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Olumo Rock
Abeokuta, the
capital of Ogun state, lies on the Ogun
river amid rugged, rocky hills, and has an
intriguing array of markets which sell a
wide range of exotic goods. Abeokuta means
‘under the rock’, derived from the Olumo
Rock the town’s most famous landmark.
Olumo Rock, sacred to the Egba people, is on
the east side of the Ogun river. Visitors
should engage a guide from the tourist
center at the bottom of the rock where one
can explore the caves used as sanctuary
during the Yoruba civil war. At the rock’s
summit, visitors can enjoy good views of
Abeokuta and the Ogun River.
Ibadan
Ibadan was until recently the largest
indigenous African city. Located along the
edge of a thickly wooded forest belt, it was
called Eba-Odan, meaning ‘a town at the
edge of the forest’. Today it’s the
capital and main commercial center of Oyo
state. Places of interest include Dugbe
market, a huge traditional marketplace, the
parliament Building, the University of
Ibadan, Nigeria’s premiere university, its
Teaching Hospital and Cocoa House. Ibadan is
also close to the historic towns of Oyo,
Ogbomosh, Ijebu-Ode, Ife, Ilesha, and
Oshogbo.
Ile-Ife
The ancient city of Ile-Ife, in Osun state
is truly unique. The Yorubas consider it to
be the cradle of creation of civilization.
Legend says that it was at Ife that Oduduwa,
sent by Olodumare, the Yoruba creator-god,
established the first land upon the waters
that covered the earth, thus founding life.
His sons spread to other parts of Yoruba to
create further kingdoms. Ile-Ife became a
remarkable center for arts, producing both
terracotta figures and bronzes dating from
the 12th to 15th centuries, second only in
fame to the Benin bronze.
Ondo
region
Ondo area has many fascinating tourist
attractions including the Ikogosi Warm
Spring, Indare Hills, Iplo-Iloro waterfalls,
Ebomi Lake and the museum at Owo. The most
popular are the Ikogosi Warm Spring and the
Indare Hills. The Ikogosu Warm spring is
located in a valley in Ikogosi Town,
northeast of Akur.
Anambra
region
Anambra offers many exciting attractions
throughout the area, including the Ognunike
caves, Agulu Lake, Igbo-Ukwu archeological
excavations and the Aguleri Game Reserve.
Onitsha, located on the Eastern bank of the
river Niger, is famous for its robust market
and commercial activity. The traditional
Ofala festival, performed by royalty in
Anambra, are rare pageants of color and
fanfare.
Bida
Bida is a lively town, famous for its
handicrafts and colorful market, and is the
principal city of the Nupe people. Bida is
famous for its glass beads, cloths, silver
and brass work, it's carved 8-legged stools
made from a single piece of wood, and
decorative pottery. Bida's market truly
stands out as a traditional showcase of
local commerce in Nigeria.
Gurara
Falls
Gurara Falls is on the Gurara River in Niger
State, on the road between Suleja and Minna.
Particularly impressive during the rainy
season, the falls span 200 meters across
with a sheer drop of 30 meters.
Owu Falls: Owu Falls, in Kwara State is
the highest and most spectacular natural
waterfall in West Africa, at its best during
the rainy season. The waterfall cascades 330
feet down an escarpment with rocky outcrops
to a pool of ice-cold water below.
Fishing
Koton-Karifi is located west of Okene and
about 20 miles north of the confluence of
the rivers Niger and Benue. Koton-Karifi is
a paradise for fishing, since the Niger
tributaries are teeming with fish.
Jos
Jos has always been a popular destination
for tourists due to its height above sea
level (4062 feet). Jos has two golf courses,
Rayfield and Plateau, plus a polo club and
other sports/entertainment offerings. The
National Museum in Jos is one of the best in
Nigeria, especially for archaeology and
pottery, where many fine examples of Nok
heads and artifacts, circa 500 BC- 200 AD,
are displayed. The Pottery Hall has an
exceptional collection of finely crafted
pottery from allover the country. On the
same grounds, the Museum of Architecture
contains life-size replicas of Nigerian
architecture, from the walls of Kano to the
Mosque at Zaria to a Tiv village.
Other attractions in the area include the
wildlife park, nestled amid 8 sq. km of
unspoiled savanna bush. The Shere Hills can
be seen to the east of Jos and offer a prime
view of the city below. Assop Falls is a
small waterfall. Riyom Rock is a dramatic
and photogenic pile of rocks balanced
precariously on top of one another,
observable from the main Jos-Gimi road. Kura
Falls is a refreshing area for walking.
Bulatura
Oases
The Bulatura Oases are on the western side
of Borno State northeast of Nguru. The
severe beauty of this desert landscape is a
great experience. The oases are also
excellent for bird-watchers; in the dry
season there are thousands of palaearctic
migrants which congregate there.
Mandara
Mountains
The Gwoza Hills are breathtaking. They are
located southeast of Maiduguri, and
southeast of the village of Gwoza Valley,
along the Cameroon border.
Mandara Mountains are also in this area,
stretching from south, in the Mambilla, to
Mubi in the north.The Mandaras provide some
of the most spectacular scenery in all of
Africa.
Katsina
Katsina, the northernmost city in Nigeria,
sits on the edge of Sahel and borders the
neighboring country of Niger, which has
traded with her for centuries. Katsina, one
of the old walled Hausa cities, is the
capital of Katsina State. The Goborau
Minaret, a most picturesque tourist
attraction, is the tallest mud-brick
building in Nigeria and is 250 years old.
Birnin
Kebbi
Birnin Kebbi, a centuries old Hausa-Fulani
walled city is the capital of Kebbi State.
The area is famous for traditional arts and
crafts, beads, swords and glassware, and is
the site of the Argungu Fishing Festival,
one of the most popular tourist attractions
in Nigeria. Held annually, it attracts
competitors from neighboring Niger and Chad
Republics, plus many visitors from all over
the world.
Sokoto
Sokoto, the center of Islamic activities in
Nigeria, is the home of the Sultan of Sokoto,
the spiritual leader of Muslims in the
country. It is famed for its excellent
leatherwork: handbags, wallets, fans and
other items featuring exquiste crafting. The
Sultan's Palace has lavish architecture and
guards in their multicolored regalia.
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