Information about farmers’ perceptions of climate change and their adaptation strategies is needed for developing regional climate change adaptation plans for rural areas. This study was conducted in rural communities in the semi-arid Fakara region of Niger. The objectives were to identify the major effects of climate change and their impacts on the rural communities, adaptation strategies of the rural communities, and difficulties in using natural signs to predict the onset of the rainy season. Data were collected using participatory research tools. Farmers stated that the climate is becoming hotter and drier, and with more variability in rainfall. The major effects of climate change were drought, strong winds and floods. The major impacts were higher mortality of crop plants, insufficient pasture plants, increased parasites, eroded and crusted soils, destruction of habitat, and loss of livestock.