Eight Top Tourist Attractions In Cross River –  That You Do Not Know Exist

When you think of states that have endless tourist attractions in Nigeria, you agree that Cross River, Calabar, is one of those states.

The tourist attractions are just endless, from the Calabar carnival, which is known around the world, to Obudu Mountain resort, and other beautiful attractions that make Calabar a place of adventure, history, cultural heritage and tourism.

When you visit the National Museum Calabar, you cannot afford not to have a handful of information about the slave trade and colonisation of our country, Nigeria.  There is a lot to discover in this beautiful city, and you just need to grab your camera.

Here Are The Eight Top Tourist Attractions In Cross River  That You Do Not Know Exist

They include the following

1. Cross River National Park
2. Kwa Falls
3. Tinapa Resort
4. National Museum Calabar
5. Pandrillus Nigerian Drill Ranch
6. Calabar Carnival
7. Obudu Mountain Resort
8. Agbokim Waterfalls

Let’s get to know the interesting things to find in these eight top tourist attractions in Cross River that you do not know exist.                                     

1. Cross River National Park

The Cross River National Park is located in Cross River State, Calabar, Nigeria. It is a national park in Nigeria that has two sections: Okwangwo, established in 1991, and Oban, established in 1988.

 Here are some interesting things to know about the Cross River National Park

• The park covers a total area of 4ooo kilometres, some parts of it consist of tropical rainforest in the north and central parts, with mangrove swamps in the coastal zones.
• Cross River National Park borders Korup National Park in Cameroon, and it is the largest rainforest area in Nigeria, which has one of the oldest rainforests in Africa.
• The park is a hotspot for diversity.
• The park features numerous plants with medicinal properties, a nature trail for early morning walks, and a stream as well.
• Cross River National Park is home to almost extinct animals, plants and faunas like the drill monkey, red fox, leopards, which cannot live where humans live.

2. Kwa Falls

Kwa Falls is another tourist attraction in Cross River, Nigeria. It is located at Aningeje village, Akamkpa Local Government Area, Cross River, Nigeria. It is about 25 kilometres north of Calabar along Ikot Offiong Eking road.

The Kwa Falls forms part of the Kwa River, which flows through the Oban Division of the Calabar River National Park.

The waterfall features 234 well-laid steps that lead downwards to the fall. The water flows gracefully over ancient igneous rocks,  surrounded by a vibrant tropical rain forest  and a mangrove ecosystem rich in mahogany, ebony, and spruce trees.

Kwa Falls serves multiple purposes for people. More than a visual marvel, the tourist attraction is also a hub for outdoor activities.

Tourists visit the falls from time to time for hiking, swimming, picnicking, and photography, especially during the dry season when the area is more accessible.  It is one of the adventurous places to visit in Cross River.

3. Tinapa Resort

Tinapa Resort is a tourist attraction in Cross River, used for both business and leisure purposes. The resort is located near Calabar River, Calabar, Nigeria,  along the Calabar River, and it is adjacent to the Calabar Free Trade Zone.

 The resort was developed in four phases through a public-private partnership (PPP) led by the Cross River state government. During this development, the resort was envisioned as a hub for commerce and tourism.

Tinapa resort features a water park, artificial tidal lake, digital cinema, casino, children’s arcade, restaurants, a mini amphitheatre, nightclub, and pubs.

It also features a 243-room international three-star hotel, Tinapa Lakeside Hotel, a trade exhibition space, Tinapa Studios, a truck terminal, and an independent power plant.

The spot is a good place to relax and unwind.

4. National Museum Calabar

The National Museum in Calabar is a significant tourist attraction in Cross River, Nigeria.  The museum reveals the colonial and slve trade history.

It was established in 1959. The museum occupies the building originally built in Britain in 1884, then shipped in bits and assembled in Nigeria.

 It was initially the residence and administrative office of the former British colonial officials.

The National Museum in Calabar features 

• a rich collection of artefacts and exhibits.
• The ground floor is dedicated to the transatlantic slave trade, displaying illustrations of slave markets, ships, and colonial-era documents.
• The upper floor houses notable relics such as an 1885 organ, a gramophone, and other archaeological pieces.
• Outside the building, a ship bell dated 1848 stands on the lawn
• The opening hours of the museum are between 9 am and 5 pm every day, except for Sundays when it opens at 10 am. The entry fee is 500 naira, and guided tours are included.

Historians of art and culture visit here often

5. Pandrillus Nigerian Drill Ranch

Pandrillus Nigerian drill ranch is another tourist attraction in Cross River that is dedicated to the protection and preservation of the highly endangered drill monkeys. 

It is a conservation facility that was established by a Nigerian registered non-profit trust, and the ranch implements different conservation strategies, including habitat protection, captive breeding, research, training, and community education programs that aim to promote wildlife conservation.

The Pandrillus Nigerian drill ranch is located at Atekon, Cross River State, Nigeria.

6. Calabar Carnival

Calabar carnival is one of the best carnivals in Nigeria and in Africa. It is my favourite tourist attraction in Cross River. The carnival is popularly known as Africa’s largest street party, which is held every December in Cross River, Nigeria.

 The annual cultural festival was originally launched for Christmas celebration; however, the Calabar festival evolved into an event that is recognised globally and attended by people from over 25 countries around the world.

The Calabar carnival was introduced during the administration of Governor Ayade Benedict. It was initially a one-month celebration that was later reduced to two weeks.

The Calabar carnival features energetic parades, colourful costumes, traditional dances with Brazilian samba influences  and afrobeat music, boat regattas, choir competitions, beauty contests, and a special Christmas tree lighting ceremony at Millennium Park

In 2024, the festival was streamed live through a digital platform to enable global audiences and the Nigerian diaspora to join the festival from their location, and it ran for 32 days.

7. The Obudu Mountain Resort

The Obudu Mountain Resort, which was formerly known as the Obudu Cattle Ranch, is a ranch and resort located on the Obudu Plateau in Cross River, Nigeria.

The ranch was developed in 1951 by M. McCaughley. The resort is very close to the Cameroon border in the northeastern part of Cross River State,

The resort features accommodations like chalets, regular rooms, presidential suites, huts and executive rooms.

8. Agbokim Waterfalls

Agbokim Waterfalls is another tourist attraction in Rivers State, Nigeria. It is located in Etung Local Government Area of Cross River State, in Nigeria’s South-South (Niger Delta) region, near the country’s border with Cameroon.

The falls lie approximately 25 kilometres from Ikom and about 240 kilometres from Calabar.

The waterfall consists of seven distinct streams that cascade down a steep cliff into a lush tropical rainforest, which makes the site unforgettable. It is one of the notable tourist attractions in Cross River State.

Conclusion

You don’t really need to be a historian, adventure seeker, culture explorer or a tourist to fall in with the beautiful tourist centres in Calabar.  You know what, naturally,y you will love it because I fell in love with the Calabar carnival, it’s actually my favourite.

Every year, I anticipate the festival, and the best part is that it is celebrated for weeks, and people attend from different countries around the world.

Next time you visit Cross River, don’t forget to grab your camera and have fun.