Nigeria is a country that is so richly blessed in all things, from human to natural resources and of course, great tourist attraction centers. There are several tourist attractions in Nigeria, each with its own uniqueness, nature, structure and historical background. These include exotic beaches, mountains, water falls, amongst others.
Are you on vacation or holidays, and you are looking for the best place to visit with your loved ones for site seeing? Don’t worry, as Nigeria has got some amazing tourist attraction centers where you can sure feel the beauty of nature in its original form.
This post therefore intends to highlight the top 10 tourist attraction centers in Nigeria, with pictures, so you can better appreciate the places and make informed decisions as to the ones that best fits your taste. So without expending more time, here is the top 10 tourist attraction centers in Nigeria.
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What Is a Tourist Attraction Center?
According to Wikipedia, A tourist attraction is a place of interest that tourists visit, typically for its inherent or exhibited natural or cultural value, historical significance, natural or built beauty, offering leisure and amusement. As one of the biggest economies in Africa, Nigeria boasts of a few amount of tourist attractions ranging from mountain resorts to beaches.
Here are some of the most beautiful and amazing tourist attractions in Nigeria:
Obudu Mountain Resort
Obudu Mountain Resort (formerly known as the Obudu Cattle Ranch) is a ranch and resort on the Obudu Plateau in Cross River State, Nigeria. It was developed in 1951 by Mr. McCaughley. The ranch’s temperate climate, breathtaking views, tranquility and beautiful views has made this resort one of the famous tourist sites in Nigeria and even in Africa.
A recently added cable car from the base to the top of the plateau gives visitors a scenic view while bypassing the extremely winding road to the top.
Location: Obudu, Cross River State
The Idanre Hill or Oke Idanre
houses a unique ecosystem upon which the cultural landscape has integrated and is one of the most beautiful natural landscapes in Nigeria. It includes such cultural sites as “Owa’s Palace, Shrines, Old Court, Belfry, Agbooogun footprint, thunder water (Omi Apaara) and burial mounds and grounds.” It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Location: Oke-Idanre, Ondo State
Coconut Beach, Badagry
Popularly known and called “Badagry Beach”. It has breathtaking and beautiful ocean views; it’s a perfect place for relaxation and fun. It is surrounded by a lot of coconut trees.
Location: Badagry, Lagos State
Kainji National Park
Kainji National Park was established in 1978, and it has three different parts, the Borgu Game Reserve, the Zugurma Game Reserve and the Kainji Lake, where fishing is prohibited. It is situated in Kwara and Niger State.
Location: Niger State
Erin Ijesha WaterFall
Erin-Ijesha Waterfalls, also known as Olumirin waterfalls, is located in Erin-Ijesha. The waterfall forms beautiful scenery, and it is one of the most attractive tourist centers in Nigeria.
Location: Erin-Ijesha, Osun State
Ikogosi Warm Springs
The Ikogosi Warm Springs is a tourist attraction located at Ikogosi, a town in Ekiti State, Nigeria. Flowing closely to the warm spring is another cold spring that meets the warm spring at a confluence, each maintaining its thermal properties. These strange attributes make the spring a tourist attraction in Nigeria.
Location: Ikogosi, Ekiti State
Olumo Rock
Oluma Rock is a popular tourist center in the city of Abeokuta, Nigeria. It was used as a fortress by the Egba people in the early 19th century. Olumo rock, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Nigeria, sits in the ancient city center of Abeokuta. Hotels in Abeokuta are within minute’s drive from the rock, including Gateway Hotel and Olumo Guest House.
Location: Abeokuta, Ogun State
Yankari National Park
Yankari National Park is a large wildlife park located in Bauchi State, Nigeria. It is home to several natural warm water springs, as well as a wide variety of flora and fauna. Its location in the heartland of the West African savanna makes it a unique way for tourists and holidaymakers to see wildlife in its natural habitat. Yankari was originally created as a game reserve in 1956 but was later designated Nigeria’s biggest national park in 1991. It is the most popular destination for tourists in Nigeria and also one of the most popular eco-destinations in West Africa.
The “Wikki Camp” is the tourist centre of the park. Located about 42 kilometers from the main entrance gate, the camp is built beside, and named after, the Wikki Warm Spring, which is open for swimming 24 hours a day. There are 110 furnished chalets of varying size and quality, ranging from the ‘’presidential’’ suites to the youth hostel, all of which are being upgraded in phases. The camp also provides a restaurant, bar and conference centre. Daily safari trips depart at least twice from the camp.
Location: Bauchi State
Bar Beach
Bar Beach was a beach on the Atlantic Ocean along the shorelines of Lagos and situated at Victoria Island. It is the most popular beach in Nigeria.
Location: Victoria Island, Lagos State
Ogbunike Caves
Located in a valley blanketed by tropical rainforests, Ogbunike Caves make it an ideal tourist destination. These caves are closely associated with historical and spiritual significance. There are 317 steps that need to be used to descend down to the caves. It is a UNESCO Heritage Site.
Location: Ogbunike, Anambra State
Ibeno Beach
Ibeno Beach is one of Africa’s biggest sand beaches. The beach has a wonderful view of the ocean, and its beautiful sand will leave you with memories. The beach is located in Eket, a city in Akwa Ibom state. It is a great place to unwind and relax, as the landscape is soothing and serene. A walk around the beautiful shore and coastline is enough to improve your mood. A lot of fun lovers host picnics on the beach and because of the lovely sea breeze, it is a perfect spot for partying and beach volley.
Location: Eket, Akwa Ibom State
Awhum Waterfall
Ohum waterfall or Awhum waterfall is located in Enugu State. It can be found in a small town called Amaugwe village in Udi Local Government Area, Enugu State. The town has a lot of beautiful lakes and picturesque hills that are visually appealing. Awhum waterfall is gloriously beautiful. It was known to have mystic powers to either heal infirmities or ward off evil spirits. A lot of Christians regularly visit the waterfall because of this.
Location: Amaugwe village, Enugu
Arochukwu Long Juju Slave Route
The Arochukwu Long juju slave route is a thicket route that is sited around the famed Arochukwu shrine. The slave route can be found in Abia state. It is an ancient beauty that is worth exploring, especially if you want to learn the history of the Ibo people first-hand. It is an enduring relic of the trans-Atlantic slave trade.
Location: Arochukwu, Abia State
Gashaki-Gumpti National Park
Gashaki-Gumpti National Park is the biggest national park in Nigeria. It is located in Taraba state, very close to Adamawa state. It is made up of forests, valleys and grassland. It is also home to Chappal Waddi, Nigeria’s highest mountain. A lot of farming and pastoral grazing takes place in this area. Gashaki-Gumpti National Park is home to many animals such as elephants, chimpanzees, wild dogs, antelopes and lovebirds.
Location: Gashaki-Gumpti, Taraba State
Read: Obudu Mountain Resort: Prices, When to Visit, and Exciting Things to Do
Ikom monoliths
Ikom monoliths are monoliths located in Cross River state. These monoliths are studied extensively and research has estimated that they may have been engraved since the sixteenth century CE. As many as 300 monoliths can be found in the area and these monoliths have decorative inscriptions and carvings.
Location: Ikom, Cross River State
So that is it, guys. Every Nigerian should endeavor to visit these places before they die because life is too short to live without going to places where you can have a lot of fun. Still have any further questions? Feel free to use the comment section down below, and we shall get back to you as soon as we can.