18 Most Beautiful Places To Visit In Nigeria, Number 17 and 18 will wow you.
1. Olumo Rock
Olumo Rock, which stands at a height of 137 metres above sea level, is a bit easier to climb than the Zuma Rock which stands at a height of 725 metres . There are in fact man made stairs carved into the rock, making the climb fairly easy even for less fit visitors to this tourist location. There is also the availability of an elevator, in the event that you want to take the easy way up to the apex of the rock, albeit it comes at a cost. From the apex of the rock, you would be afforded a panoramic view of other tourists’ locations in Abeokuta like First Church of Nigeria, the Central Mosque, the River Ogu as well as the family house of the late Moshood Abiola. Hotels in Abeokuta within minutes’ drive from the rock include Gateway Hotel and Olumo Guest House.
The name Olumo means “troubles and sufferings are all over”. The history of the rock dates back to the 19th century Oyo Empire when Abeokuta was inhabited by the Egba people who found refuge at the Olumo rock during inter-tribal wars. The rock functioned as a tower of strength for the Egba people in their wars to defend the new settlement as well as a vantage point to monitor the enemy’s advance leading to eventual triumph in war. The rock is nature’s large monument made from indigenous materials.
The element of its native formation is its strong point as a refuge and a hideout. . Olumo Rock is the most significant representation of Egba nationalism. It is the distinctive monument linked with their heroism and freedom. Thus, Olumo rock symbolizes unity and freedom not just for the Egbas alone but for all the residents of Abeokuta. The year 2006 saw a string of remodelling being carried out at this tourist site in order to further its course as a prime tourist location in Nigeria. Thus, after the remodelling, facilities like a new museum, restaurants, water fountain, and an elevator (to ease the climbing challenge) were added.
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2. Ngwo Pine Forest
This beautiful forest of pine trees also contains a small cave system as well as a waterfall. Ngwo Forest is located in Enugu State.
3. Ibeno Beach
Stretching over 89 kilometres, Ibeno Beach is believed to be the longest beach in West Africa. Ibeno beach is located in Akwa Ibom State.
4. Lekki Conservation Centre
The Lekki conservation centre is a 78-hectare conservation site located in Lagos state. It was established to protect mangrove, flora and fauna from the urbanization.
5. Gashaki-Gumpti National Park
This is Nigeria’s largest national park. It contains diverse fauna and flora. Gashaki-Gumpti national park is located in Taraba state.
6. Ikogosi Warm Springs
Located in Ekiti state, Ikogosi warm spring is one of the eight warm springs in the world. Ikogosi also has a cold spring which forms a confluence with the warm spring.
7. Obudu Mountain Resort
This is located on the Obudu Plateau in Cross River state, close to Cameroon. Obudu mountain resort is famous for its semi-temperate climate and scenic views.
8. Ancient Nok Settlement
One can take a trip to the ancient Nok site where the various terracotta figurines were discovered in Jaba, Kaduna State.
9. Kano City Walls
The walls around the ancient city of Kano are 14-kilometre baked earth structure. Closely associated with the walls are the Emir’s palace, Dala Hills and Kurmi market
10. Ogbunike Cave
Ogbunike cave is a big sandstone cave that has been designated a UNESCO heritage site. It is located in Anambra state.
11. Matsirga Waterfalls
The waterfall takes its source from springs on the Kagoro Hills cascading from four different natural funnels off the sheer rock cliff from about 25 metres to form a large pool at the bottom.
Situated in Madakiya close to Kafanchan, about 227 kilometers south of Kaduna, the water at Matsirga Waterfalls drops 30 metres into a gorge that has been supported by beautiful rocks. The fresh cool breeze around the area has something to offer tourists.
12. kainji national park
The Nation’s premier National Park was established by the amalgamation of two former game reserves-Borgu and Zugurma in 1976 and the legal instrument setting it up was promulgated in 1979(i.e. Degree 46 of 1979).The park was subsequently reconstituted under Acts 36 of 1991 and 46 of 1999 now Cap (act) 65 of 2004 which established additional National Parks in Nigeria.
LOCATION AND AREA:
Oli river
Kainji lake National Park is located in the northwest central part of the country between latitude 9°40’N and 10°30’N and longitude 3°30’E and 5°50’E in Niger and Kwara states ,500km from Lagos and 385 km north east of Abuja the Federal Capital.
An effectively Protected National Park with a total area of 5340.82sq/km separated into two distinct non-contiguous sectors namely Borgu sector with an area of 3970.02 sq/km and Zugurma sector with an area of 1370.80 sq/km respectively.
CLIMATE:
The Climate exhibits wet and dry seasons April to November and November to April respectively. The mean annual rain fall is 1100 to 1200mm about 200 days.
TEMPERATURE:
Temperature ranges between 10oc and 30oc (Mean is 30oc) and the average relative humidity is 53%.
TOPOGRAPHY:-
The Park is a typical inselberg landscape with round hills wide pediments/plains separating them and incised river channels slopping down towards the River Niger valley. Some of the Rivers in the Park include. Oli Menei, Doro and Manyara Rivers etc.
13. Tarkwa Bay
Tarkwa Bay is sheltered beach located near the Lagos Harbour. It’s a popular with swimmers and water-sports enthusiasts, also home to a welcoming resident community. You’ll love this beautiful island that far removed from the hustle and bustle of Lagos. Tarkwa Bay Beach, unlike most public beaches in Lagos, isn’t often noisy or overcrowded. This makes it a great place for some alone time with your significant other or perhaps a fun day out with your friends.14. Awhum Waterfall and Cave
Awhum waterfall is situated at Amaugwe village of Awhum town in Udi Local Government Area. The waterfall is as a result of massive outcrop of granite rock with water cascading over the top forming a stream. A section of the fall is warm through the season. The fall is 30 meters high and is located close to Awhum Monastery. The water is said to be curative (have healing power) and capable of dispelling evil forces if and wherever it is sprinkled. It takes about 45 minutes walk from the parking spot to the fall. The site is good for religious tourism.
15. Osun-Oshogbo Sacred Grove
The Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove is a large cultural landscape of undisturbed forest near the city of Osogbo in southwestern Nigeria. Dedicated to Osun, the Yoruba goddess of fertility, the area was established more than four centuries ago and is the largest of the sacred groves that have survived to the present. The Osun River meanders through the protected area, with sanctuaries and shrines erected along its course. In the twentieth century, the development of the movement of New Sacred Art invigorated efforts to protect the grove, and modern sculpture now adds to the spiritual significance of the site. This movement was led by Susanne Wenger (1915–2009), an artist and Yoruban priestess, and it transformed Osogbo into a hub of artistic activity and new ideas about contemporary African art. In 2005, the Osun-Osogbo Sagred Grove was designated a World Heritage Site.
Sacred groves used to be found near every Yoruba settlement, but their disappearance over time has made Osun-Osogbo an important reference point for Yoruba identity and the Yoruba diaspora. The historic landscape remains a place of worship and plays host to an annual festival, but by the time it was included on the 2014 World Monuments Watch it faced a number of modern challenges. The rapid growth of the city of Osogbo was causing pressure on land use that was affecting the area around the site. Additionally, the Osun River was becoming increasingly polluted and bush fires posed a continuing threat to the sacred area. The Osogbo community is strongly attached to the site, and Nigerian heritage authorities are leading efforts to raise awareness about these challenges through community activities.
Since the Watch
In January 2014, one of the shrines within the grove was restored by craftsmen who employed traditional materials and techniques in their work. During the following year various improvements were made at the site. The number of annual river cleanings increased from one to four, resulting in significant improvements in water quality, and plant regeneration and replanting projects drastically increased the diversity of tree and shrub species in the forest. Conservation management, cultural tourism, and disaster risk management plans were prepared, and a higher percentage of funds from the grove’s annual festival were allocated to conservation work.16. Gurara Falls
Gurara waterfall is a beautiful fall with small streams emanating from the Gurara river running around the rocks on the cliff, converging and falling into a pond about 20 meters below. It is located in Niger state on the road between Suleja and Minna.
Gurara waterfalls got
its name from village bordering the river. Some Europeans discovered the
place and found it suitable for recreational activities on weekends.
(They decided to develop the place into a reputable tourist resort).
This falls is one of
the nation’s greatest potential holiday resorts. A tarred road leads to
the falls where there are a mini bar and a permanent pavilion which is
erected at a strategic point thus offering to tourists the best view of
the Falls while sitting and relaxing.
This mother nature has small streams
diverts from the main Gurara river running softly around rocks on top of
the cliff, converging from score tributaries in the narrow rugged pass
and dashing out from the cliff with a gushing power.
There are two main streams of waterfalls, but in the rainy season, the
whole cliff would be covered with a curtain of waterfalls. To get close
to the waterfalls, visitors need to make a daring walk. Around January
the falls are a trickle and visitors can swim in clear pools at the
bottom of the falls. Visitors can take a day trip to the gushing Gurara
waterfalls – an hour drive out of the city of Abuja.
In the mid 1970s Bohea designed and established Nigeria’s first commercial tea project comprising a 450ha irrigated estate on the Mambilla plateau.
From 1993-1997 HVA International provided technical assistance and procurement services for the Mambilla Tea Integrated Development Programme (MTIDP) in Nigeria. The main components of the assignment included rehabilitation and expansion of the existing tea estate (from 450ha to 850ha) and out-grower tea plantings (from 140ha to 400ha, rehabilitation, modernisation and expansion of the tea factory (from 1,200t to 2,250t made tea per annum) strengthening the out-grower farmers association and training management, operational and extension staff.
THE MOUNTAIN:
The picturesque Mambilla Plateau that can be found in the southeast corner of Taraba State shares a border with Cameroon. The Mambilla Plateau is a high grassland plateau that averages about 1800 meters. The Mambilla Plateau is an exclusive topographic area with some of the biggest and highest mountains in Nigeria – some of the peaks are over 1840.
18. Erin Ijesha Waterfalls
This waterfall is in Osun state. It has seven levels which visitors can climb and a village at the top.
Read more at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/03/the-mystery-calledikom-monoliths/
Read more at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/03/the-mystery-calledikom-monoliths/
Read more at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/03/the-mystery-calledikom-monoliths/
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