Tourist spots can pull in overall consideration which rises above from setting up a physical building but also embodies structures or places of regular and physical value.
Some tourist attractions show historical significance while others like National Parks show off the beautiful animals living in their natural habitats.
Here are eleven of the tourist attraction spots across Nigeria:
1. Olumo Rock:
A visit to Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State is considered incomplete without stopping by Olumo Rock, which is regarded as the “fortress of Abeokuta”. No surprise that this rock is located in Abeokuta, as the name “Abeokuta” itself means “under the rock” as has been one of the choice tourist attractions in Nigeria. Olumo Rock has long served as a rock of offence and a fortress for the people of Egba Land, since the 19th century.
At Olumo Rock, you would be treated to attractions like natural tunnels, unusual trees, natural cantilevers, gardens on the rock, broken pathways, monuments of the belief system of the rock’s primeval settlers, e.t.c. You don’t want to miss these attractions, do you?
2. Yankari Game Reserve:
All roads lead to Yankari Game Reserve, in Bauchi State, North-Eastern Nigeria. Get ready to experience nature in the country’s biggest wildlife retreat. At the reserve, you will be captivated by the number of activities you can participate in.
Marvel at the largest herd of elephants in the country, embark on a guided safari tour and explore the tropical forests. At the Reserve, you’ll find different varieties of animal species including the olive baboon, patas monkey, roan antelope, western hartebeest, living in their natural habitats. After your day at the reserve, exploring the marvel of wildlife, head over to the Wikki Warm Spring. Your visit to the Yankari Game Reserve is incomplete if you don’t experience the warmth of this spring.
3. Lekki Conservation Centre:
The Lekki Conservation Centre, Lagos is one of the best nature reserves in Nigeria. This conservation and relaxation centre offers a breath of fresh air and an escape from the forever buzzing city of Lagos. The 21-year-old conservation centre cum nature hub, which covers an area of 78 hectares, is run and managed by the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF).
Generally regarded as an icon of nature conservation, Lekki Conservation Centre represents the flagship project of Nigeria Conservation Foundation for the preservation of unique biodiversity, scenic, natural, scientific recreational values of the coastal environs of western Nigeria. This is definitely one to make your tourism experience complete!
4. Zuma Rock:
The Rock ranks high as one of the choice tourist attractions in the Country. Zuma Rock, the monolithic Inselberg with a human face, is located in Madalla, Niger State, to the North of Abuja. It was once described as the unquestionable watchman of the F.C.T. It is the sandy concealment that hangs like a haze over Zuba Town.
The other mountains in and around it stay a considerable distance from it, which the Zuba people see as a form of respect being paid by the other mountains to Zuma Rock for its royal presence in the locality. Visiting Zuma Rock between April and October, which marks the rainy season in central Nigeria where the rock is situated, would afford you the opportunity of seeing the much talked Zuma Rock Fire, as the apex of the Zuma Rock catches fire under heavy rainfall. Over time, this has remained one of the wonders of the Zuma Rock.
5. Agodi Gardens:
Agodi Gardens is a beautiful park in the city of Ibadan which has risen to become one of the top tourist attractions in the country. Also called Agodi Botanical Gardens, Agodi Gardens, Ibadan, the site is a serene environment on 150 acres of land. It is usually patronised by families during festive periods and weekends.
It’s peaceful and calm environment makes it a perfect destination for you to take a break from the hassle and reevaluate life values or hang out with friends and family. From the water parks to the animal enclosure or even just walking through the garden paths, Agodi Gardens is sure to make you forget about reality!
6. Kajuru Castle:
Kajuru Castle is a luxury Medieval-German style villa, built over 3 decades ago located in Kaduna State, Nigeria. The villa is designed with bedrooms modelled after dungeons and several towers with crenellated walls. The medieval theme is seen throughout the castle, it even has a portcullis (the vertically closing gate) with a crocodile pit. The castle includes a guest tower with 4 rooms and the main building with a knights’ hall and a master suite ( also known as the “landlord’s residence”).
There’s an outdoor swimming pool for cooling off on hot days and a barbeque spot right by the pool. From the pool area and most of the castle windows, you will enjoy a fascinating view of the surrounding mountains and inselbergs. The Castle also has its own Sauna!
7. Nike Art Gallery:
A magnificent five-storey building coated in spotless white, standing high and proud in its environs, Nike’s Art Gallery tells its story from the outside. The fence of the compound is adorned with rare marbles. Its walls are covered in different artistic inscriptions and drawings. You immediately feel a deep sense of awe once you walk through its colourfully tattooed black gates.
This historical abode ranks high in the list of bedazzling Lagos destinations. From the inner courtyard of the gallery where you’ll find the stone sculptures, tie-dye workshop, and hanging craftworks, to the wide variety of art displayed inside the magnificent structure, you can rest assured that your love for Nigerian art will go through the roof.
8. Tarkwa Bay Beach:
Tarkwa Bay, a 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. If you are looking for a quiet romantic time, you should visit Tarkwa Bay Beach on a weekday. Though Tarkwa Bay Beach is a small and lesser visited beach, many fun seekers visit it during the weekends, public holidays and festive season.
9. Obudu Cattle Ranch:
Obudu Mountain Resort, formerly known as Obudu Cattle Ranch, is one of the most beautiful and pleasant tourist centre destinations in Nigeria. Located on the Obudu Plateau, close to the Cameroon border, in the Northeastern part of Cross Rivers State. This resort centre has grown to become a major destination choice for tourists. It has an attractive landscape and calming ambiance, with clouds smiling down on its peaks and valleys.
It offers visitors a good blend of warm and cold temperature, as it has a very temperate weather. The rooms in Obudu Mountain Resort are made up of chalets, standard room, executive room, huts to presidential suites. Although this resort is open to visitors throughout the year, the period between October and February is the best time to visit, as it is the time when the sky is very bright and the air is frosty.
10. Osun Sacred Grove:
Classified as one of the UNESCO world heritage sites. This sacred forest attracts a large number of tourists as it is definitely worth visiting and is reputed to rank high in the list of tourist attractions in Nigeria. Situated on the outskirts of Oshogbo, the capital of Osun state along the banks of the Osun river. Osun state is one of the states in the South-western part of Nigeria.
Majorly populated by the Yorubas who are indigenes of the state. Yoruba people believe that Osun sacred grove, which spans about 75 hectares of land, is home to Osun– the goddess of fertility. A festival that celebrates this fertility goddess takes place every year in Oshogbo. You will find scattered about the forest, shrines, and effigies of different deities. In addition to that, the forest contains about 400 different species of plants that are used for medicinal purposes.
11. Kano City Walls:
The city itself exudes tourism! Although the city has long taken a modern cosmopolitan hue, relics of the city’s past as the hub for commercial activities during the trans-Saharan trade still remain. The real identity of Kano can best be felt in the old city area. The mud houses with distinct Hausa local architectural dexterity. The narrow roads meant for only men and their domestic animals are still there.
However, gradually being lost as the ancient structures go modern, relics have gradually been wiped away by both man and nature. The walls also helped in monitoring the movement of people in and out of the city.
Have you been to any of these places? What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments.