Calabar is one of the places to touch down in Nigeria. It is known for its rich tourism export. With its natural landmarks to the waterfalls to beautiful resorts wildlife reserves, many visitors are filled with excitement and pleasure during their stay in the city. When visiting Calabar, there are many things to look forward to doing and seeing.
The Calabar Carnival is the definitely a major highlight you should not miss. Every December, tourists from all over the world gather for the procession and display of culture and Heritage from Cross River and different parts of Nigeria.
Other places to go include:
1.Agbokim waterfalls
Located about 17km from Ikom and 315km from Calabar, Agbokim Waterfalls is close to the Nigeria-Cameroon border. It has seven streams, each cascading over steep cliff which provides seven-faced falls.
2, Kwa Falls
Located in the Oban division of the Cross River National Park, Kwa Falls is another narrow, steep gorge spectacular waterfall. It is characterised by a staircase of 234 steps from the top to bottom.
3. Slave history museum
The Slave History Museum is located on the site of a 15th-century slave-trading warehouse in Marina Resort, Calabar. The museum, which celebrates Nigeria’s rich history, also has an extensive depiction of the slave trade era in Nigeria and West Africa.
4. Obudu Mountain resort
There is no way you mention Calabar without Obudu Mountain Resort, one of the most popular destinations in the state. It is just 45 miles from the border with Cameroon. Located in the highlands of Cross River State and it is so high up that its temperate climate is one of the attractions.
5. Tinapa Resort
Located 10km from Calabar, Tinapa Resort is an integrated business and leisure resort established by the government of Cross River. It’s another popular attractions with water themed park. It has many world class facilities like a hotel, arcade, ampitheatre and so on.
6. Drill ranch
Drill Ranch, Pandrillus is located in Boki at the foot of the Afi Mountain about a 5-hour drive from Calabar. Pandrillus is a conservation area where Drill Monkeys are rehabilitated and re-introduced into the wild.Antelopes, parrots and other animals are also present.
7. Cross River National Park
The Cross River National Park is divided into two separate sections- Okwangwo (established 1991) and Oban (established 1988). The park is known as the Pride of Nigeria and for good reason, it is home to endangered species of animals and plants. It has been regarded as a biodiversity hotspot.
8. Mary Slessor’s house
Mary Mitchell Slessor was a Christian missionary that stopped the killing of twins in Nigeria. She arrived Nigerian shores in 1876 and settled in the Akpap Okoyong, Odukpani Local Government Area of Cross River State. She built the two bedroom mud house with a veranda, a store and a parlour which she called a “Caravan”.