Nigeria is a country known for its rich diversity. With each coming mile, you’ll get to see a lot of variety in culture, food, people, and lifestyle. You must have seen many travellers describing their experiences on platforms like Naija news or blogs/vlogs.
The sheer beauty of Nigeria never fails to mesmerise anyone; that’s why a significant number of travellers visit Nigeria to experience the charm it has to offer. Here are seven such beautiful places that are popular in Nigeria.
- Okomu National Park
The Okomu National Park, previously known as Okomu Wildlife Sanctuary, is home to 33 mammal species like the pangolin, leopard, chimpanzees, African buffalo, and even endangered species like African Forest Elephant. It is one of the well-known places in Nigeria, situated in the northwest of ancient Benin city. This 1,082 km² vast forest block was once blooming with thick flora and fauna. Sadly, industrial logging and village encroachment have shrunk the forest to its 1/3rd size.
There are also some untouched tribal villages in the park. The residents of these tribal villages are still conserving their authentic Naija culture and traditions.
- Benin City
Benin city is located at the east of the Okomu National Park. Benin city is an industrial town with a rich history of its own. Back in history, the city was called Edo, as it was located in the center of the Benin Empire. It is an excellent place for tourists and travellers to explore the wilds of southern Nigeria. The old Oba palace, an architectural feat, is still present in the centre of the city.
There’s also a National Museum branch located in the city centre at King’s Square. If you plan to visit Benin city, you will witness open-air bronze workshops on the Igun Street of Benin.
- Erin-Ijesha
Finding Erin-Ijesha on the map can be a little tricky. This small town, not bigger than a speck on the map, has a hidden gem of a place. Erin-Ijesha is known for its beautiful waterfall that flows through two states and crashes in the southern Nigerian jungles. Being a little away from the historic city of Ilesa, this famous waterfall draws oodles of people to enjoy its oozing beauty.
- Gashaka Gumti National Park
Made in 1991 by joining two fantastic Nigerian game mesmerising reserves, the Gashaka Gumti National Park covers 6000+ square kilometres of the country’s southeast end. It is known for its thick green forests and breathtaking views at every turn.
Famous for its winding rivers and riparian corridors, the Gashaka Gumti National Park is the home for red-faced lovebirds, rare avian species. The park also hosts elephants, golden cats, and chimpanzees swinging on the trees while the African forest buffalos relax in the watering holes of the forest.
- Idanre Hills
Situated in the Idanre town in Ondo state, Idanre hills is a popular tourist destination in Nigeria. The tremendous natural architectural arrangement of the hills pleases the eye. It takes 640 steps to reach the top of the hills. Don’t worry; you won’t have to climb the hills in one go. There are five spots to rest on the way to the top. The serene Arun river and the lush green forest make a mesmerizing amalgamation of nature’s wonders.
- Calabar
The town of Calabar is one of the famous tourist spots known for numerous things, like the Calabar Museum, which holds the dark history of Calabar. Calabar was one of the major slave-trading ports in West Africa.
You can also witness the fantastic primate centuries outside the town and the Duke Town chapel, the oldest Christian worshipping house in Nigeria. Calabar is one of the best places to see while travelling to the southern Nigerian coast of Cameroon.
- Obudu Cattle Ranch
The Obudu cattle ranch is a famous family resort in Obudu Plateau in Cross River State, Nigeria. Located in the highlands and deep tropical forests, it is the most spectacular tourist destination in Nigeria.
The resort consists of a water park with numerous slides, a swimming pool, and a golf course. The resort also hosts various activities like nighttime bonfires and horse riding.
You can also take a hike along with the mountains and the forests. The Obudu cattle ranch is considered very popular and featured on numerous travel shows and Naija news channels.
These were some of the popular tourist places one shouldn’t miss while visiting Nigeria. Make sure you plan the trip to avoid any troubles and have a fun and safe trip to the world of Naija.
