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Despite the dangers, tourists go to Koure to see the only giraffes left in West Africa
Gunmen in Niger have attacked a party of tourists in the wild and killed six French citizens, their local guide and driver.
The gunmen were riding on motorcycles and open fire, the governor of the Tillabéri region, Tidjani Ibrahim, told the French news agency AFP.
They were in the Koure region which attracts tourists who want to see the latest flocks of giraffes in West Africa.
It is not yet clear who is behind the attack.
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The French government warns people against traveling to large parts of the former French colony outside the capital Niamey.
Military groups including Boko Haram are operating in the area and violence by groups linked to al-Qaida and Islamic State is on the rise in the Sahel region.
Despite this, tourists still try to see the giraffes of Niger, a sub-species distinguished by the lighter color that settled in the area 20 years ago and is largely protected from poachers.
