Nigeria
Nigeria, an African country on the Gulf of Guinea, is known for its natural landmarks and wildlife reserves. Safari destinations such as Cross River National Park and Yankari National Park showcase waterfalls, dense rainforest, savanna and rare primate habitats. One of its most recognizable sites is Zuma Rock, a 725m-tall monolith outside the capital of Abuja that’s pictured on the national currency.
Capital: Abuja
Population: 173.6 million (2013) World Bank
Currency: Nigerian naira
Official language: English
Tourist Attractions
1.Millennium Park, Abuja
Commissioned in 2004 by Her Royal Highness, Queen Elizabeth II of England, Millennium Park is the largest public park in Abuja and it has a nice walkway with fountains and lights.Millennium Park was conceived and designed by an Italian architect Manfredi Nicoletti, and it has become one of the main attractions of Abuja.Millennium Park offers a good spot to walk the dog or come for a picnic. Evenings are especially nice to enjoy the beautiful lights at the park.Parking is plentiful and the park’s entrance is off the Three Arm Zone road.The park has a narrow river running through its centre and the remains of what was probably more extensive riverside woodland clinging to its edges.The river starts in the distant hills and many of the birds in Abuja use it as a corridor to get from one area to the other.Millennium park offers visitors opportunity to savour the freedom and freshness that nature offers.Especially during the weekend when there is the need to relax, visitors can frequent the garden.A typical visit to the part at the weekend, most especially on Sunday is thrilling.There are ongoing plans in the pipeline to expand the park with projects to include the millennium tower, cultural centre and a museum that will house a broad collection of African arts.
2.Cross River National Park
Cross River National Park is an integral part of the Cross River State rainforest conservation area, located in Boki LGA and spans from Kanyan to the foot of the Obudu plateau with a total land area of 720sqkm of rugged mountain scenery and rolling hills. The park is divided into two sections.The smaller area to the north-east, Okwangwo Division, is separated by about 50 km of disturbed forest from the larger Oban Division. Oban Division is contiguous with Korup National Park in Cameroon. The Cross river and its tributaries drain northern parts of Oban Division, while southern parts are drained by the Calabar, Kwa and Korup rivers.The terrain is rough and elevation rises from the river valleys to over 1,000 m in mountainous areas. Soils are ferralitic and sandy, and steadily become shallower with increasing elevation.Cross River National Park is one of the richest areas of tropical rainforest in West Africa. Currently, the WWF, the Nigerian Conservation Foundation and the Federal Parks Service are carrying out an integrated conservation and development project in the northern part of the park.The project has created a proper boundary for the park, and programs are being implemented against illegal hunting, logging and land clearance.The Park is home to many localised species of plants and animals which, include gorilla, drill, chimpanzee, a gwantibo or golden potto forest elephant, saleginella specie. Baboons, Leopards, Red Foxes, Drill Monkeys, Buffaloes and Elephants are also found there. It also harbours a rich collection of flora and fauna.
3.Awhum Waterfall & Cave, Enugu
Awhum waterfall is situated at Amaugwe village of Awhum town in Udi Local Government Area.This beautiful Awhum waterfall is as a result of massive outcrop of granite rock with water cascading over the top forming a stream.
A section of the waterfall is always warm through the season.Awhum waterfall is 30 metres high and is located close to Awhum Monastery.The water is said to be curative (have healing power) and capable of dispelling evil or satanic forces if and wherever sprinkled.It usually takes about 45 minutes walk from the parking spot to the fall.
