When last did you take your kids or your spouse to visit some of the tourist destinations we have in Nigeria even if its a zoo? I remember as a kid, during the holiday periods, my parents would arrange a special visit to special places like the Zoo and parks and we all would sit down and have fun. Now i have grown up but i cant remember visiting any of these places. Maybe it's the modern lifestyle or just pure laziness. whatever the case, i think is time we traveled to some of the great tourist destinations in Nigeria,( at least online!). Two things we Africans need to embrace more? Books and tourism. There is so much fun and imagination in reading books, and that's cools but one of the greatest ways to actually live the imagination and experience is through traveling, no, not just traveling to the US to visit an uncle or for holiday, I am talking about adventurous tourism. The thrilling expedition is worth so much education. I have put together a grid of some interest destinations, within Nigeria and not very far away, that you, your family and a LOADS OF BOOKS FROM CYNTHIAKALUBOOKCLUB can visit this holiday period( there could even be more adventure in the hotel room, hmmm okay o). I personally didn't even know some of these places existed let alone visit them. So why dont we have some fun exploring these places and please do let me know if you have visited any of them, what your experiences were and where you will be visiting this holiday. Enjoy the read...
Ikogosi Warm and Cold Springs
The Ikogosi warm and cold springs is located in Ekiti West Local Government of Ekiti State of Nigeria. This natural wonder is sited in a valley where the warm spring rises from a valley while the cold spring flows down from another source side by side but separate from the warm spring. They connect in pool but each springs its thermal identity. The warm spring has a temperature of about 700c at the source and 370c after joining the cold spring. The spring water is believed to have healing effect on disease like guinea-worm and rheumatism. The traditional belief of the people about the origin of the springs and the undulating hills is another interesting aspect of a visit to this sight. Ikogosi Warm and Cold Springs has many recreational facilities like warm water swimming pool, chalets, beautifully manicured garden, reception building and 1000 capacity amphitheatre, arts and crafts centre.
Mambilla Plateau (Gashaka Gumti Park)
The Mambilla plateau is located in the highland region of Taraba State of Nigeria, it hosts the Chappal Waddi mountain which is the highest point in Nigeria with a height of 2,419 metres. It has an undulating landscape and is without insects. The plateau at the basement complex rocks is about 96km along its curved length and 40km wide, it is circumscribed by an escarpment reaching 900m high in some points. Some of the rare species of animals and birds are housed in Gashaka-Gumti National Park within the landscape of Mambilla Plateau.
Yankari Game Reserve
Yankari Game Reserve located in Bauchi State in north-eastern Nigeria is the richest wildlife oasis in the country. With about 350 elephant inhabitants, it is home to the largest remnant elephant population in Nigeria. The Yankari Game Reserve preserves a significant population of buffalo, lion,hippo, hartebeest and roan. The reserve occupies a landmass of about of 2,244 km² and is covered mainly by Sudan savannah vegetation.
Owu Falls
Owu Falls situated in Ifelodun Local Government area of Kwara State is the most amazing natural water fall in Nigeria. The water fall is about 120 metre above water level and flow 330 feets down to a pool of ice cold water below. The water falls is encircled by hills, natural vegetation and a beautiful natural ambience that makes it an amazing sightseeing destination. Imagine a place with fall of ice cold water, spectacular rock path enveloped in evergreen vegetation, it’s so beautiful.
Farin Ruwa Falls
Farin Ruwa waterfalls is located in Wamba Local Government Area of Nasarawa State. Farin Ruwa is such a magnificent natural spectacle. This breathtaking nature creation has a height of 150m and 50 metres wide. Its splendor can only be compared with Zambia’s Victoria Falls and Canada’s Niagra. The Nasarawa state government is building a resort at Farin Ruwa Falls which will have a golf course, hotel complex, amusement parks and chalets.
Kano City walls and gates: Guarded heirlooms
The ancient Kano city walls are 14 kilometres radius of earth structure built in order to provide security to the growing population. The foundation for the construction of the wall was laid by Sakri Gijimasu from 1095 – 1134 and was completed in the middle of 14th Century during the reign of Zamnagawa. In the 16th century, the walls were further extended to their present position. The gates are as old as the walls and were used to control movement of people in and out of the city.
Though, most of them are largely in ruins. Ancient Kano City walls and associated sites are places of spiritual, historical and cultural significance. Dala Hill was the place of the first settlement in Kano City and it formed the nucleus for the peopling of the rest of the city and was the foundation of its economic and political development.
Sukur Heritage Site in Adamawa State
Sukur or Sukur Cultural Landscape is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located on a hill above the village of Sukur in the Adamawa State of Nigeria. It is situated in the Mandara Mountains, close to the border with Cameroon. Its UNESCO inscription is based on the cultural heritage, material culture, and the naturally-terraced fields. Sukur is Africa's first cultural landscape to receive World Heritage List inscription.
Iron Age relics found in the form of furnaces, ore, and grindstones at the site have been established to be of pre-Sukur existence. There are also some finds from the neolithic period. The recent history is traced to the Dur dynasty of the 17th century. The Dur established the region as a major supplier of raw material for iron manufacture to northeastern Nigeria; this was perpetuated to the first decade of the 20th century. From 1912 to 1922 Sukur was ravaged by the invasions of Hamman Yaje, the Fulbe Lamido (chief) of Madagali. These wars resulted in the decline of iron smelting till 1960, a period which witnessed people migrating to the plains situated towards north and south of Sukur.The British colonising the region from 1927 did not make any difference to the cultural styles of this settlement.Nic David and Judy Sterner gathered information of the generally unknown site and many more publications are being compiled to make this site better known to the outside world.
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