Traveling in Nigeria

Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a country in West Africa. It is situated between the Sahel to the north and the Gulf of Guinea to the south in the Atlantic Ocean. Abuja is the capital of Nigeria and is located in the middle of the country. The city skyline is dominated by Aso Rock, an enormous monolith that rises up behind the Presidential Complex.

Aso Rock is a huge outcrop lying on the outskirts of Abuja. This 400-meter monolith is the city’s most noticeable feature.

The Presidential Complex houses the residence and offices of the Nigerian president in the Three Arms Zone on the eastern edge of the city.

Nearby are the National Assembly and the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

The National Church of Nigeria is the primary Christian place of worship. Nigeria has a substantial Christian population.

National Mosque Abuja was built in the 1980s and is located across from the National Christian Center. The golden dome of the mosque is huge and shiny. It houses a library, a religious school and a conference hall. Its golden dome and minarets dominate the city’s skyline.

The largest public park in Abuja is Millennium Park in the Maitama District of the city. The park is divided in two by a river. On one side of the park a system of terraces that show Nigeria’s mountain vegetation, savanna, deciduous forest, rain forest and brushwood. There are greenhouses with butterflies and tropical birds.

The other side corresponding to the main entrance from the road is dedicated to the scientific knowledge of the natural environment. Here you’ll see a traditional Italian style garden layout. For walking there is a rectilinear path paved with Roman white travertine. Along the path is a series of fountains. This park has become one of the main attractions of the city.

The National Children’s Park and Zoo is located in Asokoro District behind the Presidential Villa. It lies in the shadow of Aso Rock. This is the place for animal lovers with lots of wildlife including camels, crocodiles, elephants, giraffes, monkeys, ostriches, tortoises, wild cats and zebras. Domestic animals are also part of this zoo. There are playgrounds and other activities for kids. For refreshments there is The Lake Cafe.

Abuja Arts and Craft Village can be found in the heart of the city. It is flanked on either side by magnificent buildings:

Shehu Musa Yar’adua Center on the right.

Silverbird Entertainment Center on the left.

The village offers visitors the opportunity to see and buy Nigerian arts and crafts. The shops are thatch-roofed huts with walls made from red clay. Here you can see and purchase sculpted warrior and horse statuettes, beaded necklaces and bracelets, African traditional masks and much more.

National Arboretum Abuja was established for conservation of genetic resources for research, educational, medicinal and other scientific purposes. Comfortable concrete seats offer visitors a chance to enjoy the surroundings and relax. The purpose of the Arboretum is to maintain the forest and other plant life in their original natural condition. This is also a great place for birdwatchers.

Zuma Rock is a large monolith that is located just north of Abuja. At times it is referred to as the “Gateway to Abuja”. This rock is depicted on the 100 Naira bill (national currency). Zuma Rock rises 725 m.As visitors get closer to the rock they can see a human-like face with engravings that represent eye sockets, the nose and mouth on the side that faces Abuja. It represents a lovely and unusual natural work of rock formation. This is a good place to picnic.

Take the time to visit the Matsirga Waterfalls which cascade from a face of sheer rock through four natural tunnels. It is 25 meters tall and plunges down into a pool. Local people call the stream that feeds the falls “River Wonderful”. The area has amazing natural beauty and you can see parrots and finches.

Sightseeing in Nigeria

In the city of Abeokuta an unusual attraction is Olumo Rock. The name of the city translates to “under the rock”. This rock served as a rock of offense, a fortress for the Egba Land people, since the 19th century. Here you'll find natural tunnels, unique trees, natural cantilevers, gardens on the rock and more.

Yankari Game Reserve is located in Bauchi State in northeastern Nigeria. It is the biggest wildlife retreat in the country. Here you can find the largest herd of elephants in Nigeria. Tourists enjoy taking guided safari tours and exploring the tropical forests. Among the animals making their home here are olive baboons, patas monkeys, roan antelope, and western hartebeasts living in their natural habitats.

The Lekki Conservation Center is one of the best nature reserves in the country. It is located near the city of Lagos. There is great biodiversity here and all is being done for the preservation of the coastal environs of western Nigeria.

Agbokim Waterfalls are a series of seven cascades. These are surrounded by green vegetation with thousands of birds flying and chirping about. The falls are located in southeastern Nigeria on the border with Cameroon. This is a nice area for picnicking.

In the city of Ibadan you'll find the lovely Agodi Gardens. This botanical garden is one of the top tourist attractions in the country. There are many beautiful colorful blooms and garden paths to stroll along and enjoy nature.

In the Kaduna State is the luxurious Kajuru Castle, a Medieval-German style villa that was built over three decades ago. The bedrooms have been modeled after dungeons and several towers have crenelated walls. This castle even has a portcullis, the vertically closing gate along with a crocodile pit. The guest tower has four rooms. To cool off there is an outdoor swimming pool with fascinating views of the surrounding mountains.

Tarkwa Bay Beach is a sheltered beach located by Lagos Harbor. It is popular with swimmers and those that love water sports. It is on an island away from the usual hustle and bustle.

Dream World Africana was established in 2018. It is an amusement park where people can enjoy rides like the Red Baron, Family Coaster, 24 Seat Pirate Ship, a carousel and more. It is located in Lekki, Lagos state.