Did anyone notice his rationale for why people should brave the dangers? "Death can find you anywhere, even in Europe"
his competition is not Europe...
it is Namibia.
Namibia is just better than Niger... and the Kalahari a bit more pretty than the Sahara. The Kalahari offers a lot of contrasts in the views it provides. I don't think Niger could ever match that. Then you add the danger on top of it... and it's pretty much game over.