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Niamey Info

Niamey, the capital of Niger, is a lively fairly modern city of around 800,000 on the banks of the Niger River in the Tillaberi region in the far southwest of the country. It is the administrative, cultural and economic center of the country and hence generally offers good facilities for travelers, both budget and upmarket. Niamey offers unique open-air markets that are great for people watching—they’re patronized by members of the Tuareg Sonuri and Fulani tribes, as well as wrestling, one of the finest museums in Africa and the massive Grand Mosque.

Climate

Niamey has a hot and generally dry desert climate with a short rainy season from June to September when there can be severe thunderstorms with occasional flooding. Rains can be unpredictable though and sometimes the rainy season means just a few showers now and then.
As with much of West Africa, poor infrastructure leads to frequent flooding and miserable roads during the wet season, so it is best to avoid travel to Niamey from June-September (especially if traveling to nearby countries which receive even more rain).
Average annual rainfall is around 550 mm. The coolest and driest (and arguably best) weather of the year is between December and January with averages of 34/15 (93/57F) and no rainfall. In October, November and February the weather is hotter and still dry with 38C (100F) in the afternoon and 18-23C (64-73F) at night. March to May are the hottest months of the year topping out at 42C (108F) in the afternoon (although 45C/114F temps aren't uncommon) and a warm 25C (77F) at night; all three months can see just a few showers.

Orientation

The Niger river near the Kennedy bridgeThe city is divided by the Niger River, which is spanned only by the Kennedy Bridge. The southern side is entirely residential, with the exception of the university by the river (Gamkalle area), and of no interest to tourists. The northern side spreads out in all directions from the bridge. The limits of the "downtown" area seem to be Blv. de l'Independence and (further from the river) Blv. Mali Bero. Radiating from the "Place des Martyrs" at the end of the bridge:
 ▪  Going left (northwest, Avenue Francois Mitterrand), you will head past the Hotel Gaweye and Palais du Congres towards the areas known as Plateau/Issa Beri/Chateau 1 (Un) which are where the majority of governmental buildings, embassies (most along Rue des Ambassades), and upscale housing can be found. If you turn right at Place des Nations Unis, head straight through Place de la Republique, and recah Blv. de l"Independance, you will see the stadium to the right (opposite Place des Forces Democratiques).
 ▪  Going straight (northeast, Rue de Gaweye/Commerce/Kalley), you will head past the Assemble Nationale (by Place de la Concorde) towards the Grand Marche. If you head around the GM, you will pass through the areas of Abidjan where the Grande Mosquee (at Place de la Grade Priere), Police, & Centre Culturel Oumarou Ganda are locaed. After Boulevard Mali Bero, you enter the "Dan Gao" area.
 ▪  To the East (follow Rue du 1er Pont, Rue du Grand Hotel, Ave. de l'Amitie) you will find the Nouveau Marche area, then heading NE along Ave. de L'oua/l'Entente you will pass through Sabon Gari & Poudriere areas (the Wadata handicrafts center is at Blv. Mali Bero). If you continue straight along Ave. de l'Amitie through the Place de la Bienvenue, you will pass the race course and the road becomes Rue de l'Aeroporte and leads past the airport and towards Koure (giraffes, see "Get out").
 ▪  Going right (southeast, Rue de 1er Pont then Corniche Gamkalley), you will pass the Grand Hotel and enter the Terminus and the Gamkalle Sebangaye areas.
There are few traffic lights. There are numerous roundabouts where traffic from several directions merge; these are known as "Place _____" and are chaotic during rush hour but calm most other times of the day. A few notable roundabouts are: "Place des Martyrs", "Place de la Concorde", "Place de la Republique", & "Place Mandela".
Road names change frequently. Names generally stick with a road for only a few blocks. A straight road a 3-4 kilometers long might have 5 or 6 sections known by different names. For example, the road which passes over the Kennedy Bridge is known as "Blvd de l'Universite" on the south side, "Pont President Kennedy" over the bridge, "Rue de Gaweye" after Place des Martyrs, "Rue du Commerce" for a couple blocks, then "Rue de Kalley" until it ends at the Grand Marche. And it's length through all those name changes? Barely 2km!