Nigeria Travel Guide: Best Places & Time to Visit, Delicacies

364, Cadastral Zone,
Central business district (CBD),
Off Constitution avenue, FCT, Abuja

• Original passports with six months validity from the date of arrival in Nigeria along with old passports, if any
• Visa application forms
• Two recent photographs of the size of 50mm X 50mm with a light background
• Original Yellow fever vaccination
• Polio Vaccination certificate
• Cover letter mentioning the details of the traveler, type of travel, and details of the visit
• Income tax returns or Form 16 for last 3 years
• Original and updated personal bank statements for last 6 months

An invitation letter from a person who has invited the traveler to the country. The individual who will send the sponsorship letter needs to provide his/her contact details as well as passport copy if the person is Nigerian. If the person is a foreigner, then he/she needs to give his passport copy along with their address and work permit card copy.

Situated on the Gulf of Guinea, Nigeria is the largest oil producer in Africa. The country is also blessed with plenty of places to visit that are slowly gaining the attention of tourists all over the world.

Be it the natural attractions, adventurous parks or historical monuments, Nigeria is home to a number of tourist spots. Some of the best places to visit in Nigeria are as follows:

• Yankari national park: Located in Bauchi state, it is spread in an area of about 2,244 square kilometres. The park is enriched with natural water springs and various species of plants and animals.
• Ibeno beach: Adoring the shores of Ibeno, this is the longest sand beach in West Africa. Apart from enjoying the scenic beauty, you can also indulge in fun water sports and have a wonderful time.
• Lekki conservation centre: One of the best nature reserves in the country, Lekki Conservation Centre offers a perfect escape from the monotonous life of the city. Some of the best things to do here is to take a walk on Canopy Walkway and play a game of chess on the huge chessboard.
• Zuma rock: Known as ‘the Gateway to Abuja from Suleja’, Zuma Rock is one of the best places to visit in Nigeria. People not only admire this gigantic monolithic Inselberg with a human face, but also climb it to enjoy the panoramic views of Abuja.
• Kajuru castle: Built in the late twentieth century, this is a luxury villa situated in Kaduna state. The villa has various amenities including a swimming pool and is best suited for families.
• New Afrika shrine: Located in Lagos, it is an open-air entertainment centre which hosts an annual Felabration music festival. Apart from musical performances, the place also showcases photo galleries of Fela which makes it one of the best tourist locations in Nigeria.

Other must-visit places in Nigeria include Kano City Walls, Osun Sacred Grove, Eleko Beach, Obudu Cattle Ranch, Nike Art Gallery, Aso Rock among others.

There are several international airports located in cities like Abuja, Lagos, Kano, Port Harcourt and Enugu. People travelling from India can take flights from cities like Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore to reach Nigeria. Some of the major airlines operating between India and Nigeria are Kenya Airways, Etihad Airways, Lufthansa and Egyptair. Buses and taxis are available from the airport to the other parts of the country.

Nigeria’s climate varies from area to area and is usually dry and wet. Spring and winter season are considered best for travel as the weather is quite pleasant, and one can visit the places without feeling uncomfortable due to the usual hot weather. However, this is also the peak season; therefore, the hotel tariffs are considerably high. If you are planning a budget trip, you can visit the country during fall season, i.e., September to November when the hotels are affordably priced.

It is advised that you must check the weather conditions of the country before packing for your trip. Apart from the clothes, here are some of the essential things you must carry in your luggage while on a trip to Nigeria:

• Basic medical Kit
• Important travel documents including travel insurance policy
• Hats and sunscreen
• Umbrella for tropical downpours
• Malaria pills and water purification pills
• Torch and insect repellent

Being home to hundreds of ethnic groups, Nigeria has a diverse cuisine which is lavish and colourful. Some of the top delicacies that you must try in Nigeria are:

• Pounded Yam: Noted among the most popular dishes of Nigeria, Pounded Yam is prepared using boiled and pounded white yam. It is best enjoyed when served with soups like Egusi, Ogbono, Vegetable and Okro soup.
• Garri: Prepared from fermented cassava tubers, Garri is served with soups and is one of the staple foods in the country. It is also considered the king among other Nigerian dishes.
• Jollof rice: A colourful dish, Jollof rice is prepared using rice, onions, tomatoes, chillies and a variety of spices. It is commonly served with vegetable or meat on special occasions.
• Suya: It is a famous snack that Nigerians love to eat in evenings. Suya is prepared using fish or meat doused with spices, which is then barbequed on a skewer.
• Afang soup: Made with local Afang leaves, this soup is another culinary delight one must try in Nigeria. The soup is served with fufu, Garri or Pounded Yam.
• Moi moi: A Nigerian steamed beans pudding, it can either be served with other dishes or enjoyed as a snack alone.

There are plenty of markets in Nigeria selling everything – from clothes and jewellery to shoes and leather bags. Below are the famous markets you can explore for shopping:

• Kurmi market, kano: With over thousands of stalls selling fabrics to unique African crafts, Kurmi Market is one of the most-visited markets in Nigeria. The market was founded in the 15th century by Muhammad Rumfa, a King of Kano and is a must visit place in Kano.
• Onitsha market, Anambra State: It is the largest market in Africa, and if you are a book lover, this is one of the best places to visit in Nigeria.
• Idumota market, Lagos: Another massive market in Africa, Idumota market is a shopping hub for home videos and music.
• Apart from these famous markets, there are various malls and shopping complexes where you can indulge in shopping and buy stuff for your loved ones back home. Some of the places you can explore are The Palms Shopping Mall, Murphis Plaza and Ikeja City Shopping Mall to name a few.

• Sherlaton Indian restaurant
  Location: 2-3 Adeola Odeku V.I, Lagos 550104, Nigeria
  Contact: +234 1 760 1873
• Spice route
  Location: 36 Adeola Odeku St, Lagos 101241, Nigeria
  Contact: +234 808 020 8080
• Bombay café
  Location: No. 14 Idowu St., Lagos 101281, Nigeria
  Contact: +234 1 794 0400

Here are some healthcare centres which you can contact in need:

• Lagoon hospitals Apapa
  Location: 8, Marine Road, Liverpool Road, Apapa, Lagos, Nigeria
  Contact: 08191442246, 07029175523, 01-6283812
• Federal medical centre, Abeokuta
  Location: Olabisi Onabanjo Way, Idi-Aba, Abeokuta, Ogun, Nigeria
  Contact: 08095948007, 08095947913
• National hospital abuja
  Location: Plot 132, National Hospital Road, Central District, Abuja, Nigeria
  Contact: 08037879543, 07032906466, 08033898694

It is advised that you buy a travel insurance policy to get the best services in case of an emergency. The travel insurance policy can help you trace the best health care centre and get a timely treatment.

The official currency of Nigeria is Nigerian Naira.

English is one of the official languages in Nigeria. It is mostly spoken by the upper-middle class people and can also be understood by the locals. Other official languages which are widely spoken in the country include Igbo, Yoruba and Hausa. There is also a Nigerian Pidgin which is a popular lingua franca in the region. While visiting Nigeria, try to grasp a bit of the local language of the region you are visiting. It is also advised to visit the country with a Nigerian friend or a tour guide for better and safe travel.