'''Maradi''' is a city in Niger.

Understand

Maradi as a region is one of the more economically prosperous in the country, and this is reflected in not only Maradi as a city, but also in it's infrastructure (that's right, sidewalks). The second largest city in Niger (to Niamey), it is also the most religiously conservative city in the country. With opportunities for decent lodging and a variety of dining places, Maradi is a pretty decent place to visit.

Get in

By plane

There is a small airport located on the outskirts of of the city, but is rarely used outside of private or governmental flights. At the airport is a restaurant and bar and serves typical Nigerien fare, such as brochettes, fries, and poultry.

By train

There is no access to train.

By car

Coming from Niamey by bush taxi one travels Nigerien route 1 and after 18-29 hours, BAM! Maradi in all of it's glory is at your feet.

If you have a private, air conditioned, fancy car you can make it in eight hours. Your driver might tell you funny stories, and keep you from having to bribe your way through every checkpoint.

By bus

All major bus lines in Niger have packages to Maradi (AIR Transport at 9300 fcfa; SNTV at 8500 fcfa ? ? ?; EHGM at 9200 fcfa; Rimbo Transport at 9300 fcfa; Africa Express at ~9000 fcfa; and FAT at ~9000 fcfa). The most effective means of transportation for the budget traveler.

By boat

Get around

In either taxis (200 fcfa per ride) or motorcycle taxis (called Kabo-kabos) at 100-150fcfa depending on distance.

Taxis near the autogare go out to Tibiri-Gobir for about 250f cfa. Tibiri is the home of the Gobirawa Sarkee, or King, and the site of one of two annual rain-predicting ceremonies. Tibiri lies about 6km west of Maradi, and also has one of the largest mosques and Doctors Without Borders feeding centers in the area.

See

The market on either Friday or Monday, and also the local artisenal center. In the market you can find a number of men selling traditional medicine made from hedgehog quills and elephant bones.

For the adventurous or even masochistic, the autogare, where you can find a bushtaxi and experience the closest thing to Hell on Earth. Of course, it's the only way to get to some of the nearby bush towns to experience Niger as it ought to be - without cars.

Do

Walk around and sample street food from vendors that line the sides of most all streets. Also walk down the old main street that showcases old colonial homes that lined the now non-existent river.

Learn

Hausa.

Work

Buy

Traditional Tuareg jewelry at the artisanal center: decently priced silverworking. Also, the region of Maradi is known to produce the finest quality wooden mortar and pestles in the country (used by all of the population in preparation of traditional Nigerien dishes). Purchase one and then experience the taxing, hard work-filled life of every Nigerien woman.

Eat

Several restaurants are located in Maradi:
  • '''The Guesthouse''', (+227) 20 410 754 - a part of Maradi's nicest hotel, also one of it's pricier restaurants but with a diverse menu with good food and fast service. Hands down best eats in Maradi
  • '''Le Jardin''' - an outdoor restaurant and bar that serves brochettes, poultry, fries, and other various dishes at a reasonable price. A small TV broadcasts local programs and soccer games at an alarming level of volume for an outdoor establishment.
  • '''Le Club Prive''' - really a pool that serves food, is fairly expensive and waiting times vary depending on how many expats or NGO workers are there, but they do have the best cheeseburger in all of Niger.
  • '''L'Auberge''' - an outdoor restaurant connected to a hotel that has the typical Nigerian fare, but with a terrible service record and long waiting periods for food.
  • Budget

    Mid-range

    Splurge

    Good luck finding anything to splurge on.

    Drink

    Maradi is a dry town. STOP! Before you skip this page for Zinder, restaurants still serve beer and occasionally hard liquors. The bars are located in all of the restaurants, Maradi does not boast stand-alone bars and during a trend of very conservative Muslim rule in the 90's, every bar in the town was burned to the ground. Most bars will turn a blind eye to travelers who are obviously not from there (called "Anasaras"), but this also means that any women that speak to you in the bar are hookers.

    Sleep

  • '''The Guesthouse''', (+227) 20 410 754 - most expensive and also nicest hotel in Maradi.
  • '''Hotel Jangorzo''', (+227) 20 410 140 - also pricy, but also nice.
  • Contact

    Stay safe

    Be smart. Niger is one of the safest countries in the world, but anyone acting in a stupid manner can be taken advantage of or accosted in any country. Use your common sense and you should be ok.

    Cope

    By finding the nearest bar.

    Get out

    Hey! You have spent the past 4 days in Maradi! Congratulations! Any major busline or car can take you back to Niamey or you can continue to Zinder or go north to Dakoro if you really want to experience Nigerien bush life and many of the different indigenous groups (Hausa, Fulan, Tuareg).