If you are planning to fly into the Nigerian capital Abuja from the US, do bear in mind that from June this year Delta Airlines offers a flight directly from Atlanta. But if you fly in from elsewhere you'll have to catch a connecting flight from Lagos. Be aware though, that Abuja is notorious for some of the worst air accidents in history. Among the 'safer' local options would include Bellview, Virgin Nigeria, and AeroContractors. Again, for personal safety reasons you are best advised to board the Green Cab with people you are familiar with. You may take the bus into the city, of course, but at your own risk. Abuja, you might well know, is not the safest of places to be in. And yet, as soon as you leave the airport you'll be swept off your feet by the magical terrain, the somberly majestic African landscape.
The capital city of Nigeria is pretty hospitable offering up a range of five star luxury hotels to choose from.
If you wish to remain in the CBD you would be strongly advised to take up (temporary) residence at the Nicon Hilton Abuja. The guestrooms are quite spacious and well appointed and the lobby bar has a live band playing some pretty good music. The Nicon Hilton is one of those five star hotels in Abuja known for its good food. If you take the elevator up to the second floor you will find yourself in the Chinese restaurant which is one of the finest in Abuja. On a hot afternoon you can go for a swim at the pool and also take advantage of the African Bazaar displaying some real exotic stuff like leather, ivory, and paintings.
There are other five star hotels that offer hospitality of the best quality. One such luxury hotel that comes to mind rather easily is the Abuja Sheraton Hotel. This luxury hotel offers a sumptuous breakfast in its lush garden and offers the best interiors you can ever dream about! It also has a nice nightclub and bar. The staff is attentive and pretty helpful.
Other luxury five star hotels include the Protea Hotel Abuja, Le Meridien Abuja, and the Reiz Continental Abuja, to name just a few.
You can rent a car and drive out of the city. Do bear in mind, however, that traffic is erratic and the traffic lights pretty unreliable. As for the traffic itself, the word 'chaotic' probably describes it best. An hour's drive from Abuja will take you to the Gurara Water Falls which is a great picnic spot. The lush scenery and the gushing waters will leave you truly mesmerized.
And if you are driving towards Kaduna, another picturesque spot, you will come across the Zuma rock looming up like a mountain. It still needs to be developed in a touristy way, like the rest of Abuja which is waking up to its tremendous touristic potential. The Abuja Millennium Park, which is still under construction, is yet another place worth a visit.
To put it another way, this rugged little spot on earth is a 'raw' paradise.
No comments:
Post a Comment