Nigeria in 14 Days

This two-week route covers Nigeria’s capital, the rainforest and highlands of Cross River State and the old kingdoms of the southeast and Edo, then finishes on the Lagos coast. It suits travelers who want nature and culture in equal measure and don’t mind a few full days on the road. The pace is balanced: most stops get two or three nights, and no two long drives fall on consecutive days. You’ll need domestic flights for the opening and closing legs, plus hired cars with drivers or intercity buses between Calabar, Obudu, Enugu and Benin City.

Days 1-2: Abuja

Start in Abuja, the calmest arrival point in the country, with wide roads and far less chaos than Lagos. Spend your full day on its landmarks. Aso Rock towers about 400 meters over the presidential district; you can’t climb it, but the views from the city’s parks are dramatic, particularly at dusk. The golden-domed National Mosque admits respectful visitors outside prayer times, and the Abuja Arts and Crafts Village is the place to pick … read more 👉

This two-week route covers Nigeria’s capital, the rainforest and highlands of Cross River State and the old kingdoms of the southeast and Edo, then finishes on the Lagos coast. It suits travelers who want nature and culture in equal measure and don’t mind a few full days on the road. The pace is balanced: most stops get two or three nights, and no two long drives fall on consecutive days. You’ll need domestic flights for the opening and closing legs, plus hired cars with drivers or intercity buses between Calabar, Obudu, Enugu and Benin City.

Days 1-2: Abuja

Start in Abuja, the calmest arrival point in the country, with wide roads and far less chaos than Lagos. Spend your full day on its landmarks. Aso Rock towers about 400 meters over the presidential district; you can’t climb it, but the views from the city’s parks are dramatic, particularly at dusk. The golden-domed National Mosque admits respectful visitors outside prayer times, and the Abuja Arts and Crafts Village is the place to pick up carvings, leatherwork and fabric from across the north before the route turns south.

Days 3-5: Calabar

Fly to Calabar, a tidy, green river city with a reputation for the best food in Nigeria. Order edikang ikong, the thick leafy soup of the Efik people, and afang at a local canteen. Three nights give you time to explore the waterfront and old colonial streets at an easy pace before heading inland. In December, the city’s month-long carnival takes over the streets, so book rooms far in advance if you’re here then.

Days 6-8: Afi Mountain and Obudu

Break the long journey north with a night at Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary, where a conservation project runs a canopy walkway through primary forest and works to protect drills and chimpanzees. Waking up here, with mist sitting in the valley, is one of the best mornings in southern Nigeria. The next day continue to Obudu Mountain Resort, on a plateau at roughly 1,600 meters near the Cameroon border. After a week of coastal heat, the cool air and grassy ridges come as a shock. Walk the trails to the waterfalls, and ride the cable car if it’s operating. Two nights let you rest before the next drive.

Days 9-10: Enugu

The road to Enugu takes roughly 5 to 6 hours. The former coal-mining city sits among green hills and has a relaxed, student feel. Spend Day 10 at Awhum Waterfall, about 30 to 40 minutes away, where a stream drops over a rock face into a grotto, and the adjoining Awhum Monastery, a Catholic community whose monks welcome quiet visitors. Pilgrims come to the falls for prayer, so keep your voice down near the water.

Days 11-12: Ogbunike Caves and Benin City

On Day 11, stop at the Ogbunike Caves near Onitsha on your way west. A long flight of stone steps descends into a forested valley, and you remove your shoes before entering the tunnels, which are sacred and home to bats. Cross the Niger and continue to Benin City, about 2.5 to 3 hours further. Spend the next day at the Benin City National Museum, whose bronze plaques and ivory work give you a sense of the kingdom’s scale before 1897, then walk to the casters’ workshops on Igun Street to watch the craft still being practiced.

Days 13-14: Lagos

Take the short flight to Lagos rather than the 5 to 6 hour drive. With just one evening, stay on Victoria Island and head to Terra Kulture, an arts center with a good Nigerian restaurant, a bookshop and stage plays on weekends. It’s a gentle introduction to the city’s creative scene before your flight home on Day 14.

If you have one more day in Cross River, detour to the Ikom monoliths, carved stone figures standing in village clearings near the Cameroon border, their markings still undeciphered.