Nigeria – The Nation of Extremes

The territory of Nigeria is challenging in its accessibility to the first time visitors but worth facing, as it is far exciting and cheerful. Ignoring all the scaring rumors, we took up a fearless trip that proves quite memorable to us – all thanks to welcoming and friendly people of the nation. The most famous locations include Lagos, one of the liveliest cities in Africa and port city Calabar as a halting spot towards Cameroon. Besides these, there are a lot of wondering monuments, historical places, and natural elements worth a visit

Nigeria Tourist Destinations

• Lagos:
  Attractions here are resorts at Bar Beach and Victoria Island, Lekki Conservation Centre, National Museum showing relics of Benin Bronzes and the replica of the Festac ’77 symbol, Didi Museum, National Theater at Iganmu, Jankara Market, Eyo Masquerade famous for ceremonial occasions, and Murtala Muhammed Memorial Botanical Garden
• Azumini Blue River Rose:
  Situated in Abia State, this is a pleasant river and a famous resort offering translucent azure water, canoe rides, sandy beaches with chairs and tables. The main attraction at the beach is the BBQ grill for picnickers.
• The Long JuJu Shrine of Arochukwu:
  Arochukwu is a popular tourist location due to its cave holding the long juju oracle. Having a religious significance and headed by a Chief Priest, the cave has a long metal pipe that is believed to be the place where the gods communicate with the people.
• Ibeno Beach:
  This is a fine beach in the Akwa lbom State neighboring the Abia state. It is a good site for water sports that can take one to the welcoming James town on the Atlantic. Ogbunike Cave: Located in the Anambra state, the cave consists of many sections each having its own story best told by the local guide.
• Rojenny Tourist Village:
  Located in the Anambra State in the outskirts of the Onitsha market town, we explored the amusement park with thrilling joy rides.
• lgbo-Ukwu:
  This is an ancient town famous for its bronze artifacts. Certain bronzes belong to the 9th century are precious due to its historic significance.
• Yankari National Park:
  This is the highly preserved wildlife park where we spotted variety of animals including baboons, waterbucks, elephants, crocodiles, bushbucks, duikers, warthogs, and hippopotamus. For this, the good time is between November and May months of the dry season when the animals join the Gaji River. Another famous attraction here is the Wikki warm springs. The park is in the southeastern area of Bauchi in the northeastern part of Nigeria.
• Lake Chad:
  Tactically located in the Borno State of Nigeria, this lake is famous for its boating ride that takes you to the tour of many worth visiting settlements around.
• Obudu Cattle Ranch:
  Situated in Cross River Slate near the Nigeria-Cameroon border in southeast, this ranch is full of green vegetation and grazing of cattle throughout the year. One can try out its different attractions – a natural swimming pool, horse riding, beautiful waterfalls, gorilla camp, bird watching, and sporting facilities.
• Agbokim Waterfalls:
  Situated near to the Nigeria-Cameroon border, this is a mesmerizing scene of waterfalls in the Cross River State. This is a picnic spot offering pleasant and lush vegetation.
• Silicon Hill:
  Almost half a km wide and 300 m high, this is the hill that contains silica used to made glasses. Besides this, the surrounding environment with alluring hills and valleys offer breathtaking sceneries. This hill is close to the Nkpologu campus of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT).
• Mbari Cultural Centre:
  This is an open-air museum holding the sculptural houses in Mbari exhibiting vigorous arts of the social life and a monument dedicated to “ALA” the earth goodness. We spotted many objects – the terrorizing beast, the plastic forms of the deities such as the Amadioha (Thunder god), the Ogwugwu (Forest god), and the deities’ spiritual messengers – snakes, monkeys, rams, tortoise, and owl. The Mbari Cultural Centre is in Ikenegbu layout in Owerri, the capital of Imo state and at Eke-Nguru in Aboh Mbaise.
• Oguta Lake Holiday Complex:
  Located in the Oguta local government Area of Imo State, the fresh water lake is the second largest natural lake after Chad. Discover its golf course with 18 standard holes, relic of war – a mini bunker, cruise boat, the meeting of the Oguta Lake and Urashi River, Golf Club Bar House/Oguta Lake Motel for refreshment and lodging, and children recreation park.
• Birnin Kudu Rock Painting:
  The town of Birnin Kudu is in the South of Jigawa State where ancient paintings on the rocks depicting the lifestyle of the early settlements here.
• Bible She, Araya:
  According to a legend, a copy of the Holy Bible came from the heaven here miraculously in this Delta State of Araya somewhere in August, 1914. Since then, this is the sacred spot of pilgrimage during the Easter.
• Abraka River Resort:
  Lying in the University Town of Abraka, this Motel offers swimming, boating, relaxing on warm sunny beach along with other facilities such as lawn tennis, squash rackets, and badminton courts with a children’s playground.
• Ezeagu Tourist Complex:
  This is an attractive sight located at 30 minutes drive from the capital city of Enugu State. This is delightful tourist destination offering a lake, a cave, and a waterfall (spring water). The 5 km long, Obinofia cave is not worth missing whose steepness and compartments are wonderful that are accessed through the tunnels.

Best Time to Visit

If you want to visit the south, March to August are the wet months wherein a tour should not be undertaken. Late spring season to summer makes the country very hot until

October after which some coolness is felt until January.

Accommodations

• Owerri municipal, Imo
• Applewood Suites – Victoria Island, Lagos – The classy choice
• B-Jays Hotel – Victoria Island, Lagos
• Bogobiri House – Ikoyi, Lagos
• Cottage-2 Guest House  – Opebi, Lagos