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Nigeria is blessed with so many natural and breathtaking sights. From the beautiful hills and plateaus to the awesome waterfalls. You can’t help but agree that we have certain attractions that are just outstanding and out of this world. This is why it is a bother when we spend money on international vacations when we are yet to exhaust the wonders of the massive reserve of natural and man-made beauties we have locally. Listed below are the top 7 places you want to visit in Nigeria before you ever travel locally. Obudu Cattle Ranch: A personal favourite and all time vacation spot. This place is simply a wonder of nature. Now known as Obudu mountain resort, it offers both the vacation seeker and the business/conference folks the perfect environment. Nestling at the top of the mountain, the newly named Obudu Mountain Resort is situated on a plateau at 1576 metres above sea level on the Oshie Ridge of the Sankwala Mountains. The temperate climate offers a total contrast and welcome respite from Africa’s tropical heat. Idyllic tranquillity, beautiful scenery and breath taking views make it ideal for the lone adventurer, families on reunion, young couples or holiday groups. The food and beverage are taken at the Terrace Restaurant and Bar which offers a cosy and relaxed atmosphere made complete by the blazing log fire. National and continental cuisines are served to suit all tastes. The Obudu Mountain Resort offers a fully equipped gym, a golf course, two floodlit tennis courts, a squash court and a natural swimming pool. The tours to view the magnificent scenery and spectacular bird-life are a must for visitors to this part of the world and these tours can be taken on foot or on bicycle. For those who forgot to pack binoculars, the Canopy Walkway which is situated in the trees allows visitors thrilling close-ups of the birds in their natural habitat high above the ground. A major impressive point for guests is Africa’s longest cable car system. At 4 kilometres, Obudu Mountain Resort cable car gently transfers guests (and their luggage) from the tropical climate at the base of the mountain right to the hotel’s reception area on the mountainside which is often in the clouds and is accompanied by an invigorating drop in temperature. Yankari Game Reserve:

The Yankari Game Reserve located in Bauchi State is arguably West Africa’s best known wildlife area. Its prominence as a wildlife destination of choice dates back to the 60s, and since then Yankari has gained global recognition as a great destination for classic West African wildlife. Amongst the more prominent wildlife species found at the reserve are buffalo, elephant, lion, baboon, leopard, antelope, hippopotamus, Nile crocodile, spotted hyena, striped hyena, martial eagle, secretary bird, and a plethora of others. Also referred to as Nigeria’s Garden of Eden, the location is simply amazing. It covers an area of about 2,244 km² and boasts of natural formations such as the Marshall Cave Systems and the Wikki warm springs which provide cool and clear natural swimming facilities for visitors. Yankari Park also contains several archaeological preserves including the Dukkey Well System and the Ampara and Shanshau iron smelting works and furnace shafts dating back many centuries.   The Chad Basin National Park: The Chad Basin National Park is a delight for nature-lovers. Located in the Sudano-Sahelian ecological zone of the North-Eastern part of Nigeria between Borno and Yobe States, Chad Basin National Park covers a total area of 2,258km2 and fragmented into three sectors. The Chingurmi-Duguma sector, which is in Borno State, is in a Sudanese Savanna ecological zone while the Bade-Nguru Wetlands and Bulatura sectors are in Yobe State in the Sahel ecological zone. The park which is generally referred to as the conventional basin of the famous Lake Chad, is indeed a veritable heaven of adventure where visitors are spoilt with activities that will make the spirit soar. The largest is the Chingurmi-Duguma Sector covering an estimated 1228sq km in the districts of Gulumba and Woloji in the Borno state. The sector is made of large acacia woodlands and is dotted with dense patches of elephant grass in a stratified formation that adds to the natural beauty of the ecosystem. The sector has recorded 66 species of birds which include black-crowned crane, Aviles bustard, demoiselle crane, Arabian bustard, African-collared dove, yellow-breasted barbet and much more. The Bade Nguru Wetlands is part of the internationally renowned Hadejia-Nguru Wetlands and it covers an area of 938KM2. Situated southwest of Bade and Jakusko Local Government Areas of Yobe State, the focal point of the sector is the Dagona Waterfowl Sanctuary that is internationally significant as a host to migrant birds. This is one of West Africa’s most important stop-over points for birds migrating from Europe. It has been listed as an IBA (Important Birds Areas) supported by Bird-life International. Bulatura Sector is just a landscape of Sand Dunes in Yusufari town of Yobe State covering an area of 92sq km. It is made up of a series of fertile dune depressions (swampy valleys) referred to as Oases and also includes highly scenic sand dunes that hold great potential for ecological and adventure tourism. The park contains some rare desert wildlife like giraffe, ostrich, red fronted gazelle, jackals, mongoose, giant tortoise, panta monkeys, porcupine, ratel, spotted hyena, common duiker, warthog, dorcas gazelle, sitatunga, varieties of waders, glossy ibis, pelicans, secretary bird, knob billed goose, pintail, bustards etc.   La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort:

La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort is a 65 acre tranquil paradise located just an hour’s drive from Victoria Island in Lagos State. This resort offers a unique blend of natural environments which include a fresh water lake, accessible mangrove forest, a savannah, extensive sandy beach and the warm Atlantic sea. The resort provides world class accommodation and a variety of activities to ensure an experience like no other on your visit. The staffs are professional and friendly and the cuisine is second to none with 24hrs security. Care has always been taken to ensure that the Infrastructure at the resort blends in perfectly with the surroundings so that the spectacular ambiance of the tropical countryside is not lost. It also has luxuriously furnished holiday/investment homes with highly cosmopolitan African Decor. All rooms are fitted with ultra – modern appliances such as air – conditioners, TV and wireless Internet Service etc. it is also located within 2 minutes’ drive of a 27 – hole golf course currently under construction. Awaiting you there are Spa treatments, massage therapy, fully equipped cardiovascular gym with personal trainers. Cultural dance displays for guests / residents, fresh palm wine bar with an excellent ocean view, fine dining in elegant restaurants and much more. Other activities include hiking, hunting, horse riding, canoeing, ocean water fishing, aqua aerobics, beach volleyball & football.   Owu Waterfalls:
Credit: republika.pl
This heaven on earth is located in Owu Isin Local Government of Kwara State, Ilu Afonja. Owu Falls has been recognized as the highest and most spectacular water fall in West Africa. The water fall cascades 330 feet down an escarpment with rocky outcrops to a pool of ice cold water below which gives a beautiful landscape and offers visitors a refreshing atmosphere. Owu Falls is always at its best during rainy season which spans 200 metres across making it a wonderful vacation spot. In Owu Falls, you experience a fine mix of awesome attractions and access to top quality accommodation as Owu Falls offers a range of quality assessed accommodation with good quality restaurants. Its perfect location and memorable vacation experience makes it the perfect destination to host your next vacation. A fun filled and unforgettable vacation experience awaits you.   Idanre Hills: The historic Idanre hills are a marvellous tourist attraction in Ondo state. Located in Idanre town, 15km southwest of Akure, the state capital, Idanre Hills is no dreamland or imagery of sorts. Said to be 800 years old and reached by about 640 steps with 5 resting points on your way to the top, it is a breathtaking landscape that also provides a window to the town’s colourful history. From a few kilometres to the town centre, a first time visitor will not cease to marvel at the aesthetics, architecture and thoroughness employed by nature in the  assemblage of hills of various shapes and sizes at Idanre, also called ‘Oke Idanre’ by the locals. The evergreen landscape surrounding the hills provides fellowship with nature’s best. The peacefulness that pervades the atmosphere, the blossoming civilisation that existed on the hills, the rigours of climbing and a refreshing swim in Arun River, all make the Idanre Hills a wonderful place to visit. If you are adventurous enough, the tallest of the hills which rises to about 300ft above sea level, challenges you to a climbing game. Those who successfully dare the peak are rewarded with the very rare panoramic view of the topography at bird’s eye, which is a unique fortitude for ancient residents. There is also the ‘Omi Opaara,’ a narrow stream on one of the hills, is a thrill for visitors. Myth has it that the stream gushed out when lightning struck the hills as a result of a bitter feud between two powerful chiefs. Some visitors make effort to drink from the hill water which is believed to have healing powers. The excitement takes you further atop of the hills to the Arun River, a small river on the hill. It is believed that a swim in the middle of the river “will result in an eerie, fuzzy feeling.” Arun River is crystal clear and one can see crabs and a few other aquatic animals, and adjudge the water’s friendly depths. The more adventurous can also dare the Agboogun Footprints, which is widely believed to enlarge or contract to accommodate every foot. It is also believed that anybody whose foot does not exactly fit into the footprint is a witch or wizard. Yet, a tortuous climb will further move you to a plain where you see a carving on one of the hills that looks like an ark. Due to its semblance of an ark, the carving is nicknamed Noah’s Ark. The Hills is a cover to more beauty.   Mambilla Plateau: The Mambilla plateau is a high grassland Plateau which is a part and extension of the Adamawa, Obudu, Shebbi and Atlantic mountain chain. The Mambilla Plateau, which lies to the southern edge of Taraba State, is renowned for its rich scenic beauty. It stands at well over 1,830 metres above sea level and has a temperate climate with lush pasture green vegetation. The access route up the Plateau and the canyons is a breath-taking delight, with snake – like winding road that ascend the Plateau and natural springs that bore through rocks adorn the road. There is also is a spectacular bridge suspended over a valley. The Plateau is one of the few places in the federation where temperate plants like Apples, Pears, Arabica Coffee, Strawberries, Tea and Irish Potatoes grow very well. The whole area is Tsetse fly and Mosquito free with more than 2 million herds of cattle.   There are more places to visit in this vacation filled country like the Ogbunike caves in Anambra, the Azumini Blue River in Abia, the Agbokim waterfalls in Cross river and the NOK village in Kaduna; Nigeria boasts of a haven of scenic beauties and the list is endless. All it takes is a little more time to explore and utilize nature’s gift to us.    
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This article was first published on 3rd September 2012 and updated on September 25th, 2012 at 7:23 pm

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