View from Sahara to the Aïr Mountains

Aïr and Ténéré Natural Reserve is in Northern Niger. Made up of the eastern half of the Aïr Mountains and the western sections of the Ténéré desert, it's Africa's largest protected area and UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Understand

History

The park was founded in 1988 and listed by UNESCO in 1991, but it has been listed as a world heritage site in danger since 1992.

Landscape

Covering two different areas the landscape is varied. The desert includes living dunes. The mountains are remote and have had little human interaction.

Flora and fauna

An important part of the park is the addax sanctuary, where the critically endangered white antelope (Addax nasomaculatus) lives. It is also important for the survival of two other threatened antelopes: the Dorcus gazelle and Leptocere gazelle.

The park is also designated an Important Bird Area by Birdlife International. It is an important place for migratory birds. In all there have been 165 species of birds identified in the Reserve.

Get in

Agadez, about 100 km to the south, is the nearest major city.

Iferouane is a good base from which to explore the reserve.

Get around

Sleep

Stay safe

See warning on Niger page.