Let’s Explore Air And Tenere Natural Reserves

The Air and Tenere natural reserves are declared be the largest guarded enclosure of Africa that is spreaded over the land of about 77,000 square kilometres (doubled the size of Switzerland) an it covers the wide swathe of desert and semi-desert adjacent to the edge of Sahara desert in Niger ,the western part of Africa. It features a spectacular and picturesque landscape that tempts a number of national and international tourists who just love to grab flights to Niger to be dazzled and astonished by such a unique and enchanting area.

The whole region consists of a volcanic rocky mass of flora and fauna of Tenere, Air Mountains and Sahelian islet which is very well known for a unique climate. It was declared as the World Heritage Site by UNESCO 1991 and after that it earned much fame as notable tourists’ site of the world. Much of the area is located in the western side of Tenere du Tafassasset desert and remaining lies in the north-eastern side of the Air Mountains. Moving towards the northern part, from the heart of the reserve near the foothills of Tenere, you will find the Sanctuaire des Addax which blankets the wide area of this complete land.

This elephantine and herculean stony mass is extremely eroded and historical plateau-effected by high pressure and temperature and is speckled with an array of smooth-topped mountains that are stretched from northern to southern parts. it includes the Agueraguer ,Goundai, Taghmert, Chirriet, Tamgak, Fadei, Greboun and Adrar Bous,-the granite encroachments apart from the gigantic massif of Takaloukouzet. Besides, the astonishing and extinct crater of Arakao that is known to be the largest intrusive-igneous bodies of the world is also located here. The reserves also features many other stunning allurements like the white-marble cliffs nestled in the lower part of Zagado Valley and also the crystalline-metamorphic and awe inspiring Blue Mountains of Izouzaoene that are located adjacent to the sanctuary.

The area also shelters a wide variety of fauna. More than 40 distinctive species of mammals, 1 amphibian, approximately 18 reptiles and almost 165 birds have been spotted here. This area is the only one in the whole world that contains no fish variety, apart from Antarctica. It also houses the Sahelian and Saharan species and thousands of them can be sighted near Takaloukouzet and Tamgak massifs occupying large enclosures of water reserves. The Air harbor comprises approximately 3,500 Barbary sheep, 170 dama gazelle and 12,000 dorcas gazelle. More than 70 percent population of the Niger dwells here and dorcas gazelle have also increased their number manifolds. Also around 20 Cheetahs, Feral Donkeys and a little number of Stripped Hyenas are recorded here. Some mammals like Olive Baboons and Patas monkeys can also be seen in the nearby locations.

These reserves are very significant and wonderful with history dating back to more than 30,000 years providing this place a great Neolithic and Palaeolithic importance and the mortars ,grindstones, axe-heads and arrow-heads, further adds to the attraction of Air and Tenere. So just don’t miss the chance of visiting such an adorable region, once you are having your holiday break.