Nigeria is a bustling powerhouse, and as the most populous nation in Africa – it dominates the continent.
The many natural landmarks, wildlife reserves, art, and culture should make Nigeria any and every nature lovers next travel destination.
Abuja
Abuja is the capital of Nigeria and is an absolutely beautiful city. Located in the centre of the country, naturally, you won’t be hitting up any beaches just yet…
But really cool markets, beautiful parks and some incredible mosques will have you swimming in culture instead!
Things to see in Abuja Nigeria
Compared to some of the other Nigerian cities, this one has a reputation of being slightly quieter. Which can be great for catching your breath or doing some shopping.
With a little bit of planning though – the quiet streets and cultural sites around every corner will make this city one of your top stops.
Tourist attractions in Abuja Nigeria
Being a truly beautiful city, and the capital at that – here are some of the must-see tourist attractions Abuja Nigeria has to offer:
The Abuja Millennium Park
Millennium park is a fantastic opportunity to savour the freedom and freshness that nature has to offer. The park is a great spot to walk the dog, let the kids run around or to just spread out on a blanket and have a picnic.
The Millennium Park was commissioned in December 2003 by Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, and is around 32 hectares in area. It’s a public park, therefore entry is free.
With no shortage of parking, the entrance to the park can be found just off the Three Arm Zone Road.
Abuja National Mosque
Also known as the Nigerian National Mosque – this major tourist attraction in Nigeria is definitely a beauty to behold.
The Mosque is a national monument and is home to an Islamic library, a school and a conference room that is able to seat 500 people.
This spectacular masterpiece looks beautiful inside and out, and the architecture is said to brighten up the city of Abuja.
The beautiful landmark is primarily used as a mosque and is therefore always full, especially on Fridays and during prayer times.
Places to visit in Abuja Nigeria
Being in the centre of Nigeria, naturally, there are many places to visit in and around Abuja. Here are some places you will definitely want to visit during your stay in Abuja:
Gurara Waterfalls
Beautiful and natural land forms, clean water and different spots for different people. This is a great place to spend the day however you would like to.
Climbing, chilling or swimming (do not do this on your own, it can be very dangerous) it really is up to you how you decide to enjoy this raging wonder.
Driving from Abuja, it is a good 2 hours drive (the road is pretty good besides some potholes so just keep your eyes on the road) with a private car – this one should definitely be on your list of day trips.
Stories of these waterfalls have been passed down from generation to generation, and – as the story goes – Gurara Waterfalls were discovered by a Gwari hunter called Buba in 1745. It is said that the locals used to worship these waterfalls too.
The Abuja Art and Crafts Village
Originally established in 2003 for the exhibition of Arts and Crafts during the Commonwealth meeting, this artsy creation has risen to be one of the most popular places to visit in Abuja.
The rustic feel of the round huts, thatched roofs, paintings, beads, and drums that fill this colourful village make this a must-see for locals and tourists alike.
This is a great spot to find a souvenir to take home with you – and you will find that it will most probably come with a story too.
Famous landmarks in Abuja Nigeria
Aso Rock is a large outcrop of granitic rock located on the outskirts of Abuja and will be a welcomed feature of your drive to the Gurara Waterfalls too.
The Aso Rock is a 400 meter (1,300 ft) monolith, and is the cities most noticeable feature. You will most definitely not miss it, that’s for sure.
Another amazing landmark in Abuja Nigeria is the Zuma Rock. Like The Aso Rock, the Zuma Rocks towering size demands respect.
This big brother rises 725 meters (2,379 ft) above its surroundings and you will have a difficult time not noticing it from wherever you are standing in the city of Abuja.
Tourists can climb both rocks for an amazing view of the city – if climbing’s not your thing, then be sure to snap a picture with one of these beauties in the background!
Things to do in Abuja Nigeria
Looking for some entertainment in and around the city? Check out a couple of things you can do in Abuja Nigeria:
Go shopping at Wuse Market
An urban open air market where you can buy clothes, Nigerian fabrics, fresh food, music and art works – some electronics too. Nice and friendly outing for during the day.
Be sure to brush up on your bargaining skills to get the best out of this one – you may find a piece of artwork has different prices for different folks.
The Magic Land Amusement Park Abuja
If you’re in Abuja and looking to spoil your kids (or yourself) for the day, Magicland Amusement Park is worth checking out.
The Park offers a number of rides and a beautiful scenery. Greenery and rocks as the backdrop make this a great place to spend the day if you’re into rides and games.
Taste the culture
Street food. Half the fun is really getting to experience new cultures, and experiencing the different tastes of these cultures shouldn’t be missed.
Different dishes from all over Nigeria can be found in different shops all around the city.
Look out for a dish called Tuwo Shinkafa – it’s one of the most delicious foods in the Northern part of Nigeria. Abacha and Ugba is another popular Nigerian food, and is known as ‘African Salad’ – it can be eaten as a meal or snack.
Check out some galleries
All over Nigeria there is a lot of art that can be seen and bought.
Market places aside, there are a few must see art galleries: sculptures and paintings make these galleries worth a drop in.
Some galleries that should be on your list are the Nike Art Gallery, the Thought Pyramid Art Centre, and Omega Gallery.
Lagos Nigeria
If you know where to look, the vibrant, buzzing and diverse city of Lagos can be far from boring, for anyone.
It doesn’t get any bigger than Lagos, the largest city in Africa’s most populous country, and there is much to see and more to do.
Things to see in Lagos Nigeria
Knowing where to go and what to see is an important part of traveling. You don’t want to miss out, and you definitely don’t want to be left behind.
Here are some must-see attractions, spots and landmarks you don’t want to miss out on during your stay in Lagos:
Tourist Attractions in Lagos Nigeria
On holiday and wondering what to see out in Lagos? Check these cool tourist attractions out.
Freedom Park
The old prison grounds on Broad Street was made up to become this national heritage site and must-see location for anyone who has a love for arts, culture, and recreation.
The park is home to a gallery, museum and a food court, making it a great outing for everyone wanting to soak in some of the city.
Lekki Conservation Centre
Want to check out the longest canopy walkway in Africa?
Set an early alarm then! Mornings are the best time to visit – and make your way to the Lekki Conservation Centre.
Run by the Nigerian Conservation Foundation, this centre has a huge tract of wetlands set aside for wildlife viewing.
The canopy walkways make for an ideal viewing spot for crocodiles, monkeys, various birds – Twitchers, and animal lovers can enjoy them all.
Walking isn’t your thing? There is a library at the centre too!
The cost to visit the Conservation Centre is 1000 NGN (for adults), 200 NGN (kids aged 1-10) and 300 (11-17 years) and opening hours: 8:30 am – 5 pm, 7 days a week, including holidays.
Places to visit in Lagos Nigeria
There is no shortage of places to visit in Lagos, and with two tourist attraction inspired day trips already in the bag – here are a few more places you should visit during your stay:
The National Museum
For those interested in learning about Nigeria and its rich history, set aside a couple of hours to visit the National Museum.
The National Museum is a place for anyone visiting Nigeria for the first time, and it is a window into the multi cultural society that makes up the country.
Kalakuta Republic Museum
Legendary musician, Fela Kuti’s old house is now a museum with fascinating things to see – from his curtains to his (super cool) closet.
Everything is still intact from the kitchen to the closet – maybe even some of the smells too.
Jazz Hole
If collections of books, music and jazz records are your thing – the Jazz Hole is definitely a spot you’ll want to visit.
With a truly warm and charming atmosphere, you can enjoy some tea or coffee, while soaking in and browsing an array of music and books.
Your eyes, ears and taste buds will enjoy this one.
Famous Landmarks in Lagos Nigeria
Like in other parts of Nigeria, yet another amazing rock makes for a really awesome landmark in Lagos.
Olumo Rock
If shrines, sacred trees, tribal war-time hideouts, and climbing (or not, there are stairs too) is your thing then this is a great place to hire a guide and climb the Olumo Rock.
It can be pretty steep and slippery at one point, so a guide is advised. Guides may try to encourage the stairs, but if rock climbing is something you’re good at – let them know that.
The view is unbelievable from the top of the rock, and when you reach the summit, don’t forget to look down on the corrugated iron roofs of the town: you’ll see St Peter’s Baptist church, which was built in the 1840s, it’s the oldest church in Nigeria.
The price of this excursion will cost N2500, and a guide will start at around N1000.
Things to do in Lagos Nigeria
Lagos has so much to offer anyone wanting to get out and active and experience this exciting city. From beaches and galleries, to memorable nights on the town – Lagos has something for everyone.
What to do in Lagos Nigeria
With so many different things one could end up doing, here are some fun things to do in Lagos, Nigeria you shouldn’t miss out on:
Eleko Beach, Lagos
Soak up the sun, rent a hut, enjoy a braai (barbeque) – this beach decorated in palm trees is the perfect way to spend a day catching a tan.
For the best experience, hire a taxi to drop you off. The beach is quiet during the week but very busy on the weekends, you don’t need the hassle of finding parking on holiday.
Vendors selling fresh fruits, vegetables, fish, prawns and various arts and craft items make for buzzy and colourful weekends around this beach.
Osun Sacred Grove
A large area of rainforest on the outskirts of Oshogbo. The grove is home to alligators, snakes, monkeys and antelope.
If you find yourself in Nigeria in August, these cute(ish) creatures will open up their home to you for a week-long festival!
The festival is a commemoration of a sacred Goddess, and over time, the festival has succeeded in attracting tens of thousands of believers and tourists from within and outside the country.
Natural beauty isn’t the only thing you can expect to see. The grove has much to offer, and there are many stunning sculptures by Suzanne Wenger (an Austrian artist that made Nigeria her home in the 1950s) to keep your eyes wondering.
For a tour, give one of her adopted children a call: Sangodare (0803 226 2188) or Doyin Faniyi (0803 226 2188) – for an extra fee of course.
Suzanne Wenger’s House
Now that you’ve had a taste of some of her artworks, it’s time to check out what used to be Suzanne Wenger’s remarkable house.
A tall, gothic building, decorated with sculptures and objects of different artworks are crafted onto the walls – absolutely incredible.
Nike Art Gallery
One of Nigeria’s most well known artists, Nike Okundaye, runs this huge gallery full of contemporary and traditional Nigerian arts.
With a little cafe in the gallery, many people stay longer than they expect to – the artwork is really amazing, so plan to spend about 3 hours here.
The four floors that make up this amazing gallery are a reflection of the love and beauty that Nike herself has projected onto each and every wall of this space.
Lagos Nigeria Downtown
Victoria Island offers an array of world-class restaurants, shopping malls, hotels, bars, nightclubs and movie theatres.
If you’re keen to grab a bite to eat, be sure to head down to NOK Restaurant for some real African cuisine.
Why not check out Silverbird Cinema to catch one of the latest movies?
Looking to spice up your night life instead? Hit up some of the cool downtown spots in Lagos, Nigeria.
Raving nightclubs and bars line the streets of Victoria Island, and if you’re looking to dance the weekend away then Escape should be at the top of your list.
Club Quilox is another option for the night owls – so grab your friends and get ready for some cool beats and some great dance floors.
Conclusion
Whether it’s a relaxing stay, soaking up all the sun and culture Nigeria has to offer, or an exciting and really unique adventure in a foreign city you’re after – then what are you waiting for?
