Nigeria Travel Guide: All you need to know to visit Nigeria in 2023

The country is blessed with rich culture, history, and natural beauty. It has a lot of tourist attractions like the world's largest waterfalls, beautiful beaches, historical cities, wildlife parks, and many more. The country also offers excellent opportunities for adventure sports like trekking, mountain biking, rafting, etc.

In this ultimate Nigeria travel guide, you will find important information to plan your trip.

Document checklist for Nigeria

• Visa
• Health Declaration
• Valid passport
• Sufficient funds
• Return airline ticket

Essential Nigeria travel information

Simple, bulleted practical information according to the following structure:

• Currency - Naira (NGN). USD 1 is equivalent to approx. NGN 0,0023

• Daily budget for 1 person - NGN 12,115 (USD 28) per day on your vacation in Nigeria.

• Languages - English is the official language. And Hausa, Igbo, and Yoruba are national languages.

• Socket type - Nigeria has two associated plug types. Nigeria operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz.

• Time zone - West Africa Standard time zone in Nigeria (GMT+1)

• Top 3 cities to visit - Abuja, Calabar, and Lagos.

• Top 3 landmarks/monuments - Zuma Rock, Wikki Warm Spring, and Gurara Waterfall, Niger.

Visa information for Nigeria

Right now, we don't offer the process for a Visa to Nigeria. However, we offer the Nigeria Health Declaration Form, which is crucial to enter Nigeria.

Nigeria Health Declaration explained

The Nigeria Health Declaration Form is an obligatory document the Nigerian authorities ask for when you arrive. This document helps them control and prevent the spread of Covid 19.

The document is valid for 30 days after arrival and only for Single Entry. In case you decide to leave the country and enter again, you'll have to apply for a new one.

Typical costs and budget for Nigeria

The following is a guide to help you budget for your daily expenses in Nigeria.

Daily spending per person - For a daily budget, it is NGN 12,115 (USD 28)

• Meals - For meals, you will spend NGN 1,531 (USD 3.50) per day
• Transport - For local transport, NGN 856 (USD 1.96)
• Hotel - The average hotel price in Nigeria for one person is NGN 5,245 (USD 12,10) and for a couple is NGN 10,489 (USD 24)

A weeklong vacation to Nigeria usually costs around NGN 84,807 for one person. So, a trip to Nigeria for two people costs around NGN 169,614 per week.

Transport and ways to travel around Nigeria

Traveling within Nigeria is easy as you have various transport options depending on how much you want to spend on them. For example, buses and trains are more economical transportation methods that are very popular among locals. These services can be found within the city or for long-distance travel.

Suppose you want to avoid public transportation but want something more private. In that case, you can rent a minivan with an assigned driver.This will take you where you need it. It can be arranged with the hotel where you will stay so that it will be more reliable.

There is also another option to travel between cities, and that is to share a taxi with other people who are traveling to the same destination as you.

Safety in Nigeria

Nigeria is a country that strives to reduce its high-risk rates for travelers. Still, the risk of violence can be significantly minimized by taking certain precautions.

You should consider the travel risks you may encounter at this destination. The good news is that you shouldn't worry about it as long as you follow these tips to avoid any problems.

Travel advice:

• Terrorist groups are likely to attempt attacks in Nigeria. Avoid the north and northeast of Nigeria because they are targets to these attacks. The threats come from the terrorist group Boko Haram.

• Stay alert throughout your trip. Armed robberies are possible in rural areas.

• Take care of your belongings all the time. Pay careful attention to your environment.

• Read about the local laws. This is critical to understand the security situation in Nigeria better.

• Always follow local news to stay informed about how the country is doing. This is the best to be up to date.

• Travel in the company of at least one person. If you are a woman, try never to be alone.

• Avoid offending local sensitivities.

• Have comprehensive international insurance. If you are sick and need medical care.

Weather in Nigeria

The rainy season begins in April and lasts until November; the dry season is from November to March. The best time to visit Nigeria would be between November and February when the climate is dry and the air less humid. August, June, and July are the most humid, with heavy rains.

During the peak of the warmer months, temperatures in Abuja, one of the major cities, can rise to a maximum of around 41 °C/105.8 °F. The coldest winter in Abuja is approximately 18 °C/64.4 °F. Temperatures often differ elsewhere in Nigeria, so keep reading if you plan to visit other places.

Stay alert when you choose the season for your trip to Nigeria.

Popular cities and towns in Nigeria

From luxurious hotels to pristine beaches, you'll find plenty of travel destinations in Nigeria.

• Abuja is the capital of Nigeria, one of the most beautiful African cities. Here you will find luxury hotels, shopping centers, and landscapes that will steal your breath. You can also see the government buildings.

• Calabar is one of the most fun cities in Nigeria due to its local communities, which are friendly and cheerful. If you like adventure, this is the perfect place for hiking. You can try the local cuisine and enjoy the scenic landscapes.

• Lagos is the largest city in Africa. Lagos has cultural, gastronomic, and nightlife diversity. You can enjoy excellent beaches such as Elegushi beach, Oniru Beach, and Tarkwa Bay, among others.

• Kaduna is one of the most beautiful cities in Nigeria and an influential commercial and transportation center for agricultural products due to its roads and railways. Besides, you have places full of history, like Emir de Zazzau, Kajuru Castle, Kaduna Museum, and Matsirga Waterfall, among others.

• Uyo is in the southern part of the country and has been advancing in its development in the last decade. Here you will find the finest 5-star hotels, plus the National Museum of Colonial History.

Must do and see in Nigeria

When you travel to Nigeria, make sure you don't miss out on these fantastic places.

1. Zuma Rock is a giant natural monolith in Abuja. Its grandeur rises to approximately 300 meters (984.25 feet) above its surroundings.

2. Wikki Warm Spring is a natural warm spring, perfect for relaxing while admiring nature. Wikki Warm Spring is 1.9 meters (6.23 feet) deep, 13 meters (42.65 feet) wide, and has a constant temperature of 31 °C/87.8 °F.

3. Gurara Waterfall, Niger State- The wonderful waterfall of Gurara extends 200 meters (656.17 feet) wide with a fall of about 30 meters (98.4 feet). Something you should see if you're in Nigeria, quite a masterpiece of nature.

4. Freedom Park- Designed by Theo Lawson, it is a memorial park in downtown Lagos. Built to preserve the cultural history of Nigerians, it displays the colonial legacy of the lakes and the history of Her Majesty's Broad Street Prison.

5. Agbokim Waterfall- This waterfall is rich in flora and fauna. The lush vegetation of the valleys and steep hills will surprise you.

During the rainy season, when the waterfall is in full bloom, it produces a beautiful mixture of rainbow colors that makes the landscape even more attractive, full of colors.

Typical Nigerian food to try

• Puff-Puff - It is a lovely meal made from flour, sugar, butter, baking powder, and vegetable oil. It is usually eaten as an appetizer.

• Chin Chin - A fried food and a popular party appetizer. It is composed of a sweet and crunchy flavor with a base of flour, sugar, vegetable oil, butter, and other ingredients.

• Jollof Rice - It is a popular dish in West Africa. Its ingredients are rice, tomato, and pepper. It is also decorated with carrots, onions, prawns, and green peas. This is a traditional dish that you should try when you are in Nigeria.

Vaccine information for Nigeria

Before traveling to Nigeria, check the requirements for Covid 19, the necessary medical facilities, and other vaccines such as Yellow Fever. You can visit the CDC website to find all the essential information.

Over 500 indigenous languages are spoken in Nigeria

You already know that English is the official language. However, in rural areas, the Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, Fulfulde, Ibibio, Kanuri, and Tiv languages have been widely used along with the Nigerian, Hausa, and Bura sign languages. Apart from these, there are another 500 indigenous languages in Nigeria, which makes their ethnic groups distinct and diverse.

Fun Facts About Nigeria

The facts below will allow you to learn more about your host country. Let's go on a fun fact adventure!

The home of the oldest dye in Africa. Kofar Mata Dye Pit in Kano was established in 1498 and is the oldest in Africa. This process continues to preserve its tradition and is taught from generation to generation.

As a fairy tale, Nigeria is famous for its beautiful and diverse butterflies. Currently, there are more than 1000 documented species of butterflies.

A unique Nigerian positive spirit. Nigerians are known for being intelligent and hardworking, in addition to always having an attitude of "being able to do" and "never saying never," which gives the plus for that friendly spirit.

Nigeria is the largest oil and gas producer in Africa. It has large reserves of natural gas and oil throughout the African continent.