I can recomend the MAX713. it can charge 1 - 16 NiCd or NiMh cells in series with minmal external components. It even has a switchmode option so it can run on a lower voltage than your string of cells. Its very efficient. It detects end of charge by tempreture and/or the slight drop in voltage.
If you cant buy locally then Maxim will send you two as samples. get some MAX232 at the same time, they're really useful. thank god for free samples. You dont even have to pay postage! I think they send to almost any country. dont try to register with a hotmail or yahoo address, ISP mail or company mail only.
I dont work for them, I just love free samples!

I'll post my project when I get it written up.