5 Best Vacation Destinations in Nigeria

Thinking of taking a vacation with your loved ones, a baecation with your significant other, or just going somewhere new to relax? Here is a list of 5 of the best vacation destinations in Nigeria.

Nigerians are some of the most adventurous people in the world and we generally love to have fun. However, tourism within the country is at a very low rate. This is because most Nigerians would rather spend ridiculous sums of money traveling to other countries of the world instead of discovering new places within the country.

While Nigeria is taking a back seat in the tourism sector, countries like Dubai, Greece, Jamaica, Cape Verde, Bahamas, Seychelles, and Italy have fully utilized this sector to boost their economic growth.

Several reasons impede the development of Nigerian tourism, amongst these factors include a lack of concern by the government to improve and develop the sector, lack of infrastructure, absence of good facilities, and insecurity.

Blessed with an abundance of cultural heritage, history, wildlife, and beautiful natural sites ranging from waterfalls, exotic beaches to mountains. The tourism sector has massive potential, if only it can be well developed.

Below are some of the best vacation destinations in Nigeria:

1. Obudu Mountain Resort

Located in Cross River State, Nigeria. The resort is blessed with beautiful scenery and a serene environment, it is one of the most popular vacation destinations in Nigeria. It has several beautiful and affordable hotels where residents can get accommodation while enjoying the wonders of nature.

Some of the wonderful activities to engage in at the Obudu Mountain Resort include:

• Hiking on the vast amount of natural trails.
• Riding the cable car: This is one of the most popular side attractions at the resort. It is a six-minute drive that gives you a view of the resort from the sky.
• Crossing the canopy walkway: This is only for those who consider themselves brave and adventurous, the walkway is a bridge suspended 70 meters above the forest.
• Playing an abundance of outdoor games: Tourists can enjoy a good old game of golf on the 9 hole golf course, enjoy the Swimming pools available at the resort and go horse riding.

2. Yankari Game Reserve

The game reserve is one of the biggest wildlife reserves in West Africa and is blessed with a diverse amount of unique and scarce animals. Located in Bauchi state, it plays home to one of the largest elephant populations in Nigeria, the endangered West African lion, buffaloes, and hippopotamus. It provides an opportunity for tourists to watch different animals in their natural habitat. Tourists can also visit natural sites like the Marshall caves, Wikki warm spring, Dukkey wells, and visit the Anfara iron-smelting site.

3. Sacred Grove

located in Osun State, Nigeria, the Sacred Grove of Osun is a Unesco world heritage site and is one of the remaining ancient landmarks in Nigeria. Situated in the forest are different ancient shrines and effigies of different deities, the Sacred Grove of Osun also play host to the Osun festival which is done yearly to celebrate the ancient Yoruba goddess Osun.

The Osun festival is one of the biggest tourist attractions in Nigeria, with hundreds of tourists trooping in yearly to witness the festival. A popular place to visit there is the Erin-Ijesha waterfall, a waterfall where cold and hot water meets, bathing in the spring has been said to possess healing abilities.

4.  Gurara Falls

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Located in Niger state, The Gurara falls is one of the popular tourist sites in Nigeria. Tourists get to watch one of the largest waterfalls in Nigeria and also use its recreational park for picnics and go swimming in the Gurara pools at the bottom of the waterfall.

5. The Lekki Conservation Center

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Perfect for nature trails and hikes, the lekki conservation center is one of the most popular tourist centres in Nigeria. Located in the Lekki Peninsula in Lagos State, The resort is blessed with an assortment of wildlife, hiking trails, and beautiful flora and fauna. It has a 21 meters high tree house where visitors can have a good view of the resort, it also has the largest canopy walkway in Africa.