps travel to remain in Niger should ensure that they have personal security measures in place. You should monitor local information sources for details about the safety and security environment.
There is an ongoing high threat of kidnapping against Westerners in the north and west regions of Africa, including in Niger, particularly in the north of the country. If you do decide to travel outside Niamey, you should travel in daylight, in convoy and with a local guide. Foreigners have been kidnapped from their vehicles in the past. Hostages have been killed. On 8 January 2011, two French nationals were kidnapped in Niamey and were later killed near the border with Mali.
The political and security mexico maps travel situation in Niger has improved following peaceful elections in 2011 and the inauguration of the President. . However, demonstrations can occur with little warning you should avoid protests and demonstrations throughout mexico maps travel Niger as they may become violent..
Australia does not have an Embassy or Consulate in Niger. The Canadian Embassy Office Niamey provides assistance to Australians in Niger. mexico maps travel The closest mexico maps travel Canadian Embassy is located in Cote d Ivoire. The Australian High Commission in Nigeria can also assist Australians.
Visa and other entry and exit conditions (such as currency, mexico maps travel customs and quarantine regulations) change regularly. Contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Niger for the most up to date information.
Niger is listed by the World Health Organization (WHO) as endemic for yellow fever. Some airlines may require passengers to present a valid Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate before being allowed to board flights out of the country. If in doubt, check with your airline.
mexico maps travel If you have visited Niger in the last six days prior to your date of return to Australia, Australian Customs officials will ask you to present a valid Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate on entry into Australia.
Make sure your passport has at least six months' validity from your planned date of return to Australia. You should carry copies of a recent passport photo with you in case you need a replacement passport while overseas.
We strongly advise you not to travel to Niger outside the capital Niamey, particularly to the northern areas of the country, because of very high threat of kidnapping, mexico maps travel the unpredictable political and security situation, the risk of armed banditry and clashes between Niger s security forces and armed groups. If you are in Niger, you should consider leaving. mexico maps travel Australians who decide mexico maps travel to remain in Niger should take responsibility for their safety and security and ensure they have personal security measures and contingency plans in place. You should monitor local information sources for details about the safety and security environment.
Extremist groups, including Al Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), are active in Niger and neighbouring countries including Algeria, Libya, mexico maps travel Mali, Mauritania mexico maps travel and Chad, and have been known to execute kidnapped foreigners.
Kidnapping: There is an ongoing high threat of kidnapping against Westerners in the north and west regions of Africa, including Niger, particularly in the north of the country. Due to the risk posed by AQIM and other extremist and criminal groups all travel should be particularly avoided to the regions of Tillaberi, Tahoua, the border regions with Mali and near the border with Burkina Faso. If you do decide to travel to the north of Niamey, you should travel in daylight, in convoy and with a local guide. Foreigners have been kidnapped from their vehicles. In Niger, foreign workers, tourists and expatriates have been targeted. Hostages have been killed.
Cultural festivals held in north and west Africa are attractive places for terrorists and criminals to identify and target mexico maps travel tourists for kidnapping. These festivals bring people to predictable locations along unsecured routes. Foreigners travelling to and from major cultural festivals were kidnapped in northern Mali in 2009. One hostage was executed. We strongly advise Australians not to attend major festivals.
The Australian Government's longstanding policy is that it does not make payments or concessions to kidnappers. The Australian Government considers that paying a ransom increases the risk of further kidnappings, including of other Australians. If you do decide to travel to an area where there is a particular threat of kidnapping, you should ensure you have personal security measures in place, seek professional security advice and take out kidnapping insurance.
The political and security situation in Niger has improved following peaceful elections in 2011 and the inauguration of the President. However, demonstrations can occur with little warning. You should avoid political rallies and demonstrations as they could turn violent.
Clashes between security forces and armed groups can occur in the departments of Agadez, Diffa, Zinder,and Maradi, and north of the city of Abalack in the department of Tahoua. Armed groups operate in the north and west.
There is a high risk crime throughout Niger, including in Niamey. Foreigners are frequently targeted by criminals. Armed home invasions, kidnapping, carjackings and muggings occur. Four-wheel-drive mexico maps travel vehicles are a particular target for thieves. When travelling by road, you should mexico maps travel keep the doors locked, the windows up and valuables out of sight.
Petty crime is high in the capital city, Niamey, and muggings are common around mexico maps travel the Gaweye Hotel, the National Museum, Kennedy Bridge and Petit Marche. Criminal activity throughout Niger can occur at any time but the risk of being a victim increases mexico maps travel at night. mexico maps travel Because mexico maps travel of the absence of street lighting it is recommended you do not walk about at night.
Armed banditry also occurs mexico maps travel in the northern and eastern regions including the departments of Agadez, Diffa, Zinder and Maradi, and north of the city of Abalack in the department of Tahoua. If you do decide mexico maps travel to travel outside Niamey, mexico maps travel you should take particular care on roads between major cities such as Agadez, Arlit and Tahoua, and on the Agadez-Timia road. Several roads in the north are closed to tourists except with special authorisation. If travelling from Niger to Mali via Burkina mexico maps travel Faso, travellers are advised mexico maps travel to avoid the Ayorou Gao Road as banditry is a problem. It is also a problem on the road between the Burkina Faso border and the town of Torodi in the Department of Niamey.
Fraud : Commercial and internet fraud is prevalent and often originates in West African mexico maps travel countries. Victims have been defrauded and those who travel to the originating country have had their lives endangered. Some victims have been killed. Criminals have been known to seek details of 'safe' bank accounts overseas in which to transfer large sums of money (as a donation or for a percentage of the amount involved). They may also provide fake cashier cheques for 'urgent' shipments of large quantities of goods, request sizeable fees for a fake government contract and extort money from individuals they have convinced to travel to Africa for a business opportunity. If you are a victim of a financial scam, we advise you to obtain legal advice and not to travel to Africa to seek restitution as there is a risk of physical assault mexico maps travel from the perpetrators. Our travel bulletin on International Financial Scams provides more detail on these types of scams.
Some Australian citizens have also been defrauded or had their lives endangered by bogus internet friendship, dating and marriage schemes operating from West African countries. These scams typically result from connections made through internet dating schemes or chat rooms. Once a virtual relationship develops, the Australian citizen is asked by their friend or prospective mexico maps travel marriage partner to send money to enable travel to Australia. Once the money has been received, the relationship is usually terminated and any chance of recovering the funds is highly unlikely. In some instances, foreigners who have travelled to Africa to meet their friend or prospective marriage partner mexico maps travel have been kidnapped and held to ransom.
Before you go, organise a variety of ways to access your money overseas, such as credit mexico maps travel cards, travellers' cheques, cash, debit cards or cash cards. Niger is a cash-based society. There are no ATMs and credit cards are rarely accepted. Travellers' cheques can be cashed at banks on production of the original purchase receipt and passport.
Make two photocopies of valuable documents such as your passport, tickets, visas and travellers' cheques. Keep one copy with you in a separate place to the original and leave another copy with someone at home.
Your passport is a valuable document that is attractive to criminals who may try to use your identity to commit crimes. It should always be kept in a safe place. You are required by Australian law to report a lost or stolen passport. If your passport is lost or stolen overseas, report it online or contact the nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate as soon as possible.
We advise against all travel outside Niamey. If despite our advice you choose to travel outside Niamey, all road travel should be in daylight, in a convoy and with a local guide. Travelling at night is especially dangerous due to the risk of banditry. Local authorities are sensitive to foreigners travelling out of Tahoua to the east or north of Niger. If you must travel outside mexico maps travel of Niamey, we recommend you use an approved local travel agent who can arrange for all necessary permits and approvals.
Unexploded munitions, including landmines,