Ayorou is a small Niger River town near the Mali border, north-west of Niamey and Tillaberi. It is not polished, and it is not a place to come for conventional sightseeing. The reason to come is the river: broad, slow, and alive with pirogues, island villages, market boats, and the chance of seeing hippos in the shallows.
The town is best on Sunday, when Ayorou's market draws traders from both banks of the river and from the surrounding Sahel. Fulani herders, Songhai farmers, fishermen, and river-island families all come in, and the scene feels much bigger than the town itself. Arrive early, walk slowly, and ask before photographing people.
Ayorou works as a long day trip from Niamey or as a rough overnight stop on the river road. Security in the wider Tillaberi region can change quickly, so check current advice before setting out and arrange transport through people who know the road.