From the savannah of the north to the rainforests and the Atlantic coast of the south, Nigeria offers a wide range of landscapes, historic sites and lively cities. Here are some of the places that draw visitors.
UNESCO World Heritage sites
Sukur Cultural Landscape
Inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1999, the Sukur Cultural Landscape lies in the Mandara Mountains of Adamawa State, near the border with Cameroon. The hilltop palace of the Hidi, the terraced fields and the stone paving of the settlement bear witness to a society and a culture that have continued for centuries.
Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove
Inscribed in 2005, the Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove on the outskirts of Osogbo, in Osun State, is one of the last areas of primary high forest in southern Nigeria. The grove, dedicated to Osun, the Yoruba goddess of fertility, is dotted with shrines and sculptures, and it is the setting of the annual Osun-Osogbo festival.
Nature and wildlife
Nigeria has a network of national parks and game reserves that protect savannah, mountain and forest ecosystems. Yankari Game Reserve in Bauchi State is known for its wildlife and the warm springs of Wikki. Gashaka-Gumti National Park, in Taraba and Adamawa States, covers mountain forests and grasslands along the border with Cameroon. In the south-east, Cross River National Park protects some of the country's richest rainforests, and the Obudu plateau, in Cross River State, offers a cooler mountain climate.
Some striking natural landmarks are close to the main cities: Zuma Rock rises beside the road from Abuja to Kaduna, and Olumo Rock overlooks the city of Abeokuta in Ogun State.
Cities
Abuja, the federal capital, is a planned city built around the Three Arms Zone, the National Mosque and the National Christian Centre. Lagos is Nigeria's commercial capital and the heart of its music, fashion and film industries. Kano, one of the oldest cities of West Africa, is known for its historic walls, its markets and its dye pits. Benin City is the seat of the Oba of Benin and the home of the guild of bronze casters whose work is famous around the world. Calabar, on the Cross River estuary, hosts a carnival every December.
Festivals
Many of Nigeria's festivals are open to visitors and are among the best ways to discover the country. Several are recognised by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage, among them the Durbar in Kano, the Argungu international fishing and cultural festival in Kebbi State and the Sango festival in Oyo. Read more on the Culture page.
Before you travel, read the practical information and the travel advice.