I explored Northern Nigeria during the April Easter break and it still is one of the most memorable experiences I have had in 2019.

Since it was a Bourgie Travel tour, I was the resident Travel director and handled everything related to logistics. I also had the best travel buddies – Frank, Asia and Favour.



Day 1 Niger State – The Gurara Rush

The Gurara falls was our first stop on the trip. From the Abuja airport, we drove down to Niger state for about 2 hours or so. As we soon noticed, every state in Northern Nigeria is far. I wonder how some people visit their neighbours with ease.



Since it wasn’t rainy season at the time, the water pressure was not so high so we could walk really close to the waterfall. Our tour guide told us that when the rains come, it is almost impossible to walk near the waterfall. He led us to the bottom of the waterfall which had a somewhat slow-flowing river. We walked along the bank until we got to the top.

Day 2: Plateau State – Jos
Jos had a different vibe to it. It reminded me of Kano but it was more chill. We went straight to the Jos Wildlife Park before going to the Jos National Museum.

Guys, I have never seen animals in such terrible shape.

The first sign of decrepitness was the fact that there were no tour guides available, in a Wildlife Park! We managed to drive around the park and saw what was supposed to be a Spotted Hyena. Most of the spots were gone – it was in dire need of water and food. My heart sank.

Then we saw the elephant.



Not this one. Apparently, someone had probably poured a small bucket of water on him, so he a wet patch but the rest of the body was so dry. He had eyes as sad as someone who just lost a parent. Those eyes broke me so much so that I broke the rules and threw 2 avocados in. He ate them all. Seed, peel and butter.

We went on to the Ostrich pen and they were no better. You know that face birds make when they are really thirsty and patched. They could barely cluck or do whatever sounds ostriches make when they are happy.

JOS NATIONAL MUSEUM – GATE FEE 100 NAIRA
This museum is the second oldest museum after the Esie museum, near Ilorin, Kwara state. It started as a Federal Department of Antiquity, but was formally opened as a museum on April 26th, 1952. In terms of uniqueness, it is the only museum in the country that has a zoological garden attached to it.

In order to display the old Nigerian architecture, the Jos Museum has different kinds of recreated archaeological buildings from all parts of the countries. Most of those buildings are run down but we could see that made replicas of mosques, palaces, walls among others.

[img]https://www.jadesunfilteredlife.com/tourist-attractions-in-northern-nigeria/bourgie-travel-exploring-northern-nigeria-gurara-falls-yankari-reserve-wikki-warm-spring-jos-national-museum-145-2/[/img]

Day 3 – Bauchi State
Remember how I said Northern Nigeria is big, Bauchi state really tested that theory. We had one place to visit in this state – the famous Yankari Game Reserve so we headed out very early in the morning.

SAFARI AT YANKARI GAME RESERVE
The distance from the gate to the Yankari reserve itself is about 48km, that’s like a 30-45 minute drive at the recommended speed of 30km/her because of the animals crossing the road.

On our drive-in to the reserve, we saw baboons, squirrels and a few bucks. We knew better than to stop to say hi because as much as they looked so tame, the animals at the Yankari game reserve are in the actual wild; it’s not a zoo.



AN AFTERNOON AT THE WIKKI WARM SPRINGS
Let me tell you something about this natural pool. What you see in photos is what you see in real life. It is so blue and beautiful and the water is so warm, I wanted to stay there the whole day. Well, I kind of did because I came back at night for a few lazy strokes.

I have to say, nothing beats a late-night swim, save for a late-night swim in a warm spring (tongue out).



The next morning saw us make the long drive back to Abuja. We were meant to visit the Kajuru castle, but we had to retrace our steps and save that journey for another day.

To read more and see more photos: https://www.jadesunfilteredlife.com/tourist-attractions-in-northern-nigeria/

op, it's good you guys a promoting local tourism, but you and the other dude look quite alike

Lool! Look alike? I need to show him your comment. There is a need to promote local tourism, if only to help the people who serve in these areas.

darfay:
op, it's good you guys a promoting local tourism, but you and the other dude look quite alike

Interesting... But OP you guys should have stopped to say "hi" to the Yankari GR squirrels at least... with a few peanuts.

And maybe the wild baboons too.

Now this is the type of topic I will like to click to read more. I guess OP is skilled at giving readers just enough content to want more.

Tourism is dead in this country and I curse our leaders for it. Reading the Jos wildlife experience I already do not want to visit the location. The Yankari one seems fun. I may click the link another time but for now I am preoccupied.

Loooool! We stopped to say hi but they ran away, thanks for reading!

mansakhalifa:
Interesting... But OP you guys should have stopped to say "hi" to the Yankari GR squirrels at least... with a few peanuts.

And maybe the wild baboons too.

Thanks for reading!

meobizy:
Now this is the type of topic I will like to click to read more. I guess OP is skilled at giving readers just enough content to want more.

Tourism is dead in this country and I curse our leaders for it. Reading the Jos wildlife experience I already do not want to visit the location. The Yankari one seems fun. I may click the link another time but for now I am preoccupied.