Many who have worked or lived in Abuja have found the city difficult,
boring, and frustrating. Well, yes, it is all of that, but if you have
to live in Abuja, there are actually many things to see and do, if you
don’t mind facing some danger and frustrations. I like Abuja, but I like
Africa in general. If you decide never to leave the city, there are
also options: only bowling alley in West Africa, best golfing outside
South Africa, and pool bars at many hotels to sun yourself or drink
yourself silly.
The 20 Best in Places and Activities in and around Abuja (in my opinion):
1.)
IBB Golf Course. I was a member, and recommend becoming a member to
anyone living in Abuja (about US 2K to join then annual membership of
about US 700 for unlimited golf). The course has 18 beautiful holes
(long front 9 and challenging back 9). Great driving range, short game
area, and great terrace with the best view in Abuja. The food is so-so,
but the drinks are cheap and you could sit on the terrace for hours with
friends (did many times). The Sunday brunch is nice. There are two
tennis courts, golf pros, great caddies, and a really nice atmosphere.
2.)
The Hilton pool, gym, and Fulani Bar (largest hotel in Africa). The
Hilton is a nice place, not world class, but good for Nigeria. The pool
is a great place for kids (kiddie pool, and water toys in big pool). You
can do laps in the morning. The gym there is good, with cardio and
weights. If you join (about US 700 a year for the family) the gym, you
can use the pool, squash courts, tennis, and volleyball. The Fulani bar
has passable food and has poolside service; great festive Sunday
atmosphere.
3.) The Mediterranean Hotel (near ECOWAS). This is a
nice place for the younger crowd and for fun. Abuja’s only swim-up bar
with strong drinks. The restaurants are pleasant and the nightclub has
one of Abuja’s better sound system and ambiance. The hotel does a great
outdoor BBQ on weekends. Rooms are nice and safe. Close to Cherry’s II
bakery for sweets and bread.
4.) The Hash House Harriers
Run/Walk. Every other week on Saturday afternoon, meeting at the Hilton
parking lot (check in the Hilton gym for announcement or ask an expat).
The Hash House Harriers are often the best place to meet people in
foreign places. The Hash, will not get into the history, is basically a
run or for less athletic, brisk walk, to points throughout Abuja. It
could be a run in the bush or a jaunt around a housing estate. Great
bargain, about US7 for the run, and chop afterwards (all the beer and
food you can drink and eat). Plus there is normally a sponsor who throws
in a tee shirt and door prizes. Meet all kinds of locals and expats.
They also do an annual run up Aso Rock—big rock in Abuja.
5.) The
Dome (on airport road). The Dome is new to town with bowling alleys
(only bowling in West Africa), pool tables, video games and several
restaurants. Great for kids.
6.) Grand Square Supermarket (near
main Mosque). This place came as a great relief to expats in Abuja. It
is new—French owned—and has some of the best bread outside Paris. The
ice cream is a favorite for all in Abuja, there is a nice restaurant
with a great view upstairs. The prices are high—like all in Abuja—but
the meats and cheese selection is the best in Abuja. Amigo’s supermarket
also deserves praise for its service and selection.
7.) Chase
Restaurant Terrace (near Sheraton). I watched riots from the terrace and
entertained many guests at Chase. Chase is consistently a favorite
place for both expats and Nigerians. Great food, great management
(Joseph Dogo, manager is a real pro). Their Sunday brunch (Lebanese and
Chinese) is the best in Abuja. Cherry’s bakery downstairs has the city’s
best pastries.
8.) Yankari National Park. The Park is an easy 7
to 8-hour drive to the east of Abuja. I recommend leaving at around 8am,
stop in Jos to see the National Museum, have lunch at the Ceder Tree
restaurant (good Lebanese and African) then make it to the park in late
afternoon. Take a plunge in the Eden-like Wikki Warm Springs and spend
two days viewing animals and nature.
9.) The Durbar in Kano: Kano
is an easy 5-hour drive north from Abuja. The Durbar is held twice
yearly. It is just amazing and a must for anyone staying in Nigeria. The
Emir of Kano’s (traditional Nigerian ruler) subjects pay homage to the
Emir during this religious holiday. Literally thousands of horsemen in
beautiful garb parade through Kano’s streets. Stay at the Prince Hotel
and enjoy.
10.) Kano City itself. I love Kano for some strange
reason. You can easily spend two to three days tooling around town. It
is an old city with interesting things to do and nice restaurants. Tough
dirty, it is manageable. Stop in Zaria City on the way and see the
Sudanese mud architecture, city walls, and old mosque—it is enclosed in
the new mosque. Check out Zaria’s colorful Emir’s palace.
11.)
Suleja (35 kms away from Abuja on the Kaduna road). Suleja is home to
Zuma Rock (the rock on the back of the 100 naira note (money)). It is
worth a look, see the haunted, abandoned hotel next to the rock. In
Suleja, there are pottery stores. Suleja is famous for its glazed
pottery. About 90 minutes from Suleja is Gwara Falls, great day trip to
falls, take picnic, though no swiming due to water borne diseases.
12.)
Jos or Kaduna (both three hours drives from Abuja). These two cities
are day trips or overnights from Abuja. Jos is stunning; sitting in
Plateau State. There are several waterfalls on the road from Abuja to
Jos. In Jos, see the museums. Stay and eat at the Cedar Tree. In Kaduna,
well there are a few museums, nice public parks, and some good
restaurants. Like Royal Garden hotel for a night or two. Unicorn Chinese
in the Hamdala Hotel is excellent. The French Café and Biblos are very
good restaurants.
13.) The People, Nigerians. Ok a plug for
Nigerians who have made Abuja their home. Nigerians are often called the
Americans of Africa; they are a feisty bunch, and I learned a lot from
them. Abuja is an expensive and complicated place for Nigerians. Many
have moved in to find some type of work with government or live off
family members who have found jobs. Take a trip to a satellite town and
see how many people exist. Conditions are tough, and volunteering to
work at an orphanage or tutoring school kids can really get you in touch
with Nigeria’s crushing poverty, yet resilient people.
14.) The
British Village and British Council. The British village (must pay for
membership) has a really nice restaurant and relaxed weekend atmosphere
(when non-British can go there). Good food and drink. The British
Council has a nice library and internet connection. It also has a great
terrace restaurant.
15.) Tour the National Assembly. Well there
are no formal tours; I don’t think Nigerian elite in general want school
children seeing what they actually do in the Assembly. You can however
contact a Senator of Assemblyperson; just ask someone who may know one.
It is interesting to see this building and talk with these
democratically elected officials. Actually, many are impressive and even
with the problems, Nigeria’s democracy is taking root.
16.)
Happy Hour and Steak at the Sheraton Hotel. The lobby bar has one of the
few happy hours in Abuja; drink a few, then head to the hotel’s great
steak restaurant, pricey, but most expats are making a lot of cash.
17.)
Waikki’s Restaurant (near Sheraton). Ok, this is my favorite place for
drinking and eating. Great Indian food and cold, cold beer. Honorable
mention goes to great ambiance at the Thai restaurant and its terrace
and the outdoor courtyard at Ali’s place at El Bacha, great place for a
large group for Lebanese mesa.
18.) The Best, Best African
Outdoor Place (near Kaduna). Ok, this is a bit tricky, but on the road
from Abuja to Kano there is a great place that few expats stop at; they
should. Once you leave Kaduna on the Zaria road, the rest stop is about
10kms north of Kaduna’s market, right before the first old tollgate
outside Kaduna. Just ask in Kaduna or on the road. The place has an
excellent African/Lebanese place with great roasted chicken and fresh
squeezed OJ. There are about 15 meat salesmen (stalls) cooking anything
from heart or liver to mutton. The Hausa people are known for their
mutton so grab it here. Otherwise try the restaurant. Really one of the
only places with clean bathrooms in northern Nigeria.
19.)
Fabio’s Hair Salon. Everyone in the expat community in Abuja knows Fabio
or ask the concierge at the Hilton or Sheraton. He is Italian, but
spent most of his life in Nigeria. The Italians were big in construction
and even had their own school in Jos. Fabio is expensive, but many
swear by him and his staff. Get your nails done, hair set and just talk.
Honorable mention goes to the Lebanese barbers who come to your house.
Just ask a Lebanese, barbers in Lagos, Abuja, and Kano will come to your
house or hotel. Also there are several masseuses in Abuja, ask expats.
20.)
Bush Bars and Life Camps. There are many small bars in town or a short
drive outside town that normally serve roasted meats, fish and cold
beer; try the bar near the British High Commission. There is also Berger
Life Camp, home to Berger Construction people (they do a monthly BBQ,
have good German food on the weekend). They also do an amazing Christmas
event a few weeks before X-mas. They turn their compound into Christmas
village, complete with German food and beer, crafts, a cooler container
where they serve warm, spiced wine. Berger also employs many Filipinos
who cook up great food and make excellent crafts. Not to be missed. PW
life camp has a Irish pub and pub grub.
Enjoy, and if you find something good, post it to this site.
