Annoying habits every Nigerian traveler should drop

A majority of Nigerians love to travel whether within the country or around the world. While a number of them have good travel habits which keep them alert and prepared for possible setbacks including losing their luggage, getting sick or having something stolen, there are some who often exhibit behaviours that not only put them at risk and set them up for dire challenges while travelling, but also upsets other passengers unlucky to be on the same path as they are.

The thing is, most of the travelers who exhibit these habits do not even know that they do and so have no clue that they need to tackle them. Nigerian travelers need to drop to ensure they enjoy a continuously smooth experience.

Arriving late

Arriving late to the airport or terminal is a common habit for most people. They fail to consider the possibility of traffic or car failure when estimating time needed to get to the airport. Some do not pack at least a day before the trip but leave it for the morning of the journey and as a result, arrive late and miss their flight or bus, creating difficulties for not just themselves, but also the officers who help them cancel or re-book their flight. In some cases, people who have to stop over at multiple locations while traveling to a country abroad, arrive late to the plane, causing delays for others or in dire cases, facing the horrible challenge or re-routing or re-booking their flight. While travelling, it pays to keep to time.

Over packing

Many women are known for extra luggage. They like to travel with a lot of bags even if it just a short trip, and this habit can be very annoying as they end up taking most of the cabin luggage space, forcing other passengers to squeeze their luggage in tiny corners. Hotel staff get discouraged, escorting them to their rooms as they worry about carrying a lot of luggage.To save yourself the stress, stick to taking the essentials and do not pack anything you can get at your travel destination.

Asking for favours

Some people make a habit of asking for favours while travelling. Some of the popular favours they ask include: ‘Please, do you mind if we switch seats, I really do not like seating next to the window, I find it super scary’, ‘Do you mind if I put my things under your seat? I can’t fit these extra bags that I smuggled onto the plane under my own seat’, Or “Can I please use your phone to call my friend so she can know that I am close to the airport, I have run out of minutes.” Most passengers who give in to these request hold a level or resentment inside or get irritated. To keep the a cordial atmosphere with people they meet, they should ensure they make proper arrangements and do not bother others by asking for favours on the road.

Ignoring Seat Etiquette

Some air passengers are the worst when it comes to observing seat etiquette. They find it hard to keep to their own space while on their seat. They fail to understand the need for the armrest between two seats and they ignore the tray tables when eating, sometimes spilling food on other passengers as a result. The worst is when they sleep on the shoulder of the neighbor sitting next to them, possibly drooling on them. When travelling, ensure you keep to your seat and observe all etiquette, that way you are not a burden to your neighbor.

Flashing money

When traveling, it is important that you hide your valuables and only use them when necessary. This is to avoid attracting the wrong set of people, and is instrumental to ensuring you do not become an easy target for thieves and marauders.  Nigerians however, like to flash their money and even dress up in their expensive clothes and jewelry when travelling, especially abroad. They do this mostly to create the impression of affluence as most believe that affluence commands recognition and respect. However, unless you have body guards or some kind of immunity, it is important to drop the habit.

By Jovago team

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5 flight booking mistakes

Flying in Nigeria is expensive and booking airfares can become a nail-biting experience especially if you are yet to master the trick of take advantage of discount bookings offered by airlines.

While there is nothing you can do to avoid paying more than you’d like for airfare in Nigeria, there are a few things you can avoid to keep from paying more than you should. 

Booking too early

When it comes to flying, the super early bird really does catch the worm. While booking early for travel to popular destinations, as well as travels on high-traffic days and peak seasons may seem like a good rule of thumb, getting your flight ticket more than three months before the trip will most likely not yield the best price as you will be charged a higher fare.

You stand the greatest chance for the lowest possible fare 45 days out for domestic travel and 60 days for international because outside that time window, most airline computers are not programmed to give you any kind of a deal.

Also, airlines are still confident they will find a maximum amount of passengers to fill the seats, so they keep the fare high enough for extra benefits. It seems like a very tricky thing to do but booking at the right time can save you money.

Booking too late

Neither too early, nor too late! Do not hold off too long to book your tickets especially when it is for an international trip.

Apart from business trips which very often tend to be impromptu, you can plan your honeymoon, vacations and retreats in advance. If you have already marked out the probable flying date on the calendar, why not book a flight ahead to get rebates on airfare?

In Nigeria, the difference between today and tomorrow’s airfare depending on the available seats on flight is staggering.

Some airlines still offer low-cost, last-minute flights, especially when they are running a promo, but the likelihood is slim.

The only other exception to this is the bargain shopping found at the counter of these airlines on the morning of departure. In a mad scramble to fill the plane, some airlines reduce the cost of tickets and giving you the option of saving thousands of Naira on a choice flight. This, however, is usually an option reserved for those who know how to hustle.

Booking during business hours

If you are a savvy Nigerian traveller, you will know that airline ticket prices fluctuate throughout the day and you have a chance of making substantial savings just by booking at the right hour or time of the day.

Many people who do not know this trick end up paying more for their flights.

Business hours (9 am – 5 pm) are the worst times to book your airfare as there are a large number of others trying to book a flight ticket and the rush in traffic inevitably ups the ticket rates.

Travel experts say that the best time to book a flight is actually Wednesday at 1 a.m (in the time zone the airline is based) as all of the super-low fares that were not purchased come back onto the airline’s system, providing a prime opportunity to take advantage of a glut of discounted ticket prices. Good thing is that you can do this online in Nigeria too.

Not booking with the airline

In Nigeria, there are so many platforms that assist with airfare comparison and flight bookings.

While this seems like a good option to take, especially as it makes booking super easy and convenient, it can cost you much more than you are willing to deal with. Apart from the charge they tack on to book through them, sometimes these  websites get your information wrong or give you incorrect details on the airline you are booking on.

For instance, they can charge you normal flight rates when the airline is running a seasonal promo. So once you have done research and found the lowest available flight, get on the airline’s website or call them directly to book the flight yourself.

Not clearing your cookies

This might a little too tech for some travellers, but it is a huge mistake most people who book their flights online make. Every savvy traveller is well aware of the fact that most airlines track online behaviour of their users, that way they identify which flights that are searched frequently per time and up the airfare for such flights.

It is therefore important to clear your cookies or book on another computer altogether after shopping for fares on one computer, as that is the best way to counter the trend. You can even take it a step further by changing your location or simply asking someone in another location to make the booking for you.  Again, you can beat the IP issue by using your mobile device as long as you it is not also using your home Wi-Fi connection.

By Adeniyi

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THE TRUTH ABOUT NIGERIA YOU MUST KNOW.

The country referred to as Giant of Africa is one of the most prominent countries in the world. However, over the years, certain incidents have led to birth and sustenance of certain negative stereotypes that seemingly hang over the country today.

Although most of these stereotypes are mere generalizations, they give a false impression of the country as well as its people, and tend to form the basis on which others her people. If you are visiting Nigeria, it is important to clear your mind of these stereotypes and hold on to the truth.

1. Nigeria is loved by its citizens.

The country is rich in natural resources and quite a number of its citizens not only remain within the country to harness the possibilities on offer, they love and remain patriotic to the country’s cause.

There is the impression that every person from the oil-rich nation is looking for an avenue to travel abroad for greener pastures. Admittedly, there are quite a number of Nigerians in diaspora, however, even those who live outside country visit regularly and eventually return to set up business or retire in the country.

2. The people of Nigeria work hard to earn their living.

Quite a large number of people in this country actually work hard to earn a living. They work decent jobs per day and start business which even grow into big companies. Some of the top richest men in the world are from Nigeria, with their net worth are backed by actual stocks in market.

As is with every other countries in the world, there are bound to be con artistes who swindle wealth off others; a practise most Nigerians frown upon.

3. Education is valued.

They appreciate education so much that a parent is willing to sell his land and property to ensure his or her child is properly educated. Almost every state in the country has at least two tertiary institutions and a myriad of nursery, primary and secondary schools. While many struggle to afford schooling, quite a number are still educated at even to the Masters level.

4. Nigeria is safe.  

With the Civil war of 1967, minor tribal riots and most recently, the rampage of the Boko Haram sect, Nigeria has been labelled by most foreigners as a volatile country.

With the break of any issue, the news media as well as independent columnists seek opportunities to highlight possible conflict or outbreak of war in the country. The nation is represented is such a way that public opinion is classified to reflect discord between local tribes and an advancement in terrorism within the country.

The truth however is that so far, there have been no genocides or war. The country is as safe as most other nations and the government is making fruitful efforts towards containing terrorism.

By Blessing

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Talk of Tourism Destination of the Week: Ile Ife

Vastly cultural, justifiably traditional, and fairly cosmopolitan, Ile-Ife in Osun state, Southwest Nigeria is like an egg that is always accorded respect by all and sundry. The greatness attributed to Ile-Ife is well-deserved because it is the cradle of an important Nigerian race; Yoruba. This is part of the reason why the Ooni of Ife, the custodian of Ife norms and traditions, is revered and powerful at home and abroad. 

Adding to the cultural fascination of Ile-Ife is an aesthetic tourist destination that is known for giving visitors an indelible treat. One thing this city is recognized for globally is its age-long art history depicted by bronze heads of the kings of Ile-Ife which dates as far back as the 1300 BC. Unfortunately many of these heads have been looted. Jovago.com, Africa’s No 1 hotel booking portal shines the spotlight on this culturally and art rich town.

Top three sites

Oranmiyan Staff

In an ancient city like Ile-Ife, mysterious finds are never rare. One top tourist attraction that has defy explanations how it got there is the Oranmiyan Staff (Opa Oranmiyan). The staff is 18 feet above the ground and some deft designs are on it. The mystery attached to the staff has brought tourists from all over the world to see it. The Oranmiyan Staff can be seen at the Oranmiyan Shrine at the Arubidi quarter of Ile-Ife. Although certain traditional rites are performed there, it is still open to tourists. But there are some parts of the shrine that could only be accessed by those who are can only be peopled by initiates. The Oranmiyan obelisk is hundreds of years old and has history behind.

National Museum, Ife

The national Museum, located in Ile-Ife Osun State Nigeria, is well known for it’s archaeological exhibits of the Yoruba art of terracotta and bronze figures. It is the next door neighbour of the Ooni’s palace. The museum is an excellent place to learn about the people, culture, art and craft of Ile-Ife.

Ooni’s Palace
A visit to Ile-Ife is not complete without checking out the magnificent palace of the Ooni of Ife otherwise known as Ile Oduduwa, named after the first king of the Yoruba race. The palace is an in-depth reflection of ancient Ife because the palace existed alongside the city as far back as 500 BC. It is a perfect symbol of power, authority and pride for all who trace their heritage to Ile-Ife. Even with the modernization of the palace, traditional and cultural part of it is still preserved. The palace is a sacred place where you do not just indiscriminately wander. The  present Ooni of Ife is the 40 year old Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II who recently ascended the throne of his fathers after the death of Oba Okunade Sijuwade. You can pay homage to the king and will be warmly welcomed but ensure that you follow proper protocol while at the palace. The palace is located in Enuwa Area of Ile-Ife.

Where to Sleep

Despite being an evolving city, the presence of the Ooni’s Palace, the celebration of the Olojo festival and education environment of the Obafemi Awolowo University formerly the University of Ife has made many business minded persons to establish nice hotels in the flourishing town. Some of these hotels are Kriscourt Hospitality limited, Xela Hotel and Resort, Molak hotel, Abike Guest House Limited and Molak hotel. More of these hotels can be perused and booked on Jovago.com.

Where to Eat

The people of Ile-Ife are predominantly Yorubas. Do not be surprised if you see them munching foods you are familiar with in other Southwest states. Nevertheless, you do not need to worry about where eat when you are hungry. There bukkas and restaurants where you can satisfy your biting stomach. These restaurants are Eda restaurant, Forks and fingers, captain cook restaurant and sekodun restaurant.

Shopping in Ile-Ife

Obasewa shopping complex, Shop-Right, Mayfair Shopping Complex, and Ipetumodu market are some of the places you can do your shopping in Ile-Ife.

Fun Fact

The present Ooni of Ile-Ife-Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II is young, dynamic and handsome. He is in the forefront of uniting the Yoruba race. He displayed this trait unity when he visited the Alaafin of Oyo. The last visit of an Ooni to the Alaafin was 79 years ago.

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Jovago Gains New Major Investor In A 75 Million Euros Funding Round.

Lagos, Nigeria – 08/02/2016   Jovago.com, Africa N° 1 hotel booking website, Africa Internet Group (AIG) and AXA, a worldwide leader in Insurance and Asset management announced today a partnership to develop the expansion of Jovago in a new round of funding aimed at boosting its activities in Africa. This would further ensure the expansion of the business and strengthen the brand in major cities across Africa and Asia.

AXA as a major investor confirms Jovago’s strategy to expand its operations and local presence in Africa in order to meet the needs of domestic and international travelers. The world class player, will invest £75 million and own approximately 8 percent share capital of AIG, mother company of Jovago. As a result, AXA will thus become a shareholder of AIG along with MTN, Rocket Internet and Millicom.

Through this partnership, Jovago’s current positions as Africa’s largest inventory of hotels will be further consolidated as the company continues its provision of a secure platform to increase the visibility of hotels, improve service quality, facilitate the movement of travelers  and promote profitability for their businesses.

“It’s amazing for Jovago to partner with such a strong group as AXA who will allow us to strengthen our ability to build the first plateform for travellers in Africa. Jovago wants to break the barriers to travel and make travel more easy and affordable in Africa. The suppoer of AXA will be key to succeed. ” said Paul Midy, CEO Jovago. He continues by explaining that “since the funding is well-timed and the amounts invested significant, this makes for one of the top investments in the history of start-ups in Africa. It also strategically positions Jovaog and Africa Internet Group to further build e-commerce in Africa.”

This investment will allow AXA to build on the strength of AIG companies to further develop its activities as the company becomes the exclusive provider of insurance products and services throughout AIG.

“This transaction confirms AXA’s long-term commitment towards the African markets and represents another step in our development on the continent. Africa is home to some of the most dynamic and promising insurance markets in the world and our partnership with Africa Internet Group will enable us to accelerate materially our development by having access to their rich customer base and to their state-of-the-art e-commerce technology. Going forward, we aim to enable African consumers to better access insurance solutions to create sustainable financial well-being throughout their lives and those of their dependants“, added Denis Duverne, Deputy CEO of AXA.

Since its creation in 2013 and the opening of its first offices in Africa, Jovago has recorded steady growth. Its large inventory lists 25,000 hotels in over 40 African countries and 200,000 hotels worldwide. With its ongoing success, Jovago aims to drive the innovation of its digital services in the hospitality industry in emerging countries.

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About Jovago

Jovago.com is an online hotel booking service with offices in Lagos (Nigeria), Nairobi (Kenya), Dakar (Senegal) founded by Africa Internet Group and has MTN and Millicom as investors. Jovago.com, Africa’s No.1 booking portal, facilitates the booking process for its users to provide them with the best hotel booking experience with fast, transparent and easy-to-use services.

About AXA

The AXA Group is a worldwide leader in insurance and asset management, with 161,000 employees serving 103 million clients in 59 countries. In 2014, IFRS revenues amounted to Euro 92 billion and IFRS underlying earnings to Euro 5.1 billion. AXA had Euro 1,277 billion in assets under management as of December 31, 2014. The AXA ordinary share is listed on compartment A of Euronext Paris under the ticker symbol CS (ISN FR 0000120628 – Bloomberg: CS FP – Reuters: AXAF.PA). AXA’s American Depository Share is also quoted on the OTC QX platform under the ticker symbol AXAHY. The AXA Group is included in the main international SRI indexes, such as Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) and FTSE4GOOD. It is a founding member of the UN Environment Programme’s Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) Principles for Sustainable Insurance and a signatory of the UN Principles for Responsible Investment

source: Jovago.com

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Five (5) Ways To Have Fun At Jabi Lake

 

Nothing beats a day at Jabi Lake . A major tourist attraction in Abuja for visitors from around the country, including Minna and Kaduna, the lake offers an inexpensive, fun day for the family, a great place to hang out with a lover or friends and someplace to go by yourself, enjoy the sun and read a good book.

Encircled in a sea of water and gorgeous scenery, it offers the closest to beach experience within the city. If you happen to be traveling to the area from out of town, Jovago.com offers a list of things to do at the lake that will keep you on your toes and offer you great opportunities to encounter something new and different.

Window shop at Jabi Lake mall
The Jabi Lake mall is the most recent addition to the Jabi Lake environs. Situated on 5 hectares of land on the eastern shore of the Jabi Lake, ten minutes away from the Abuja Central Business District, and flanked by Shehu Yar’Adua expressway and the Jabi and Utako districts, overlooking Jabi Lake, the spot attracts a large number of visitors per day. While visiting Jabi Lake, stroll into the magnificent mall and feed your eyes to a feast of products available in stores all located within the mall. Have fun checking out the fashion trends and latest brands…and if you have some money to spare, you can make a purchase or two.

Shake your hips in a dancing competition
Dance competitions are a common occurrence at the Jabi lake. If you are not able to register and secure a chance at any of the dance competition, kick up your adventure genes, crash one of the competition and give yourself a chance to compete with skill dancers, and for a prize too. You might end up discovering a talent you did not know you had within you while having fun all the way.

Take a boat ride
The Jabi Lake offers amenities like speed boat rides, canoe rides as well as other water sports. Shake off your aquaphobia and go on a speedboat ride. Usually, you can go on a ride with an expert who charges a token or you can drive the boat on your own. The canoe rides are slower but as much fun as well. In a city where there is a dearth of seas side, an opportunity that offer sea breeze and adrenalin pumping speed on water can be quite exhilarating.

Picnic with a boo at Jabi Park
Jabi Park Abuja is a cool garden beside the Jabi lake. You get a chance to relax on a mat with friends and feast on whatever goodies you decide to bring, while observing the environs. The good this about Jabi Lake is that you do not need to stress yourself over cooking and packing food. Just come with a mat and a basket and you can fill up the basket with food items from stores and restaurants around. Good thing is, you can take a stroll after the picnic and enjoy the cool evening breeze.

Ride a horse
Most Nigerians are not huge on riding horses at the various beaches as they tend to automatically assume the horses are dirty and disease ridden. The case is however different at Jabi lake. The horses are not only well groomed; they have trainers who escort them round in search of patronizers. Have fun galloping around areas of the Jabi Lake and park…and do not forget to take pictures as they help preserve the fun memory.

  source: http://www.thenigerianvoice.com/news/205234/5-ways-to-have-fun-at-jabi-lake.html

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CALABAR: TINAPA RESORT

Tinapa is a business and leisure resort just north of Calabar, south eastern Nigeria associated with the Calabar Free Trade Zone. It is being developed in four phases under a Private Public Partnership (PPP) promoted by the Government of Cross River State. The resort is located by the Calabar River, contiguous with the Calabar Free Trade Zone.

Facilities

The Tinapa Free Zone & Resort has facilities for retail and wholesale activities as well as leisure and entertainment. For consumers, the resort has about 80,000 square metres (860,000 sq ft) of lettable space for retail and wholesale made up of four emporiums of 10,000 square metres (110,000 sq ft) each and smaller shops, warehouses, and so on. An entertainment strip contains a casino, digital cinema, children's arcade, restaurants, a mini amphitheater, a night club and pubs. There is an artificial tidal lake that feeds from the Calabar River, a Water Park / Leisure Land and parking Space for about 4,000 cars.

Business facilities include an open exhibition area for trade exhibitions and other events, and a movie production studio commonly called "Studio Tinapa" or "Nollywood". It is set to become the most modern film production studio in Nigeria. There is a 243 room international three star Hotel. The resort also has a truck terminal, and gets power from an independent power plant.

Project history

Tinapa was initiated by Governor Donald Duke as a way to boost business and tourism in the state. Over $350 million was spent on initial development. The first phase of Tinapa Business Resort & Free Zone, Calabar, was commissioned on the 2 April 2007. Tinapa is a 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) drive from Calabar by a roundabout route, but the Federal government is building a more direct 2.5 kilometres (1.6 mi) access road to link it with the city.



The legal status of the Tinapa Free Trade zone has been uncertain. It is owned by the Cross River state government, but only the Federal government can operate a free trade zone. Governor Liyel Imoke appealed to the Federal Government to take a stake in the project, and to remove uncertainty about its status which is hindering investment. He suggested that one approach could be to decouple the leisure facilities from the trading zone. A February 2008 report by ThisDay newspaper said the Federal Government had not yet approved the operating procedures and guidelines. The resort was almost deserted. The few shops that were staffed would not sell their goods out of concern that customs officials would then force them to close.  A CNN report in 2010 showed that the complex was still largely empty, while interest payments on the construction cost of the complex were rising. Liyel Imoke told the CNN reporter that the state government was looking for private sector investors who could run the project more efficiently.






A March 2010 report in the Daily Champion was optimistic. The report acknowledged that the project had suffered from bureaucratic delays, that there had been rumors of corruption and project abandonment, with key infrastructure incomplete. However, the report said that 90% of infrastructure and facilities were now ready, and that shops were now selling duty-free goods. It also claimed that the resort was increasingly being used for business and government functions, as planned. In September 2010 Imoke said the government was focusing on resuscitating the Tinapa Business and Leisure Resort. A May 2011 report from the Daily Trust was entitled "Tinapa is dying". It said most of the shops had closed, and the other facilities such as the exhibition space and movie studio had not been used for a long time. The hotel was open but had hardly any guests. Only the water park was busy, since the reporter had visited during a school holiday.

WE CAN PLAN YOUR TRIP TO TINAPA RESORT. CONTACT US 08135146188 (CHRISAGE TOUR)

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Ogbono Soup: The Making Of Tasty And Nutritious Nigerian Soup

Just like Egusi, Ogbono soup – also called agbono soup – is thoroughly enjoyed by almost all Nigerians.
It is particularly favourite amongst the Igbos in the eastern Nigeria to whom this superb soup is deemed incomplete without the addition of stockfish.
The Nigerian culture is rich and diverse in many ways; this country is made up of different tribes that have their different food and cooking styles.
But for the purpose of this article we will concentrate on the three predominant tribes and their food, talking about the Hausas, Igbos and the Yorubas.
However, the beauty of Nigerian food vis-à-vis the tribes is not just cooking and eating alone, but the nutritional benefits found in the different food eaten.
Take for instance, there are certain foods recommended and cooked for a pregnant woman and another for a new mother and so on.
In this segment we will be focusing on Ogbono soup, a popular food eaten amongst the Igbo tribe, the health benefit, the cooking method and the disadvantages of eating too much of it.
Ogbono is the seed of African mango or wild bush mango otherwise known as Irvingia Gabonensis and is found commonly in West Africa.
Their high content of mucilage enables them to be used as thickening agent for dishes such as Ogbono soup.
Ogbono is usually eaten as an accompaniment with eba, fufu, pounded yam and amala; all these are major staple foods made from yam and cassava flakes in Nigeria.
Ogbono soup is not difficult to make and the ingredients can readily be purchased in the local market.
However it’s important to note that the seeds when blended into powdered form, loses its taste, flavour and thickness over time.
It’s therefore advisable to blend the portion or quantity that is required to cook each time.

• Ogbono Soup Ingredients
• Preparation Method
• Gallery

• Ogbono seed (milled into powdered form)
• Beef or goat meat
• Dried fish
• Crayfish
• Dried Haddock (pre-soaked in water)
• Dried pepper (milled)
• Locust beans (a local spice)
• Palm oil
• Vegetable (optional)

Start by washing your meat and season it with salt and Oxo, Knorr or Maggi cubes. Avoid using onion or curry when boiling your meat as it affects negatively the overall outcome and taste of the soup.
One of the major characteristics of this soup is the sticky-thick consistency and using onion causes it to lose its density.
Boil your meat until tender and add your already washed dried fish, haddock and your milled pepper, crayfish and locust beans.
Bring to boil for about 20 minutes and add palm oil (let it boil for another 5 minutes).
In a separate pot, add palm oil and let it be hot, add milled Ogbono to soften it and mix thoroughly in the meat pot.
Leave to boil for 5 minutes more and add washed cut vegetables, stir thoroughly and leave it to cook for 2 minutes.
Then, you are done and ready to go!

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Jos city travel guide

Jos was established in 1915 as a tin transportation camp and its early history was closely linked to the prosperity of the mining industry.
With a population of about 1,000,000, Jos remains one of the most cosmopolitan cities in Nigeria.
It is adjudged the “home of peace” or as the safest city to live in Nigeria. Situated at the northern edge of a pear-shaped upland known as the Jos Plateau.
This upland stretches for approximately 104km. from north to south, and 80km from east to west covering an area of about 8,600km2 or 860,000 hectares.
Characterised by impressive ridges and isolated rocky hills separated by extensive plains, the Plateau exhibits a variety of land forms which provide excellent picnic resorts.
Several rivers and hillocks are interspersed among the highlands giving the landscape a striking scenery.
It maintains an average height of 1,200m (4,000ft) above sea level, and reaches its highest peak in the Shere Hills where it stands at 1,766m (5,829ft).
Another remarkable feature of the Jos Plateau is the clusters of hamlets and villages, which lend colour and beauty to the landscape.

Public Notice:

Due to the recent violent attacks in Jos and some other part of northern Nigeria cities/towns, visitors are advised not to travel up north for safety purpose. Please wait until you are told to do so by the Nigerian security agency.

• Attractions
• Eating Out
• Shopping
• Hotels
• Gallery

Shere Hills
This is one of Plateau’s highest peaks and most rugged, and offers unrivalled opportunities to the mountain climbers and lovers of adventure. It is about 10 kilometres to the East of Jos. The hills serve as a camping spot to the Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre.

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Wase Rock
Its remarkable inselberg rising abruptly 250 metres above the plain of Wase town. A notable topographic feature of 800-foot- (250-metre-) high hill, rises sharply above the savanna. It is a rock climber’s heaven.

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Rayfield Holiday Resort, Jos
The resort is located 4km from Jos city. A fantastic scenic environment that offers tourists endless fun of boating, swimming, sun bathing, horse riding, sport fishing and indoor games. For a day out or a weekend get away, the resort has what it takes for your leisure and tranquility. Bar and restaurant facilities are available between 10.00am-7.00 pm daily.

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Riyom Rock Formation
Located 25 kilometers from Jos along the Jos-Akwanga road is one of nature’s most spectacular rock formations-the Riyom Rock, so called because it is located in the Riyom Town. Nature had carved out the geographical boundaries of Plateau State in the rock long before the state was even created.

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Kurra Falls
This resulted from the activities of tin mining in the area. Kurra Falls is used by Nigerian Electricity Supply Company (NESCO) to generate electricity power for a large number of communities in the area.

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Assop FallsThe site is an area of Guinea Savanna on the slopes and top of a mid-altitude ridge of the Jos Plateau, beside the Jos-Kagoro road, about 70 km from Jos. The vegetation comprises gallery forests sorrounded by grasslands. The Assop river, which feeds the picturesque rapids and falls, drains part of the Jos Plateau.

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Museum of Nigeria Traditional Architecture (MOTNA)
This is erected on the same site with the National Museum Complex. Here are found the collection of traditional architecture.

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Kurang Volcanic Mountain
These highlands are washed by fetching springs which supply the popular spring water (SWAN) with natural spring water. It is located about 88 Kilometres away from Jos.

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Solomon Lar Amusement Park, Jos
Located right in the heart of the capital city of Jos, this park provides a place for many occasions. It has been used by movie makers and newly weds for receptions and other fun activities. It is a good site for picnics and recreation.

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Panyam Fish Farm
This is located in Mangu local government area about 60 kilometres South-East of Jos. The farm is ideal for sports fishing. It is man-made and its products are sold at subsidized price.

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Jos Wildlife Park
Unique for its rare and exotic collection of animals, the park picnic areas are provided in the pine forest and the Vongnifwel Hill, 1,345 metres above sea level being the highest point east of Jos.

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Jos Museum Complex
Jos museum is Nigeria’s first museum and it is situated at the foot of a tree covered granites mountains named Coronation Hill. It has accumulation of Terra Cotta Sculptures of Nok Culture as its most distinguished features.

credit: cometonigeria.com

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Kamuku National Park

Kamuku National Park has a total land area of 1121sqkm of typical savanna woodland vegetation and a wide variety of birds and other animals like elephants, antelopes, oribi, waterbuck, wet cat, green monkey, side stripped hyena and jackal.
Located in Birnin Gwari, Kaduna State, Kamuku National Park is also a home to the Secretary Bird (Sagittarius serpentarius), Denhams Bustard (Neotis denhami) and Abyssinian Ground Hornbill (Bucorvus abyssinicus).
The terrain is largely flat, rising gradually eastwards to the Birnin Gwari Ridge, which forms part of the eastern boundary. The park has Guinea Savanna vegetation with, in places, some transitional Sudan Savanna elements. Dominant tree species of the park include Isoberlinia doka, Terminalia avicennioides and Detarium macrocarpum.
Also common are Danellia oliveri, Nauclea latifolia, Acacia spp., Lophira lanceolata, Parkia biglobosa, Prosopis africana and Isoberlinia tomentosa. Elaeis guineensis is common in riparian forests that line small, seasonal rivers. Together with the forest reserves in this area the park represents one of the best remaining blocks of Sudan–Guinea Savanna vegetation in the country’s protected-area system.
The park has an average annual rainfall of 1,250mm with average temperature of 300C. It has two seasons, the dry season which starts from November to April and raining season from May to November. The hottest months are March and April, while the coldest month is December and January during the harmattan period when temperature drops to the freezing point in the evening and morning.

• Features
• Gallery
• Location

Dogon Ruwa Waterfall: This is one of the major natural features at Kamuku National Park and it is located at the Northern end of the park, along Birnin Gwari-Funtua Road. The fall takes its source from two water bodies – one from Birnin Gwari and the other from old Gugama stream. The two sources joined at Kurazo village and flow directly to the park. The fall is scenic and usually very attractive during dry season. It is normally used by tourist for camping, educational purpose and other water sports such as diving, fishing, canoeing etc.

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Mai’lawa Dam: Another natural feature of note is the Mai’lawa Dam, which is located approximately at the center of the park. The dam flows from Kufaki streams also found within the park. It is the main water body that holds water for the animal all year round, and also serves as a centre of attraction because of the high concentration of animals, most especially, during the dry season. Reptiles such as crocodiles are easily sighted within the area.

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Museum: The park’s museum is where objects of artistic, cultural, historical and scientific interests are kept for public viewing. It has wildlife trophies, collection of animal specimen such as skin, legs and head of roan antelope, bush buck, ostrich and elephant. The natural history of the animals is also on display which made it educational and very informative.

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Guest House:
Kamuku National Park also has a guest house known as Kada Motel which are meant for tourist accommodation and relaxation. Kada motel also provides standard catering services for visitors and the residents of Birnin Gwari at large.

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Fauna & Flora: Another major attractions at Kamuku National Park are the fauna and flora of the park. Animals such as elephant serves as a major attraction for the tourists. There is also a large population of duiker, which are commonly sighted in the park couple with 177 documented species of birds (both residents and inter African migrants and several species of reptiles).
Also, the park has other animals such as buffalo, bubal hartebeest, anubis baboon, tantalus monkey, lion, leopard, hippopotamus, roan antelope, kob and warthog, etc. It is also associated with some rich cultural features, some of which are sacred like the old Parnomo shrine, scenic hills, rock outcrops, perennial streams etc.

credit cometonigeria.com

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TRAVEL TIPS: Top Travel Apps You Should Know.

Mobile technology has revolutionized traveling. Traveling through the
world has completely changed with today's technology, and we're here
to help you with insider tips on which apps are a must have!

There are more apps and websites than ever to help you plan and
organize your trips. I'd like to share with you some general thoughts
on apps, and my favorites.

Local Transportation:
Many major cities across Europe have their very own app with an
offline map, metro and bus routes and even live schedules. Wherever
you find yourself, it's very likely there's one available for free or
as little as a dollar, so check them out!
( Android)

TripIt:
is a free software that lets you organize your flight travel. Ever
show up at the airport, and they ask for some long-lost booking number
or confirmation code? This takes care of that and organizes all the
information you'll ever need about your travel plans in one convenient
app. As soon as you get the confirmation email from whatever airline
you book on, forward that email to plans@tripit.com, and it
automatically populates all the crucial information from terminal and
airline to departure/arrival times. It even keeps track of your
various airline rewards programs.
( Android/ Apple)

Currency:
lets you keep track of fluctuating conversion rates throughout your
semester so you know exactly how much that fancy dinner equated to in
US dollars.
( Android/ Apple)

Word Lens:
exhibits an incredible technology that recognizes and translates
letters visually in real time on screen into whatever language you
designate (that's the idea at least). They've added a load of
languages recently including Spanish, French, Italian, German,
Portugese and more.
( Android/ Apple)

Mint.com:
is a great way to budget while abroad, and it also lets you keep track
of your balances while on the fly. You can even set up alerts for when
your balance drops below a certain threshold to avoid overdraft fees.
( Android/ Apple)

Kayak:
is well-executed cheap flight search engine. I'm still a bit old
fashioned in that I don't purchase my flights directly on the phone,
but it does let me do a quick comparison of whatever flights available
within my search criteria. I'll then bust out my computer if I see a
price worth jumping on.
( Android/ Apple)

iRail:
lets you search the Eurail database for train timetables. Much like a
flight search engine, it lets you prioritize by number of stops and it
also routes you on a visual map so you can compare your most direct
options. Still a little buggy, I'm hoping that the app will come in to
its full potential with new updates.
( Android/ Apple)

HostelWorld.com:
This mobile app has come a long way in the last few years. It's easy
to research and book hostels directly on your phone, just as easy as
you would on a desktop.
( Android/ Apple)

Text+:
allows you to utilize wifi networks to send texts to your friends back
at home. Free for you and free for them.
( Android/ Apple)

Runtastic:
does a great job of helping you map out your runs in unfamiliar cities.
( Android/ Apple)

Weekend Student Adventures:
helps you find some of the best kept secrets in cities across Europe
by giving itinerary suggestions and recommendations for sights,
restaurants, hostels, nightlife and more.
( Apple)

Pin Drop - Map Places:
You can pin interesting locations you want to save, and add notes,
tags, share, collaborate with your friends. So if you go out, take
photos or scouting and end up forgetting locations, you have now an
app to mark the spots.
( Android/ Apple)

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