nature reserve in Niger
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.
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.
Covering two different areas the landscape is varied. The desert includes living dunes. The mountains are remote and have had little human interaction.
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.
Agadez, about 100 km to the south, is the nearest major city.
Iferouane is a good base from which to explore the reserve.
See warning on Niger page.